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Microsoft
has officially entered the wearables space. The world's largest
software company has launched a device called 'Microsoft Band' that will
allow users to monitor their fitness and exercise regime.
The wrist-worn device has sensors that monitor pulse rate, measure calorie burn and track sleep quality. Here are some important things you need to know about the device.
The wrist-worn device has sensors that monitor pulse rate, measure calorie burn and track sleep quality. Here are some important things you need to know about the device.
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What is it?
Microsoft
Band weighs in at 2.12 ounces with a width of 19mm and thickness of
8.7mm. The display screen is 11mm by 33mm and features a touch-enabled
TFT full-color display. The band has 64MB internal storage and an ARM
Cortex M4 MCU processor.
There are ten sensors built into the device: An optical heart rate sensor, 3-axis accelerometer, gyrometer, GPS, ambient light sensor, skin temperature sensor, UV sensor, capacitive sensor, microphone and a galvanic skin response sensor.
You can also set email, text, calendar, social, incoming calls and alarm notifications to pop up on your wrist.
Microsoft has also partnered with several companies like Starbucks ? which will let you scan your wrist instead of your Starbucks card. Microsoft Band also syncs data with RunKeeper and MyFitnessPal, plus Gold's Gym, where you can get workout prompts while tracking your fitness.
You'll also get access to Cortana if paired to a Windows Phone 8.1 ? meaning you can take notes or set reminders with your voice. She can also give driving directions and more just like she would from a mobile device.
There are ten sensors built into the device: An optical heart rate sensor, 3-axis accelerometer, gyrometer, GPS, ambient light sensor, skin temperature sensor, UV sensor, capacitive sensor, microphone and a galvanic skin response sensor.
You can also set email, text, calendar, social, incoming calls and alarm notifications to pop up on your wrist.
Microsoft has also partnered with several companies like Starbucks ? which will let you scan your wrist instead of your Starbucks card. Microsoft Band also syncs data with RunKeeper and MyFitnessPal, plus Gold's Gym, where you can get workout prompts while tracking your fitness.
You'll also get access to Cortana if paired to a Windows Phone 8.1 ? meaning you can take notes or set reminders with your voice. She can also give driving directions and more just like she would from a mobile device.
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03
Microsoft Health platform
Along with the Band, Microsoft has a new health initiative in the form of an app called Microsoft Health.
Microsoft Health pulls data from multiple health and fitness devices into one cloud location. From there, it will recommend different workout plans, sleeping routines and more based on the information. The 'Intelligence Engine' will continue to learn from your habits and over time, give you even more precise advice.
Microsoft Health is available to download on Android, iOS and Windows Phone.
Microsoft Health pulls data from multiple health and fitness devices into one cloud location. From there, it will recommend different workout plans, sleeping routines and more based on the information. The 'Intelligence Engine' will continue to learn from your habits and over time, give you even more precise advice.
Microsoft Health is available to download on Android, iOS and Windows Phone.
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Pricing and availability
The
Microsoft Band is available starting October 30 in limited quantities
from MicrosoftStore.com and physical Microsoft Stores in the US for
$199.
So far a global rollout hasn't been announced, but expect it soon.
So far a global rollout hasn't been announced, but expect it soon.
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Compatibility
Interestingly, the Microsoft Band will be a cross-platform fitness tracker.
The band will work with Windows Phone 8.1, iOS 7.1 and 8, and Android 4.3-4.4 devices all over Bluetooth. Some features, like Cortana on the Windows Phone, require a data or Wi-Fi connection.
The band will work with Windows Phone 8.1, iOS 7.1 and 8, and Android 4.3-4.4 devices all over Bluetooth. Some features, like Cortana on the Windows Phone, require a data or Wi-Fi connection.
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Early comparison
It
seems like Microsoft is in a good position to join the top wearables.
Though it's expensive, it's packed with a ton of sensors and could
almost be a smartwatch because of all its different notification
features.
In fact, the Microsoft Band comes close to acting and looking like the Samsung Gear Fit. But the band has the upper hand in allowing cross-platform compatibility, having GPS and looking a tad less bulky.
The addition of a health platform is also nice and provides quite a bit of potential with its ability to constantly learn and suggest different things. This app could very well be the the band's defining feature setting it apart and above the rest of the pack.
In fact, the Microsoft Band comes close to acting and looking like the Samsung Gear Fit. But the band has the upper hand in allowing cross-platform compatibility, having GPS and looking a tad less bulky.
The addition of a health platform is also nice and provides quite a bit of potential with its ability to constantly learn and suggest different things. This app could very well be the the band's defining feature setting it apart and above the rest of the pack.
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