Microsoft Officially Unveils Its First-Ever Wearable Device: The $199 Microsoft Band

Chuck Bednar for redOrbit.com – Your Universe Online
Microsoft has officially unveiled a device that will allow users to monitor their heart rate, calories, sun exposure and other fitness-related information, marking the company’s first entry into the wearable technology market.
Reports of the wrist-worn device, which can function for up to two full days on a single charge, first surfaced less than two weeks ago. At the time, it was unknown what the name and cost of the device would be, but according to Reuters, the Redmond, Washington tech giant has since revealed that the new Microsoft Band will cost $199.
Furthermore, limited quantities of the gadgets will go on sale Thursday at both Microsoft’s physical and online stores, said Ina Fried of Re/Code.
Microsoft Band, which Fried said somewhat resembles the Samsung Gear Fit, will feature 10 tracking sensors that will measure heart rate, sun exposure and stress levels. She added that it will connect to a Microsoft Health fitness tracking service, and can be used on iOS and Android devices through a companion app.
Mike Beasley of 9to5Mac reported Wednesday that Microsoft Band would feature a 310 x 102 resolution display, 132 different backgrounds, and the ability to get phone notifications and create reminders using Microsoft’s Cortana virtual assistant. Furthermore, he revealed that the Microsoft Health app would use the device’s hardware to monitor health-related data such as the number of steps taken, heart rate and even sleep quality.
Screenshots for the device were leaked on the Mac App Store prior to the announcement, according to CNET’s Steven Musil, and the company had revealed via social media that it would be hosting fitness-related activities and prizes at all US Microsoft stores on Thursday starting at 10am local time. Since then, the official announcement has been made.
“Wearable devices such as smartwatches and smart glasses have commanded a great deal of consumers’ attention and manufacturers’ imagination in recent months,” Musil said. “But Microsoft seems to be focused on one of the key selling points that other players in the crowded smartwatch arena have already seized upon: health.”
While Microsoft rivals Apple, Google and Samsung have all entered the fitness-related market with their own devices, BBC News noted that Microsoft Band is somewhat distinctive because it will function with all major mobile operating systems and will connect with Facebook and Twitter.
“Consumers now have an overwhelming choice of health-related cloud platforms to choose from,” CCS Insight analyst Ben Wood told BBC News. “It’s going to be a tough decision to choose whether to place their loyalty with Apple, Google or Microsoft given the immaturity of all three platforms. Furthermore, once they choose a platform they risk locking themselves into a long term commitment if they want to keep a lifetime of health-related data in one place.”
This is not Microsoft’s first foray into the realm of digital health tracking, Fried said. In 2007, the company launched HealthVault, However, HealthVault is more focused on medical records than personal fitness data, she added, and the company reports that the new Microsoft Band service can actually connect with HealthVault as well.
“Microsoft hopes the features will grow over time. It’s working with a bunch of partners, including MapMyFitness, RunKeeper, Jawbone and Starbucks, with the latter allowing users to pay for their coffee with a gift card barcode on the watch,” Fried added, noting that weather and stocks are also available through the new device. “A broader software development kit is planned for January.”
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