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Microsoft Enters the Wearables Market With 'Band'

Posted by Soulskill on from the competing-for-the-forearm dept.

Microsoft has announced the availability of "Microsoft Band," a wearable device that goes on the wrist. It's designed to do health- and fitness-related tasks, like monitoring heart rate and how well a wearer sleeps, and its on-board GPS lets users map their run/bike routes. The company says Band plays nicely with iOS and Android devices in addition to Windows phones. It also has full support for viewing phone notifications and calendar alerts, and a built-in microphone enables queries through the Cortana personal assistant software. The display is rectangular, 11mm x 33mm (0.43" x 1.3"), and has a resolution of 320x106. They claim a battery life of 48 hours, with a charge time of 1.5 hours or less. The device costs $200.

4 of 135 comments (clear)

  1. Device by Translation+Error · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Now, this makes more sense than something that tries to cram everything you can do on your smart phone/tablet into a tiny screen strapped to your wrist. The wrist is a convenient space to mount a device. For most applications, it just isn't a convenient space to use said device.

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    When someone says, "Any fool can see ..." they're usually exactly right.
  2. Picked mine up yesterday by Bugler412 · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Go ahead and accuse me of being a fanboy, but this is the first smartwatch in my view to hit the right balance of functionality and design that I would be willing to wear regularly. It's function because MS didn't overreach and try to duplicate the smartphone in a tiny wrist device, it's an adjunct. It's also the first wearable not hideously designed like some sort of oversized geek bling. So go ahead and hate away MS haters, this is a good device and MS squarely hit the mark for me at least.

  3. Re:its like theyre getting worse. by CanHasDIY · · Score: 1, Insightful

    So log in to post, thus earning a chance at mod points, so you can be, in your own mind, the one Guy who uses them correctly.

    Posting as AC then bitching about the mod system is like staying home on election day then whining that your vote didn't count.

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    An enigma, wrapped in a riddle, shrouded in bacon and cheese
  4. Where's the API? by Lumpy · · Score: 1, Insightful

    Let me guess, any apps for this will require the Craptastic Microsoft development suite. Epic fail.

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    Do not look at laser with remaining good eye.