Microsoft Band $199 at Microsoft US

[Duke_Nukem]

Microsoft has just announced the Microsoft Band and Microsoft Health. The Microsoft Band is a fitness tracking wearable that goes on sale tomorrow for $199. You can pick it up on your local Microsoft Store or online at the Microsoft Store website. Microsoft Health is a new cloud-based service that runs the numbers from the data collected by the Microsoft Band.

The Microsoft Band has 10 sensors and is able to track things like heart rate, step and general movement. But some novel sensors give you the ability to measure UV exposure and a galvanic skin response measure to track stress. The fitness tracker will last 48 hours on a single charge. You can wear it all day and night to track sleep as well.

Microsoft Health not only collects the data from the Band for crunching, but is available on Windows Phone, Android and iOS as a companion app. This app allows you customize your Band. You can also use the app to view notifications on your wrist and interact with Cortana.

Microsoft officially announces fitness tracker and health service

Unlike many of the more recent smartwatches which have recently come to market, the Band’s dazzling array of sensors suggests a primary focus on fitness-tracking rather than attempting to be a multi-purpose smartphone accessory.

And whereas others work largely with one mobile operating system, the Band and its companion Health app are cross-platform.

Microsoft’s cloud-based health service is also a key differentiator; harnessing Redmond’s strength in cloud computing, it will offer users deep insights of data gathered from other fitness devices and rival smartphones too.

Microsoft unveils $199 wearable fitness device

Microsoft Band: Read the backstory on the evolution and development...

Might have to see if I can get one next week.

[Duke_Nukem]

[Duke_Nukem]

And the link to the device on the Microsoft site

http://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-band/en-us

NOTE this device is cross compatible which makes it hugely unique.

Wonder if it has any Gadgeteer sockets on it

[hagster]

Did @ Gary design this? I see no way you can comfortably rotate this screen to read it the right way up.

[Dave_McLaughlin]

@hagster

Did @ Gary design this? I see no way you can comfortably rotate this screen to read it the right way up.

Are you on Gary’s list already?

You will be now.

LOL

[_Peter]

… shoot … can only be bought in the states … for now … they have to optimize their global presence a bit … the ms store here couldn’t even tell me when, if at all, it will be coming to mainland europe … :’( :’(

[Gary_Beaver]

@ hagster - @ Dave McLaughlin, yep he’s made it to the official list! :whistle:

[devhammer]

@hagster

Did @ Gary design this? I see no way you can comfortably rotate this screen to read it the right way up.

Underside of the wrist, not on top, so should be plenty readable, assuming they’re using a good sunlight-readable screen.

[Gary_Beaver]

@ PiWi - Buy something from our website, I will go to the MS store and then ship it to you! :think:

[hagster]

@devhammer

@hagster

Did @ Gary design this? I see no way you can comfortably rotate this screen to read it the right way up.

Underside of the wrist, not on top, so should be plenty readable, assuming they’re using a good sunlight-readable screen.

Gangster style!

[mhectorgato]

For me, don’t like the orientation and I don’t like the price for a fitness device.

Also, don’t like the fact it’s not waterproof (even if only for 33 feet).

Otherwise I do like it, not as much as a Radius mind you

Image from: Microsoft Band and Microsoft Health: The $199 all-platform fitness band | Ars Technica

[Architect]

I’ll wait for Justin’s version of the Band.

[Duke_Nukem]

@andre.m

@Gary

@ PiWi - Buy something from our website, I will go to the MS store and then ship it to you! :think:

for which price?

Depends on which list your on

[Designer]

One upon a time there was a watch called Agent !

[godefroi]

I can’t help but think these “watches” are a solution looking for a problem. If you can’t be bothered (as I can’t) to go out and exercise, I doubt that a $200 wristband will change that.

Maybe I’m wrong.

[ppatierno]

I can’t found any official information online but …

It’s based on a ARM Cortex-M4 MCU so the only well known Microsoft OS/platform used could be .Net Micro Framework. The Cortex-M4 hasn’t the MMU so it can’t support RTOS like Windows Embedded Compact … and of course Windows 8 (even if version for “IoT”)

Any information about that ?

Paolo.

[ppatierno]

@ andre.m

Of course when I said “not support RTOS like Windows CE…” I spoke only about Windows CE not “lightweight” RTOS like FreeRTOS, RTX Keil, MQX Freescale, TinyOS, Contiki, RIOT and so on.

I didn’t think the possibility that Microsoft used a non Microsoft OS/Platform to make this product but of course it’s possible.

However Agent Smartwatch (from Secret Labs) uses .Net Micro Framework …

[Brett]

I saw a post that C was used. Our runtime is straight ANSI C. No comment on anything else mentioned:) | Hacker News

[ppatierno]

@ Brett

I can’t find any reference to Microsoft Band …

[hagster]

@ ppatierno - click 'parent’s a few times. It is about the band.