Microsoft has unveiled its first modern wearable device. The Microsoft Band is, as you might guess from the name, a wrist worn smart band. Its main purpose is the area of fitness tracking and helping users achieve wellness goals via integration with the new Microsoft Health platform. Microsoft's fitness wearable works with multiple platforms including iOS, Android and Windows Phone. It can also keep you connected via your smartphone by offering 'smart notifications' including calls, texts, emails, calendar and social updates. With Windows Phone you can even interact with Cortana.
The official Microsoft Band reveal came hot on the heels of 'leaks' of the health focussed apps starting to appear in the various app stores last night. The app information snippets included details of the Microsoft fitness band, which was at the time still under wraps.
Microsoft Health is a platform with the purpose of making sense of all the biometric and fitness data people harvest from their wearable devices. The multi-platform software supports UP by Jawbone, MapMyFitness, MyFitnessPal and RunKeeper at launch and will be updated with support for more devices as they arrive on the market. Microsoft Health is said to "unite data like steps, calories, heart rate and more from different health and fitness devices and services to give you powerful insights on the data collected," giving the user a holistic view.
The Microsoft Band also works with Microsoft Health of course. The wristband contains 10 smart sensors and can monitor health aspects such as heart rate, calorie burn, sleep quality and more. Other sensors include a built-in GPS and a UV monitor.
The Microsoft Band has the following specifications:
- Band material: Thermal plastic elastomer with adjustable fit clasp
- Display: Size: 11mm x 33mm, Type: Capacitive 1.4" TFT full color display, Resolution: 320 x 106 pixels
- Sensors: Optical heart rate sensor, 3-axis accelerometer/gyro, Gyrometer, GPS, Ambient light sensor, Skin temperature sensor, UV sensor, Capacitive sensor, Galvanic skin response, Microphone.
- Additional technology: Microphone, Haptic vibration motor
- Connectivity: Bluetooth 4.0 (Low Energy)
- Supported mobile devices: Works with Windows Phone 8.1 update with Bluetooth, iOS 7.1 and later: iPhone 4S, 5, 5C, 5S, 6, 6 Plus and Android 4.3-4.4 phones, with Bluetooth.
- Battery: 48 hours of normal use; advanced functionality like GPS use will impact battery performance, Average charge time: Full charge in less than 1.5 hours, Battery type: Dual 100mAh rechargeable lithium-ion polymer batteries
- Charge cable connector: Magnetically-coupled connector to USB
- Operating temperature ranges: -10°C to 40°C (14°F to 104°F)
- Maximum operating altitude: Approximately 12,000m
- Warranty: 1 year limited warranty for manufacturing defects
- Water resistance: Dust- and splash-resistant
- What's in the box: Microsoft Band, USB magnetic connector cable, Safety & warranty document, Quick Start Guide
Yusulef Mehdi, CVP of Devices & Services Marketing asserts that "Wearables will return people from the tech to the human side of life. We're going to see a lot of passion around these devices".
The Microsoft Band is available now, in limited quantities, in the U.S. online and in store at $199.
