I like my Microsoft Band. It's not particularly comfortable to wear during the day (I just wear it exercising and sleeping) but I love the amount of data it provides. It's also not very durable - my Band 1 is falling apart (but still works without problems) and a lot of other people have the same problem. I'm planning on purchasing an Apple Watch soon as a replacement but my Band has been good.
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Microsoft Likely Discontinuing Microsoft Band Wearable Device
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I have the first version and very happy with it. I was going to get rid of it when I got my Apple Watch, but the Apple Watch HR was so inaccurate for me that I still use the Microsoft band.
Pity if Microsoft gets rid of it, cause it was one of the better activity trackers.
Pity if Microsoft gets rid of it, cause it was one of the better activity trackers.
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It was actually a pretty good device. My wife had one of the original version 1 we got for $50 on clearance when Band 2 was released. At the time very, very few of these fitness devices had optical heartrate sensors, especially ones as good as the one in the Band.
When priced at $250, though, it stood no chance against the more capable and comfortable Apple Watch.
When priced at $250, though, it stood no chance against the more capable and comfortable Apple Watch.
That's a smart watch.
Activity trackers actually solve a problem for those into fitness.
Apparently there were a lot of Band 2 returns. Mary Jo Foley tweeted something about this. I think Microsoft is giving up on phones and wearables but I think they're all in on Surface and definitely want to challenge Apple in the Pro market. Sad to see Apple essentially taking this niche market for granted.
Microsoft Band is a fitness band, not a smartwatch.
It would be more appropriate to compare it to Fitbit.
Smart watches can't also be activity trackers?
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What problem is VR solving?
The Microsoft Band, the wearable device Microsoft first introduced in late 2014, is being quietly phased out of existence. As of today, Microsoft has removed all Microsoft Band models from the Microsoft Online Store and has eliminated the Band Software Development Kit.
In a statement given to ZDNet, a Microsoft representative said that the company has sold through all of its Band 2 inventory and does not have plans to release a new Band wearable in 2016.
Following the Microsoft Band's 2014 release, Microsoft continued development on the device and released a second-generation model in October of 2015. Priced at $250, the second-generation Microsoft Band featured an optical heart rate monitor for measuring heart rate, an accelerometer and gyroscope for measuring movement, GPS, skin temperature sensors, and more.
It received poor reviews for its price point, design, battery life, and lack of utility, and despite Microsoft's efforts to push sales with an Apple Watch trade-in program, the Microsoft Band 2 failed to catch on.
Previous information shared by ZDNet has suggested Microsoft disbanded the team that was working to bring Windows 10 to the Microsoft Band and has relocated some of the hardware team. Sources have also told the site that Microsoft is planning to phase out the fitness band and has no plans to work on a Band 3.
Article Link: Microsoft Likely Discontinuing Microsoft Band Wearable Device
Microsoft has earned back a lot of my respect. I use Office all the time. It is a capable product. The Surface is an interesting product as well. The success of the Xbox speaks for itself.
But, and I am not kidding, I just ordered my Series 2 Apple Watch (space gray aluminum sport) an hour ago.
Oh, Saturday at my local mall, they opened a new Apple Store (replacing a smaller one). I took pictures of the crowd at the new store and one of the almost unnoticed Microsoft Kiosk store nearby at the mall's main entrance.
Microsoft just hasn't got it figured out yet. Maybe they will catch a break another year.
This site started to go downhill several years ago, most of the articles have no relevance nowadays.
The Safari push notification on my Mac said "Microsoft Likely Discontinuing Microsoft". Thanks for the laugh, MR! 
In my case, no, my Apple Watch HR is so inaccurate for me , i need an activity tracker on my other hand.
That's not my point, if I want an activity tracker I don't need it to be a smart watch and cost X amount more.
Activity trackers solve a fitness tracking problem , which in the past was ackward HR sensors, what problem does the smart watch solve?
I'm not sad since I didn't even know MS had a band. As someone else said, great marketing. I at least knew what the Zune was...
I think you're referring to the Surface tablet, not Xbox.
Apple had nothing to do with the Xbox brand and it's success. Xbox was created out of both Nintendo & Sony turning Microsoft away from entering into their console platforms. With the demise of Sega at the time it was a perfect entry point. So much so that they hired Peter Moore from Sega to help make the Xbox brand a success.
Apple also had more to do with Microsoft's retail store success. Hell they copied everything about it, all the way down to the "Answer bar" aka Genius bar.
and even more important: hardware AND software support from the same company.
Example:
You upgrade your Acer Laptop to Windows 10 ( Microsoft more or less forces you to upgrade from Win 7 ). Now your printer or your GPU driver stops working. Acer support tells you it's microsofts fault. Microsoft tells you to contact HP/Nvidia/AMD. Those guys tell you Acer has to provide driver support.
I'm exaggerating a little bit here. But it can be a huge mess if something crucial stops working.