Microsoft Likely Discontinuing Microsoft Band Wearable Device

[apolloa]

So, this story sites ONE website for it's source, and then proclaims when Microsoft state they won't release a new band 'this year' it's been spun to they ditched it all together, oh dear, a fact is that Microsoft won't be releasing new Surface products until next year when Kaby Lake is out, I guess it's beyond the comprehension of Apple fans to think a new Band would be released then as well.

 

[stanhope]

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

Yet the Apple watch is in trouble LOL who makes up this sh t? LOL

 

[PinkyMacGodess]

trying to read text that ran across your wrist rather that along your arm (90 degrees).

I like one of the Garmin wearables, but it looks like the display shows perpendicular to the arm which seems so crazy. The (naturally) more expensive one has the display running the 'right way'...

 

[apolloa]

Now it's almost as obsolete as the Xbox One is anywhere outside of the United States.

Oh dear, you need to read some none Apple news sites:

http://www.playstationlifestyle.net...-in-the-uk-original-ps4-price-dropped-to-149/

Stop talking fud.

 

[AxiomaticRubric]

R.I.P. Microsoft Band 2016

"We Never Knew Thee"​

(copied from the headstone next to the Microsoft Zune grave)

 

[aristobrat]

The only surviving wearables will be the multipurpose ones with built-in cellular to operate untethered from smartphone like the Galaxy Gear and LG Urbane.

$10/month extra to my AT&T phone bill to do that...

Hope Apple does like the iPads and makes models that have cellular for folks that want it, but I won't be one of them.

 

[Jimmy James]

At this point, Microsoft could really use a mobile strategy.

Ballmer is confident in their mobile strategy.

 

[groove-agent]

Another failure from Microsoft to copy others (remember the Zune?). I had a look at the band at Best Buy and thought it was decent but oh well. They seem to have good ideas but really bad implementation.

 

[spazzcat]

This. Even if they didn't fall apart, the physical finish was not very durable. My year-old Band 2 "band" (equivalent to the Apple Watch "band") looks very bad. The "band" is also not replaceable, since it contains sensors, charging connection, and (Band 2) battery.

I've moved on to the Apple Watch 2, but haven't found sleep monitoring software as good as on the Band. Any suggestions, anyone?

For what it's worth, the original Band was introduced more as an experiment than as a robust product; Microsoft was taken by surprise by the sales volume. What their intent might be now, I have no idea, but it would be hard for them to re-enter this market now.

Sleep tracking is big missing feature on AW.

 

[Stella]

I like one of the Garmin wearables, but it looks like the display shows parallel to t he arm which seems so crazy.

Which Garmin product is that?

 

[spazzcat]

The feature I use on my Band 2 every night is sleep tracking. It also has a pretty good stand alone GPS tracking function, plus full time heart rate monitor. Apple Watch (version 2 no less) will have GPS, when they ship. Sleep tracking, nope. Full time heart rate, I don't think so, but I would have to check.

Yes, the Apple Watch has Apps, but for my purposes, the Band does what the Watch does not. I am sad to see it go.

The band doesn't have full time heart rate, it has the same as the AW. Also, HR is way more accurate on AW. The real short coming of AW is the lack of sleep tracking, but there are apps that do it. Not sure how Apple missed that boat.

 

[sracer]

Another failure from Microsoft to copy others (remember the Zune?). I had a look at the band at Best Buy and thought it was decent but oh well. They seem to have good ideas but really bad implementation.

If you think that the Zune was a copy of others (I assume you mean the iPod), then you clearly never owned one.

 

[Mascots]

I still don't understand why the Band 2 exists?

They shouldn't have produced the second generation if they weren't even going to give it a solid effort.

 

[max.ine]

Are you really arguing that the Xbox is only successful because Bungie once made Mac games, therefore, Microsoft has Apple to thank for the Xbox's success?

More or less. That's why I used the term "arguably" in my first post.

 

[GeneralChang]

Ballmer is confident in their mobile strategy.

Him leaving was the best thing to happen to Microsoft in recent memory.

 

[bdkennedy1]

One less thing to sell in their empty stores.

 

[apolloa]

Another failure from Microsoft to copy others (remember the Zune?). I had a look at the band at Best Buy and thought it was decent but oh well. They seem to have good ideas but really bad implementation.

Please do tell, who else makes a smart band? One with all the features of the Surface Band... I'll be waiting...
[doublepost=1475528680][/doublepost]

The band doesn't have full time heart rate, it has the same as the AW. Also, HR is way more accurate on AW. The real short coming of AW is the lack of sleep tracking, but there are apps that do it. Not sure how Apple missed that boat.

According to Microsofts website it does have continuous heart rate monitoring.

 

[AndyUnderscoreR]

Had to happen Zuner or later.

 

[farewelwilliams]

And yet people ask why users are so sticky with Apple and don't venture outside of the garden. This is why. Just like Nest products, Revolv, and Glass. Just like hundreds of phones that stopped receiving support after 6 months on the market. Just like the Kin. And Jawbone.

I remember giving up my iPod Touch for a Zune HD. That was screwy.

 

[WhatUp?]

Microsoft is quietly phasing Microsoft out of existence.

 

[Mtmspa]

I think Microsoft's only first-party device that will stay in production is the Xbox, which arguably would have never succeeded if not for Apple.

And yet people ask why users are so sticky with Apple and don't venture outside of the garden. This is why. Just like Nest products, Revolv, and Glass. Just like hundreds of phones that stopped receiving support after 6 months on the market. Just like the Kin. And Jawbone.

Don't forget the iPod killer Zune.
[doublepost=1475529853][/doublepost]

Like the smartphone killing off single purpose devices like stand-alone GPS, camera, PMP, flashlight, etc. we're going to start seeing consolidation of wearables as the market matures. The only surviving wearables will be the multipurpose ones with built-in cellular to operate untethered from smartphone like the Galaxy Gear and LG Urbane.

Good one. Gear and Urbane? Please tell us you were joking.

 

[CarlJ]

Wearables are a solution in search of a problem.

You misspelled, "Wearables don't appeal to me."

I like my Apple Watch, and I'm happy to wear it every day. It gives me effortless access to notifications, I'm getting more exercise than I did before, and oh, it tells the time, too. Also my nieces find Mickey Mouse endlessly entertaining - I kinda wish I hadn't shown them that.

 

[SeanfromChicago]

I disagree. It was just overpriced solution to fitness tracking, which is very valid market.

Perhaps you are thinking of Apple Watch, which sets more ambitious goals.

And yet people ask why users are so sticky with Apple and don't venture outside of the garden. This is why. Just like Nest products, Revolv, and Glass. Just like hundreds of phones that stopped receiving support after 6 months on the market. Just like the Kin. And Jawbone.

The band was one of the best sensors collected in a single device. It's way better at sleep monitoring than the Iwatch or Fitbit. Honestly it was great when paired with a Windows phone. Microsoft only cares about the cloud and has lost its way.

 

[CarlJ]

Don't forget the iPod killer Zune.

No, no, THE ZUNE WILL RISE AGAIN!!1! I'm totally serial! Don't you remember when Microsoft held a funeral for the iPhone? And then iPhones fell out of favor and the Windows Phone reigned supreme?

 

[Three141]

I'm not surprised, if they are stopping with the phone I hope they continue to throw it all at the Surface line and Xbox hardware.

 

[Mac 128]

I didn't know about this product. Nice Marketing, Microsoft.

I think bands like FitBit does a much better job of Marketing. Microsoft is the last brand an individual thinks of when it comes to fitness. Reviews did tend to suggest it was a good product.

The Surface is also a good product which IS in a device category that people tend to associate with the Microsoft brand, which is why it will continue to be a successful product for them.