Microsoft Unveils $199 'Microsoft Band' Fitness Wearable

[princered]

Why are they all wearing it under their wrists in that video?
I hate it when people wear their watches like that!

Other than late it looks pretty cool, interface looks clean and easy to use, more so dare I say it then apple's, at least they can do the flat look properly.

IT is So annoying when people where there watches like that.. I may flip mine while doing push ups if i'm timing myself. But immediate put it back. It looks weird and feels even more weird.

 

[AppleScruff1]

IT is So annoying when people where there watches like that.. I may flip mine while doing push ups if i'm timing myself. But immediate put it back. It looks weird and feels even more weird.

Not as bad as people wearing baseball caps backwards.

 

[Strange Famous]

Nice

 

[chukronos]

I want one! It looks great, and I love all the functionality. If it can last 48 hours I think I'll get it. I didn't see on the website, how long it will last in watch mode?

 

[SonRK]

I picked one up on a whim because I wanted to keep track of my tennis activity + jogging, etc.

It also lets me read my texts, lets me know who is calling, my calendar, etc. so it seemed neat enough.

So far I am enjoying it a lot! Seems to pick up my driving as "steps" which is a common complaint to most of these fitness bands I hear.

The MAJOR issue I have is that it seems I already scuffed the black plastic area around the screen. I didn't get a zagg protector with my purchase at the store, but I got the duffel bag and $5 starbucks card.

http://i.imgur.com/8DWyG8S.jpg Pic of my scuffed plastic bit around the screen.

 

[AppleScruff1]

I picked one up on a whim because I wanted to keep track of my tennis activity + jogging, etc.

It also lets me read my texts, lets me know who is calling, my calendar, etc. so it seemed neat enough.

So far I am enjoying it a lot! Seems to pick up my driving as "steps" which is a common complaint to most of these fitness bands I hear.

The MAJOR issue I have is that it seems I already scuffed the black plastic area around the screen. I didn't get a zagg protector with my purchase at the store, but I got the duffel bag and $5 starbucks card.

http://i.imgur.com/8DWyG8S.jpg Pic of my scuffed plastic bit around the screen.

It looks like a screen protector is a must.

 

[spazzcat]

It looks like a screen protector is a must.

I hate screen protectors, but I guess I know why they are shipping one with mine...

 

[AppleScruff1]

I hate screen protectors, but I guess I know why they are shipping one with mine...

They were giving a free screen protector if you purchased a Band today at my local MS store. They also had a MS complete plan for $19 that covered it for accidental damage.

 

[SonRK]

Now I don't know if I should complain or not...

I was being pushed to pick up the insurance policy for $30 or whatever. I declined it and I feel like they also happened to conveniently "forget" to toss in the screen protector...

 

[Kavier]

I like the functionality but think it's really ugly.

 

[MacBH928]

I think Apple's aim with the Apple Watch is to transform watches like they transformed what a cellphone is.

Most people are probably just looking for a wearable digital device that can do few tasks very well. Apple had that with iPod Shuffle/Nano if they tweaked it and gave it some extra features but that is not what they have in mind

 

[Xiroteus]

I like the functionality but think it's really ugly.

Even though I don't think it looks bad. Hopefully it will be thinned out a bit over time.

A watch is one device that needs to be light and thin vs a DESKTOP computer!

 

[DoctorFedora]

So, like… does the display rotate into vertical mode if my hands aren't attached to my forearms at a 90° angle?

I know, I know. Crazy edge case.

 

[matrix07]

Engadget and the Verge. Okay, I disagree completely but okay. Forgive me, but I have no idea what you mean with the bolded portion of your comment. Are you saying someone has to be all in on Apple to be an Apple fan? Them or us? I really don't understand the we're not babies comment. What does that relate to? I'm not being sarcastic. I really don't know what you mean.

Not surprised.

Been there done that pal. I used to be a PC user. Used to leisure on sites like Tom's Hardwares and Engadget. But once I knew how stupid most people there are (from the comment section), I switched. I mean when you saw original iPhone Keynote and the only thing you could think of was how to nitpick its small faults to death, then you don't deserved to be called a technology lover, no matter how many companies you have gadgets from. And I don't want to associate myself with those crowd/clowns, period.

 

[Pewpewpew]

Can you store music on it and play it on Bluetooth headphones?

 

[i84CTBound]

Nike and Apple Wearable. http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/oct/23/nike-apple-wearable-technology

 

[spazzcat]

Now I don't know if I should complain or not...

I was being pushed to pick up the insurance policy for $30 or whatever. I declined it and I feel like they also happened to conveniently "forget" to toss in the screen protector...

I think you have 30 or 45 day to buy it and it only cost $19.

 

[macjosh]

Yes, but looks like it also does less.

Are you kidding? GPS, pulse, lots of sensors - those are actual features, while iWatch is just a toy...

Gotta give up something.. Looks more like a Fit-bit.

Apple Watch is more like the swiss army knife of sensors.

iWatch has nice display, heart rate sensor and... nothing else.
You won't be able to take it for running without a phone, while Microsoft band is just perfect for such a task.
But right, you can't send someone your pulse - iWatch's killer feature

Honestly I don't know why a person would wear an Apple Watch for fashion instead of a Rolex, Longines, Movado, etc....

I like that MS went orthogonal to the whole 'fashion' thing and went for the best smart band + best Health repository on the planet instead.

I definitely agree: Apple tries to replace expensive watches, what is insane since it's ugly comparing to any traditional watch. Also, Apple failed at creating a great, portable health/activity tracking device.
And now we have Microsoft, capable of everything a jogger would dream about - at price 2-3 times lower than other handheld GPS devices.
Perfect move, I WANT IT!

 

[iPadCary]

It's the simplest thing u can get....
No one can stuff this thing up even if they tried.

Let's hope so, 'cause I just bought one. lol

 

[macjosh]

But when are you going to charge it then? D:

That's obvious - while I'm at work...

I don't understand this urge to track sleep.

I have used it with the Jawbone UP but saw absolutely no reason to use it other than that it was kind of fun the first few times.

Also when you charge it, the thing will have to come off your wrist anyway.

Maybe you simply don't need sleep tracking... I appreciate that it tries to wake me up when I'm most likely to get up without whining. I like it that it wakes me up without waking up my wife and children. I hate it for not being a watch - I still have to take my phone out of pocket to see what time is it.
And who would suspect that microsoft will come with rescue

 

[840quadra]

Are you kidding? GPS, pulse, lots of sensors - those are actual features, while iWatch is just a toy...



iWatch has nice display, heart rate sensor and... nothing else.
You won't be able to take it for running without a phone, while Microsoft band is just perfect for such a task.
But right, you can't send someone your pulse - iWatch's killer feature

You attack the Apple watch for what it lacks, yet list items it actually has. Additionally, it's clear from both brand's product information pages, that Apple's product is intended to be a smart watch with fitness features, while the Microsoft band, is a fitness product that has Smartwatch features.

Contrary to popular belief, many people who have reviewed the Apple Watch demo, or have spoken with Apple about the product, have stated that it will support many functions without being connected to a phone. While I 100% agree with you that the lack of GPS is huge, it's not a deal breaker for me personally.

The other sensors (accelerometer, Heart rate sensors, etc.), and ability to play music stored on the device over bluetooth headphones, will make it a good fitness option for people that don't track their workouts via GPS. For me personally, I don't need GPS tracking when I am on a stationary bike, elliptical, treadmill , or while running flights (stairs), as it is pointless. Like workout styles, different individuals will have unique key features they seek out from a fitness wearable, which makes all of the choices on the market quite awesome.

 

[TeamGenius]

Maybe you simply don't need sleep tracking... I appreciate that it tries to wake me up when I'm most likely to get up without whining. I like it that it wakes me up without waking up my wife and children. I hate it for not being a watch - I still have to take my phone out of pocket to see what time is it.
And who would suspect that microsoft will come with rescue

Go to the settings and turn Watch Mode to On.

 

[macjosh]

I think you are a bit too quick in drawing that conclusion. Apple is targeting a slightly different segment than the MS band is doing. We can be absoluetly positive that Apple did a thorough market research (many companies do not have the resources for that) to confirm their Apple Watch addresses a large part of the market.

Actually, it looks like Apple forgot to run any market research
Creating a thing that neither is functional (requires iphone for almost everything) nor beautiful (face it, looks no better than any cheap CASIO from 80s) and still very expensive seems to be stupid idea.
If someone has $350 to spend, he'll rather get a nice traditional watch (still cheaper that iWatch) than a gadget that hardly can do anything and has to be recharged twice a day.

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Go to the settings and turn Watch Mode to On.

Are you writing about Jawbone or Microsoft? What I wrote is that I hate Jawbone for not being a watch

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The big catch with the "48 hour" charge claim: that doesn't include use of GPS.

That's obvious - but when do you need GPS? For fitness - what will take an hour or two during the day. I'm sure it will be just perfect to recharge it at work while we're sitting at the desk.

 

[peterdevries]

Actually, it looks like Apple forgot to run any market research
Creating a thing that neither is functional (requires iphone for almost everything) nor beautiful (face it, looks no better than any cheap CASIO from 80s) and still very expensive seems to be stupid idea.
If someone has $350 to spend, he'll rather get a nice traditional watch (still cheaper that iWatch) than a gadget that hardly can do anything and has to be recharged twice a day.

You do know that your personal opinion does not nessecarily applies to the rest of the planet right? You might not like it (and neither do I that much) but to say it is a stupid idea based on your own feelings seems a bit short-sighted to me.

 

[macjosh]

Don't think of it as merely a health/fitness band, but a computer on your wrist.

A computer that does... what? Nothing actually, if you don't have much more powerful unit in your pocket.
The problem with iWatch is that it's rather a highly-priced toy than a usable tool.