Just as previously rumored, Microsoft is also interested in the wearable space, and the company just launched a smart device for your wrist that’s supposed to offer health-related features at an affordable price. The Microsoft Band is not a smartwatch, but rather a fitness… well, band, that’s supposed to let users track workout data.
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The Microsoft Band is powered by Microsoft’s Health app, which lets users track heart rate, steps, calorie burn and sleep quality. Furthermore, the band offers notifications, such as incoming calls, texts, emails, calendar alerts, social updates and others, “right on your wrist,” just like other similar devices.
The device comes with “cutting-edge” technology, Microsoft says, such as built-in GPS and 24-hour heart rate monitoring.
Specs include a 1.4-inch 320 x 106 color touchscreen display, GPS, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, dual 100mAh batteries (offer up to 48 hours of normal use and are fully charged in 1.5 hours), magnetic USB connector, and dust-and water-resistance. The Microsoft Band is packed with sensors, including an optical heart rate sensor, skin temperature sensor, UV sensor, galvanic skin response sensor, 3-axis accelerometer, Gyrometer, GPS, ambient light sensor and capacitive sensor.
The fitness band comes with Windows Phone, iOS and Android companion apps, and can take Cortana-powered voice commands when paired with a Windows Phone handset.
The Microsoft Band costs just $199, and will be available for sale on the company’s website starting with Thursday.
A promo video showing the Microsoft Band in action follow below, with more details about Microsoft’s first wearable device available at the source link.
