Microsoft Band Functions as a Fitness Tracker: Features Revealed
Smartwatches are slowly becoming a trend among tech companies since early this year with the unveiling of a number of other smartwatches like the Moto 360, the Apple Watch, and the G Watch. Now, Microsoft has joined the fray and released its first wrist tech months after announcement.
The Microsoft Band is unlike other smartwatches though as it functions mainly as a fitness tracker, and a good one at that too. While Microsoft has certainly been lagging behind with the mobile market, it might just have wedged itself firmly into the competition with the Band.
One of the most noticable feature of the Microsoft Band is its capability to not only sync with Windows-based devices, but also with the iPhone's iOS and the Android phones too. Essentially it can attract not only Window-based users, but also those who use the iOS or Android.
Other prominent features include a fitness tracker, a GPS, and a heart-rate monitor. It also has a color touchscreen and can display notifications from the synced device.
Interested customers in the U.S. don't have to wait to get the Microsoft Band though as it's already available for $199. The UK and Australia might have to wait some time before it's available but most likely it will sell for £125 and AU$230 respectively.
Since it functions primarily as a fitness tracker, it is designed like one with an adjustable plastic band, a long rectangular display, and two 100mAh batteries. Unlike other smartwatches, the whole Band contains hardware, with two of the batteries at either side of the thick strap, and the heart-tracking optical LEDs.