Microsoft Band: Fitness/Smartwatch pics and info ($199 pricetag)

[Lloydbm41]

Great news, thanks. Now the only question is how accurate it is, and also if there is any lag. My main use of a HR monitor is for interval training when I may switch from a jog to a full sprint and back again at intervals and am interested in my HR during these intervals. So whatever I get can't have much of a lag time in displaying the correct HR.

The MS band does look promising though.

The following is direct from Microsoft. Think you will be pleased. I was.

"Microsoft Band heart rate sampling frequency
•Exercise modes (Run and Workout): Heart rate records every second
•Sleep tracking : 2 minutes on, 8 minutes off. Repeats throughout duration
•All other times : 1 minute on, 9 minutes off, and repeating the cycle
•Manual: You can force-check your heart rate at any time by tapping the Me Tile

When the Microsoft Band is just being worn under regular conditions, users can expect ten-minute intervals for heart rate data collection, which is six data points an hour. During sleep, the heart rate monitor is working slightly harder, taking a longer periodic sample.

Finally, during exercise when the user puts the Band into Workout or Run, the Band goes into a high-performance mode collecting a user's heart rate once every second.''

 

[samiznaetekto]

Too bad all manufacturers are pushing so hard all this health stuff. 99.9% of people are not interested in it. They'll play with it for a couple of days and forget about it. All these health graphs... up and down, like a saw, what's useful to see there? (again, for 99.9% of people) I don't need my steps counted. I know today I walked from A to B. If I want to walk more, I'll walk from A to C. LOL. I don't want to measure my heart rate every minute. It's normal. I don't want to look at jigsaw graph that tells me exactly nothing.

This push of health crap is similar to the push of 3D TV we saw in the last 2-3 years. Thanks, but we're fine with 2D TV!

What I want from a smartwatch is to do just a few things, but do them very well.

1) Watch face customizable not only with preloaded faces, but any face from any 3rd party.

2) Bright screen with at least 300ppi, curved to reduce reflections (like Gear S), useable in sunlight.

3) No cellular. Thanks. Don't want another plan.

4) WiFi. Connect to any networks or hotspots.

5) Good weather app.

6) GPS and maps. GPS should always be off by default and only on in the apps requiring location - to conserve battery.

7) Only notifications about phone calls and emails. No other notification crap.

8) Eye detection camera. The watch should turn on the instant I'm looking at it. Not based on arm movement.

9) Ability to control music play on the phone (Bluetooth).

10) At least 3 days of battery life.

That's about it!

 

[Liquorpuki]

Too bad all manufacturers are pushing so hard all this health stuff. 99.9% of people are not interested in it. They'll play with it for a couple of days and forget about it. All these health graphs... up and down, like a saw, what's useful to see there? (again, for 99.9% of people) I don't need my steps counted. I know today I walked from A to B. If I want to walk more, I'll walk from A to C. LOL. I don't want to measure my heart rate every minute. It's normal. I don't want to look at jigsaw graph that tells me exactly nothing.

...

That's about it!

Theres' a difference between Fitness Bands and Smartwatches

 

[laserfox]

too bad all manufacturers are pushing so hard all this health stuff. 99.9% of people are not interested in it. They'll play with it for a couple of days and forget about it. All these health graphs... Up and down, like a saw, what's useful to see there? (again, for 99.9% of people) i don't need my steps counted. I know today i walked from a to b. If i want to walk more, i'll walk from a to c. Lol. I don't want to measure my heart rate every minute. It's normal. I don't want to look at jigsaw graph that tells me exactly nothing.

This push of health crap is similar to the push of 3d tv we saw in the last 2-3 years. Thanks, but we're fine with 2d tv!

What i want from a smartwatch is to do just a few things, but do them very well.

1) watch face customizable not only with preloaded faces, but any face from any 3rd party.

2) bright screen with at least 300ppi, curved to reduce reflections (like gear s), useable in sunlight.

3) no cellular. Thanks. Don't want another plan.

4) wifi. Connect to any networks or hotspots.

5) good weather app.

6) gps and maps. Gps should always be off by default and only on in the apps requiring location - to conserve battery.

7) only notifications about phone calls and emails. No other notification crap.

8) eye detection camera. The watch should turn on the instant i'm looking at it. Not based on arm movement.

9) ability to control music play on the phone (bluetooth).

10) at least 3 days of battery life.

That's about it!

This. Is. A. Fitness. Band.

 

[Lloydbm41]

Theres' a difference between Fitness Bands and Smartwatches

Exactly. Don't think this guy bothered to read the article. This is a fitness band with smartwatch features. But a fitness band first.

 

[samiznaetekto]

Exactly. Don't think this guy bothered to read the article. This is a fitness band with smartwatch features. But a fitness band first.

If a "fitness band" has smartwatch features, it's a smartwatch.

If the device only measures health stuff, it's a fitness device.

Anyway, I'm talking about the heavy shove of health features onto consumers 99.9% of whom don't need it. It's a repeat of 3D TV shove, or Google+ shove. As a result of this crap, 99.9% of people can't have what they want - a simple color screen watch with basic smart features that work extremely well and not requiring a tether to power outlet.

 

[Lloydbm41]

If a "fitness band" has smartwatch features, it's a smartwatch.

If the device only measures health stuff, it's a fitness device.

Anyway, I'm talking about the heavy shove of health features onto consumers 99.9% of whom don't need it. It's a repeat of 3D TV shove, or Google+ shove. As a result of this crap, 99.9% of people can't have what they want - a simple color screen watch with basic smart features that work extremely well and not requiring a tether to power outlet.

My Nike+ Fuelband tells the time, so by default its a smartwatch? Don't think so.

 

[spinedoc77]

The following is direct from Microsoft. Think you will be pleased. I was.

"Microsoft Band heart rate sampling frequency
•Exercise modes (Run and Workout): Heart rate records every second
•Sleep tracking : 2 minutes on, 8 minutes off. Repeats throughout duration
•All other times : 1 minute on, 9 minutes off, and repeating the cycle
•Manual: You can force-check your heart rate at any time by tapping the Me Tile

When the Microsoft Band is just being worn under regular conditions, users can expect ten-minute intervals for heart rate data collection, which is six data points an hour. During sleep, the heart rate monitor is working slightly harder, taking a longer periodic sample.

Finally, during exercise when the user puts the Band into Workout or Run, the Band goes into a high-performance mode collecting a user's heart rate once every second.''

Interesting. All the reviews I'm reading say it's just as awful as any other optical based tracker (except the Mio which is the gold standard). I'll probably still buy one and try it out myself at some point.

 

[JaySoul]

Too bad all manufacturers are pushing so hard all this health stuff. 99.9% of people are not interested in it. They'll play with it for a couple of days and forget about it. All these health graphs... up and down, like a saw, what's useful to see there? (again, for 99.9% of people) I don't need my steps counted. I know today I walked from A to B. If I want to walk more, I'll walk from A to C. LOL. I don't want to measure my heart rate every minute. It's normal. I don't want to look at jigsaw graph that tells me exactly nothing.

This push of health crap is similar to the push of 3D TV we saw in the last 2-3 years. Thanks, but we're fine with 2D TV!

What I want from a smartwatch is to do just a few things, but do them very well.

1) Watch face customizable not only with preloaded faces, but any face from any 3rd party.

2) Bright screen with at least 300ppi, curved to reduce reflections (like Gear S), useable in sunlight.

3) No cellular. Thanks. Don't want another plan.

4) WiFi. Connect to any networks or hotspots.

5) Good weather app.

6) GPS and maps. GPS should always be off by default and only on in the apps requiring location - to conserve battery.

7) Only notifications about phone calls and emails. No other notification crap.

8) Eye detection camera. The watch should turn on the instant I'm looking at it. Not based on arm movement.

9) Ability to control music play on the phone (Bluetooth).

10) At least 3 days of battery life.

That's about it!

Think you've really reeeeeeally missed the point.

 

[tbayrgs]

Just a heads up the Microsoft once again has a limited supply for sale, just became available at 1 pm EST here.

 

[tbayrgs]

And it's back out of stock again. Guess Microsoft thinks Google is onto something with their Nexus 6 release schedule.

 

[Lloydbm41]

And it's back out of stock again. Guess Microsoft thinks Google is onto something with their Nexus 6 release schedule.

first batch was about 5000 units. looks like Microsoft is being extremely cautious and not wanting to have any channel inventory write offs.

 

[tbayrgs]

first batch was about 5000 units. looks like Microsoft is being extremely cautious and not wanting to have any channel inventory write offs.

Well, I pulled the trigger and bought one, will share my impressions in case anyone is interested.

 

[Lloydbm41]

Well, I pulled the trigger and bought one, will share my impressions in case anyone is interested.

I am. mostly for the fitness stuff and that it works with iOS and Android.

 

[tbayrgs]

I am. mostly for the fitness stuff and that it works with iOS and Android.

Exactly why it was tops on might list as well. I'm also more interested in the fitness elements though some good smart functionality is always welcome.

 

[Lloydbm41]

Exactly why it was tops on might list as well. I'm also more interested in the fitness elements though some good smart functionality is always welcome.

biggest thing for me is if the HR monitor is accurate (in fitness mode) and how well it handles sweat/getting bumped around.