Lately, Microsoft has sort of been following Google’s lead. And what I mean by that is making their products available on other platforms. For instance, Google has almost all of their services available on iOS. That includes YouTube, Google Maps, Google Play Music, Google Play Movies, Chrome and many others. Microsoft has begun to do that as well, with Office being available on both Android and iOS now. But the biggest product that Microsoft has made and is available on multiple platforms, is their new fitness band. It’s simply called the Microsoft Band. It’s compatible with Android, iOS and of course Windows Phone.
The Microsoft Band has gotten mixed reactions. While it does what it does well, many feel that it’s still missing a few core features. The Microsoft band does track your steps, heart rate, stride length as well as showing your text messages, emails and Twitter alerts. So it’s not quite a smartwatch, but pretty close. Microsoft launched it for $199. Which is still it’s current price, but Microsoft has expanded the availability. It’s now available on Amazon, Best Buy and Target. Additionally, Microsoft is bringing it to the UK next month.
On April 15th, the Microsoft Band will be available in the UK. Microsoft has started pre-orders for the Microsoft Band through its’ store in the UK, with an asking price of £169.99. Those in the UK still have about a month before it’ll be available though. Microsoft also states that the Microsoft Band will also be available at Amazon, Currys, PC World, Dixons Travel, Harrods, and O2 stores in the UK on April 15th. These retailers aren’t doing pre-orders, only Microsoft’s store is.
The Microsoft Band is a pretty unique fitness band, while it does a lot of features that smartwatches do, it’s not quite a smartwatch. But it does track all your fitness goals quite well. It does integrate with Microsoft Health, so you will need to download the Microsoft health app from the Play Store (or if you use an iOS device, the App Store) to use the Microsoft Band to it’s full capacity. Clearly, Microsoft is getting serious about this fitness band.
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