Presenting Microsoft Band 2, Live healthier and achieve more.
At Microsoft's event today for #Windows10Devices, there was already a lot of anticipation around the new Lumia Devices, the Surface Pro and one thing which is going to change the way we look at the booming fitness devices is Microsoft's latest announcement - THE BAND 2. This is Microsoft's second attempt at the fitness tracker with a re-worked, re-designed and re-conceptualized Microsoft Band. Though it has made it's entry in already a chocobloc market where we already have competing companies like Fitbit, GOQII, Mi Band, and loads more.
A few days back we
reported a few leaks from the industry and yes, we were almost there. The
Microsoft Band 2 is a blend of comfortable rubberized soft plastic and rounded
metal, something is practical to wear, feels comfortable to use and is very
trendy and premium at same time. The
Band 2 has no hard edges and sports the very first curved display which is
protected by Gorilla Glass 3 and is scratch resistance.
The Band 2 hosts a
lot of sensors and functions which have been re-utilized from the 1st
generation, like – a built in GPS, UV monitoring, guided workouts, sleep and
calorie tracking and smart notifications. In addition to these features and the
re-zigged design, the Band 2 brings some brilliantly crafted additions. To name
a few, it comes with a barometer to help track elevation changes, which means
the exercise monitor will give you even more accurate results while it works on
your workouts and calories track.
Microsoft also made
an announcement for the Microsoft Health integration, which will sync all your
Band data across all Windows 10 devices where ever you can or have signed in.
Hence, it will give you on demand – real time in depth analysis of all your
health information, your progress, workout schedule, charts, sleep tracking, goals
etc. The Band 2 also comes with a heart rate monitor which will provide us with
most accurate heart rate with time stamps via Microsoft Health.
For some serious
sports and fitness enthusiasts, the Band 2 also comes with a VO2 Max sensor which
detects the rate at which our heart, lungs and muscles can use oxygen during workouts.
Microsoft is claiming that the Band 2 is the only device in the market which
will give us such accurate and in depth results and is a must buy for someone
who is serious in improving their fitness levels.
Microsoft Band 2 is
not only limiting itself to fitness. Now it would teach you and track your Golf
routines. The band has the ability to track all your swings and the shots you
make while playing golf. It will also help you with distance to holes,
variation in swings and will give you a detailed report once you finish the
game.
Apart from Fitness
and Golfing, the Band 2 is running on Windows 10 and comes with our favorite – Cortana.
She will give you all alerts from your phones and fitness schedules. It would
help you schedule your workouts, help you with real time information on meals,
calories, sleeping patterns etc. The best thing is that Microsoft has tied up
with 3rd party vendors with the launch of this device, which means,
that you’ll get your calendar, twitter and facebook notification directly on your
band. Microsoft has also tied up with Uber and you will be book your ride
directly from your Band.
The battery life of
Microsoft Band 2 is average and will run for 48 hours with full charge. We feel
it is lesser than what other players in the market are offering. The Band 2 is
currently available on pre-booking, and will start shipping from 30th
October 2015. You can place your orders here (for US and UK). For South East
Asian Countries, the Band 2 will be released from new year onwards.
Big question is, will
you buy Microsoft Band 2 or buy some other fitness device? Share your views in
the comments section below.
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