Well, the year is coming to an end which means time for you to start thinking about that New Year resolution. Many of us will realize that we have a few pounds we can do without, and we are tired of going up another notch on our belt. To help us with this change, Microsoft has decided to dabble in the fitness and health world by creating the Microsoft Band.
The Microsoft Band is similar to the Nike Fuelband and the FitBit, but with some really interesting features that are not available with the other fitness bands. The first major difference you will notice when comparing the Microsoft Band to other fitness bands is: the small colored screen that allows you to quickly access different features without having to pull out your phone. Additionally, the Microsoft Band is packed with different features that are not available with other fitness bands, some of these features include:
- Guided Workouts
- 24-hour heart rate tracking
- Sleep Tracking
- GPS Run Mapping
Some non-fitness related functions are as follows:
- E-mail Notifications
- Calendar Notifications
- Text Message Notification
- Call Notifications
- Social Media Notifications
Microsoft has also created the Microsoft Health app that allows the Microsoft Band to sync up to. This app can be used to view different aspects of your workout, track your food intake, and monitor your sleep habits. Many of you might be thinking asking “do I need to own a Microsoft phone in order to access the Microsoft Health app?” Nope, Microsoft is compatible on Apple, Android and Microsoft smartphones and tablets.
At glance the Microsoft Band appears to be a nice upgrade when comparing it to other fitness bands. It can be thought of as a mixture of the traditional fitness bands and a smart watch. Currently, the Microsoft Band is priced at $199 which might seem a little high for a fitness band, but remember, the Microsoft Band offers more than the current fitness bands available; such as the Fitbit. It is currently only available in U.S. Microsoft retail stores and online at Microsoft.com.
So you tell us, are you considering a Microsoft Band? Do you think that it is overpriced for the features you get? Let us know in the comments below.