Microsoft inadvertently leaks 'Band' fitness wearable in new app, reveals 'Microsoft Health' [update
Microsoft's rumored wearable fitness tracker was inadvertently leaked online Wednesday when the company's first-party syncing app was posted to Apple's Mac App Store, disclosing a few key features of the unannounced device.
As seen in the above screenshot, taken from Microsoft's Band Sync Mac app, the Redmond tech giant's rumored wearable device is to be called "Microsoft Band," or simply "Band."
Not much can be gleaned from the app's release notes, which were also posted to the Android app store, but downloading the software yields more clues as to what Microsoft is planning with Band. In the Band Sync app's "About" section, a link to Microsoft's privacy policy for the device and related line of health-related products reveals Band will be able to "keep track of things like your heart rate, steps, calories burned, and sleep."
Further, a specialized service called "Microsoft Health" will collect information from Band, as well as push out notifications from a connected smartphone that can be read on the device's screen. Links within the privacy webpage point to a webpage for Band specifications, including the sensor suite and other hardware information, but the site is not yet live.
Interestingly, the Band webpage URLs refer to the device as "Lumia Band," suggesting the wearable was, or is, to be marketed as an accessory for the Lumia smartphone lineup. Originating with Nokia, the "Lumia" moniker has since been adopted by Microsoft after it acquired the Finnish company's handset business for $7.2 billion in 2013. The "Nokia" smartphone brand was recently killed off in favor of "Microsoft Lumia."
A release date for Microsoft Band is unknown, but rumors suggest a launch sometime in the fourth quarter.
Update: Microsoft Band was officially announced shortly after the initial app store leak surfaced. According to Re/code, the device will be connected to the cloud, features a UV sensor, galvanic skin sensors for monitoring stress and will last 48 hours on a single charge. Microsoft Band will go on sale this Thursday for $199.
As seen in the above screenshot, taken from Microsoft's Band Sync Mac app, the Redmond tech giant's rumored wearable device is to be called "Microsoft Band," or simply "Band."
Not much can be gleaned from the app's release notes, which were also posted to the Android app store, but downloading the software yields more clues as to what Microsoft is planning with Band. In the Band Sync app's "About" section, a link to Microsoft's privacy policy for the device and related line of health-related products reveals Band will be able to "keep track of things like your heart rate, steps, calories burned, and sleep."
Further, a specialized service called "Microsoft Health" will collect information from Band, as well as push out notifications from a connected smartphone that can be read on the device's screen. Links within the privacy webpage point to a webpage for Band specifications, including the sensor suite and other hardware information, but the site is not yet live.
Interestingly, the Band webpage URLs refer to the device as "Lumia Band," suggesting the wearable was, or is, to be marketed as an accessory for the Lumia smartphone lineup. Originating with Nokia, the "Lumia" moniker has since been adopted by Microsoft after it acquired the Finnish company's handset business for $7.2 billion in 2013. The "Nokia" smartphone brand was recently killed off in favor of "Microsoft Lumia."
A release date for Microsoft Band is unknown, but rumors suggest a launch sometime in the fourth quarter.
Update: Microsoft Band was officially announced shortly after the initial app store leak surfaced. According to Re/code, the device will be connected to the cloud, features a UV sensor, galvanic skin sensors for monitoring stress and will last 48 hours on a single charge. Microsoft Band will go on sale this Thursday for $199.
Comments
Oh that was too funny, I spilled my wine!
I was going to ask if anyone knew how many viruses Microsoft had but your post was way funnier.
Too bad this didn't exist in the old days, I would have loved to see the readings during this: [URL=
Google Play:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.kapp
Windows Phone App Store:
http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/microsoft-health/0168b504-ca18-46b8-b60a-0f6fdc271c81
The official Microsoft Health app for the Microsoft Band! On all 3 Mobile OS!
itunes:
https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/microsoft-health/id912580285?mt=8
Windows Phone:
http://www.windowsphone.com/en-us/store/app/microsoft-health/0168b504-ca18-46b8-b60a-0f6fdc271c81
Google Play:
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.microsoft.kapp
I really like the idea of Microsoft Health. When I think of Microsoft, the first thing I think of, actually, is health. I don't think of geeky guys wearing button down shirts and ties. I don't think of office workers eating vending machine food at their desks. I think of health and fitness. This is a perfect fit!
In other news, I just read about Nike Office, Nike Spreadsheets etc.
Sorry, feeling silly today. And the internet is free to post!
Surprised it's not OneBand. The app will probably be OneHealth.
Too bad this didn't exist in the old days, I would have loved to see the readings during this: http://youtu.be/wvsboPUjrGc
I'm surprised it's not ZuneBand.
[SIZE=1]([@]Relic[/@], It's just a joke, I'm not really saying that people shouldn't buy this product.)[/SIZE]
Anyway, Microsoft could have a winner with the Band, but from what I've seen, the Fitbit Charge HR may be a better product.
My Band Your band is connected
Who speaks like this? As far as I'm aware, I don't see labels stacked up like this in OS/X or iOS. Whenever I look at a Windows screen I feel like I'm interacting with a computer. That was amazing in the 80s, cool in the 90s, tolerable ten years ago... See where I'm going with this?
Those are all separate things. My Band would presumably be some other name you can choose.
Those are all separate things. My Band would presumably be some other name you can choose.
Methinks Radar was referring to the laziest of all possible user interfaces, the static left-hand nav.