Microsoft rumored to debut platform-agnostic 'smart wristband' in Q4 with focus on fitness
According to a rumor, Microsoft's expected foray into the burgeoning wearables market will be an activity-minded wristband-style device that works with all major mobile platforms including Windows Phone, Google's Android and Apple's iOS.
Microsoft's rumored wristband is said to resemble Samsung's Gear Fit pictured above. | Source: Samsung
As the wearables market heats up, big-name tech companies like Samsung and Motorola are getting into the game with early entries running Google's Android Wear mobile platform.
Citing sources familiar with the Redmond, Wash. company's plans, WinSupersite's Paul Thurrott reports Microsoft is not looking to release a wristwatch like other tech players, but a wristband instead. Perhaps the most notable feature, however, is that the device will be compatible with all three major mobile operating systems.
"From a differentiation standpoint, Microsoft's wearable will do something that no other wearable platform does. It will work with everything and not just the device maker's smart phone platform," Thurrott writes. "Where Samsung wearables only work with Samsung phones, Android Wear devices only work with modern Android devices, and Apple's rumored iWatch will obviously only work with iPhone, Microsoft will take a different approach. It will work with Android, iPhone and Windows Phone."
Microsoft is said to be focusing on fitness with its as-yet-unannounced smart device. Sensors will reportedly operate throughout the day to track steps taken and calories burned, while more advanced components can take heart rate readings. All data is pushed to a nearby smartphone and deconstructed using Microsoft software, possibilities being Bing Health & Fitness and Healthvault. The device is also thought to support third-party apps as well.
On the design side, sources say Microsoft chose to go with a wristband design akin to Samsung's Gear Fit device, with notifications and other alerts pushed from a handset and displayed onscreen.
Pricing and availability are not yet set in stone, nor is branding, though Thurrott has been hearing rumblings of a release in quarter four.
Rumors of a Microsoft smartwatch first surface in April 2013, when sources at upstream suppliers claimed the company was working on a touch-enabled "watch-style" device.
The software giant previously dabbled in wearable tech with its Smart Personal Object Technology (SPOT) platform, which was run in partnership with watchmakers like Suunto, Fossil and Swatch. The program launched in 2004 and slowly added a wider range of connected electronics, including GPS units, that received weather, traffic and other data sent from MSN Direct servers over FM radio broadcasts for a $59 per year fee. SPOT died in 2008.
Microsoft's rumored wristband is said to resemble Samsung's Gear Fit pictured above. | Source: Samsung
As the wearables market heats up, big-name tech companies like Samsung and Motorola are getting into the game with early entries running Google's Android Wear mobile platform.
Citing sources familiar with the Redmond, Wash. company's plans, WinSupersite's Paul Thurrott reports Microsoft is not looking to release a wristwatch like other tech players, but a wristband instead. Perhaps the most notable feature, however, is that the device will be compatible with all three major mobile operating systems.
"From a differentiation standpoint, Microsoft's wearable will do something that no other wearable platform does. It will work with everything and not just the device maker's smart phone platform," Thurrott writes. "Where Samsung wearables only work with Samsung phones, Android Wear devices only work with modern Android devices, and Apple's rumored iWatch will obviously only work with iPhone, Microsoft will take a different approach. It will work with Android, iPhone and Windows Phone."
Microsoft is said to be focusing on fitness with its as-yet-unannounced smart device. Sensors will reportedly operate throughout the day to track steps taken and calories burned, while more advanced components can take heart rate readings. All data is pushed to a nearby smartphone and deconstructed using Microsoft software, possibilities being Bing Health & Fitness and Healthvault. The device is also thought to support third-party apps as well.
On the design side, sources say Microsoft chose to go with a wristband design akin to Samsung's Gear Fit device, with notifications and other alerts pushed from a handset and displayed onscreen.
Pricing and availability are not yet set in stone, nor is branding, though Thurrott has been hearing rumblings of a release in quarter four.
Rumors of a Microsoft smartwatch first surface in April 2013, when sources at upstream suppliers claimed the company was working on a touch-enabled "watch-style" device.
The software giant previously dabbled in wearable tech with its Smart Personal Object Technology (SPOT) platform, which was run in partnership with watchmakers like Suunto, Fossil and Swatch. The program launched in 2004 and slowly added a wider range of connected electronics, including GPS units, that received weather, traffic and other data sent from MSN Direct servers over FM radio broadcasts for a $59 per year fee. SPOT died in 2008.
Comments
Given that MS axed the Surface Mini and focused on professionals, why bring out another consumer device?
I wasn't aware that they had announced, or released a Surface Mini, how did they managed to axe it?
Not too excited about any Microsoft hardware.
The manual for the SP3 mentioned it in several locations. http://www.pcworld.com/article/2365846/oops-surface-pro-3-manual-confirms-surface-minis-existence.html
Hopefully it will run "full Windows 8." Because that solves everything.
Also-ran.
It seems to me like every time Apple is rumored to come out with something brand new, Samsung or MS shortly thereafter have rumors of their hardware foray of similar regard. Apple should just make something up as a leak and see if MS or Samsung then copy it immediately just to embarrass them. Granted it is impossible to know who thought up what first, but still, it really does appear that way.
The challenge is that devices designed specifically for a particular ecosystem will likely provide significantly more functionality than a third party device.
A reference in a document doesn't mean they have axed it
Reputable sources, including Paul Thurott, said it was originally planned to be announced at the event with the SP3, but Natella cancelled it at the last minute as it didn't bring anything new to the table. The 8" game is well covered by MS's hardware partners.
A reputable source is the company themselves, no matter who you are talking about, you can guarantee information from these third party people. For all you know they may be waiting on the touch version of Office.
I have reliable sources that indicate that the newest device from Apple will be something to watch.
I gotta call a Montoya on this one: I do not think that means what you think it means.
Perhaps the most notable feature, however, is that the device will be compatible with all three major mobile operating systems.
Doesn't Windows have 2-3% marketshare? I guess that makes it a major OS.
MS TimeWatch, basic edition
MS TimeWatch, professional edition
MS TimeWatch 360
MS TimeWatch 8.1, multi-lingual patch
MS TimeWatch 360 with OneDrive and Skype connectivity
and then...
McAfee Anti-virus for MS TimeWatch
SharePoint for MS TimeWatch
.NET framework 5.1 for MS TimeWatch
... **yawn**
And if you can't run a full version of office on it, I'll be very disappointed. This is a productivity device, right?
I'm sure it will be of the highest quality with 48 hour battery life.