The Microsoft Band is now available to buy in the UK, marking the European advent of the company’s first wearable.
Microsoft’s smart band, which makes use of the company’s new Health software, is targeted primarily as a fitness tracker, with the company claiming it helps you ‘live healthier and be more productive’.
The best bit about the band is that it’s cross-platform, which means it will work on iOS, Android, and, of course, Windows Phone.
The Microsoft Band was first unveiled in October last year, kicking off with limited sales to customers in the US.
So what’s sort of tech are we looking at? Inside Microsoft’s band are 10 smart sensors, which cover various metrics like heart rate, calories burned, and sleep tracking.
There’s also a small 1.4-inch touchscreen display with a 320 x 106 resolution, which is used to convey various notifications.
Thanks to Bluetooth 4.0 smartphone syncing, you’ll also be able to check out e-mails, social network alerts, and text and call notifications directly on your wrist.
Related: Microsoft Band: 5 Killer features to look out for
Microsoft Health, meanwhile, is the Redmond-based company’s answer to Apple Health.
Writing in a blog post on the matter, Microsoft’s Todd Holmdahl said: “
Microsoft Health currently works with Jawbone’s UP, MapMyFitness, MyFitnessPal, and RunKeeper.
The company has also added a UK-based spin by partnering with Nuffield Health to create goal-based guided workouts, which will soon be available on the Microsoft Band.
If you’re keen to snap up Microsoft’s fledgling wearable, it’s available from select UK retailers and the company’s online store. It’s not cheap, mind – the Microsoft Band costs £169.99.
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Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.
