As expected, Microsoft today unveiled a range of new products including its latest wearable. Sharing the stage with the Surface Book, MIcrosoft’s first ever notebook, the new Surface Pro 4 tablet and the new Lumia 550, Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL smartphones was the Microsoft Band 2.
As rumours suggested, the Band 2 improves on its predecessor with a new curved OLED display and improved design to make it more comfortable and more attractive. Along with a new barometer sensor to track changes in elevation in real-time, Microsoft has also improved integration with Cortana to make hands-free operation easier. Microsoft claims that it is also the first wearable to measure VO2 max, the maximum amount of oxygen that can be processed by a person, thanks to its wealth of sensors. Needless to say, it retains all of the functionality of the original Band, including notifications, sleep tracking and continuous optical heart rate monitoring.
Microsoft Band 2 specifications:
- Cellular connectivity: None
- Other connectivity: GPS, Bluetooth 4.0 LE
- Display: 32×18mm AMOLED (320×128 pixels)
- Sensors: Optical heart rate sensor, 3-axis accelerometer/gyro, gyrometer, ambient light, skin temperature, UV sensor, capactive sensor, galvanic skin response, barometer
- Battery: Li-Polymer
- Colours: Black
- Other: Thermal plastic elastomer silicone vulcanate (TPSiV) band, microphone, water resistant
Unlike most wearables, the Microsoft Band 2 is compatible with Android, iOS and Windows Phone.
The Microsoft Band 2 will be available for pre-order in Canada and the U.S. on October 6th. It will be available for purchase in the U.S. starting on October 30th for US$249.99 and in Canada on November 20th for CA$329.99.
Source : Microsoft