Improving one’s health and fitness with the help from technology
has opened the market new devices to emerge.
Microsoft is one of the companies who came out with a band that can help
you improve your health and more. On
October 30 of this year, Microsoft released its Microsoft Band that is truly a
fitness band with smart features.
Microsoft’s smart band contains several everyday features which can help keep track of your everyday activity level. These include tracking your heart rate 24/7, tracks your steps and determining the quality of sleep you have. Once the wristband locks in, it’s easy to instantly see your heart activity. The new band also helps you find out which exercises burned the most calories during your workout. It can also tell you how much time your body needs to recover before your next training session.
Microsoft’s smart band contains several everyday features which can help keep track of your everyday activity level. These include tracking your heart rate 24/7, tracks your steps and determining the quality of sleep you have. Once the wristband locks in, it’s easy to instantly see your heart activity. The new band also helps you find out which exercises burned the most calories during your workout. It can also tell you how much time your body needs to recover before your next training session.
The Windows Band has a built in GPS for those avid
runners/walkers or those looking a GPS watch with more features. You can go jogging without a phone and it’ll
track your data, map your run and tell you how intensely you ran when you sync
with your phone. Microsoft claims that the band has a 5 hour GPS batter life,
or 48 hours of other activities.
A unique feature that one wouldn't see on any other
competing smart bands is that the Microsoft Band contains a UV sensor. This sensor tells you how much sun you’re
getting so you can make sure that you are not getting too much sunlight!
The band currently goes for $199 and works on Android,
iPhones and of course Windows Phones. If
you’re using a Windows phone, then you also have access to Cortana. This will allow you to set reminders, take
notes and give you traffic notifications. These notifications will also show up
on your phone along with your band. Cortana will also give you updates on
sports, stocks, weather and more. All
data gathered from these activities mentioned are stored in Microsoft’s cloud. Microsoft Band allows you to view emails,
calendar alerts, text messages, and incoming calls at a glance. Unfortunately you will not be able to send
text messages or place calls.
The Microsoft Band will have competition with the release of
the Apple Watch coming early 2015. The Apple Watch will only be compatible with
the Apple iPhone 5 and above. Apple’s
heart rate monitor does not calculate your heart rate 24/7 like the Window’s
Band instead the heart rate feature will have to be accessed manually. Unlike the Windows Band, it allows you to
send messages and phone calls. The Apple
Watch will use the Apple Pay so that you no longer have to use your cards. Siri will be used for the personal assistant
on the Apple Watch. This is a general
overview of the features that will be available on the Apple watch. For more on the Apple Watch feel free to go
to their website AppleWatch.
Is it worth the wait for the Apple
Watch? It depends on the user and what you are looking for in a sports
band. Both the Microsoft Band and Apple
Watch have several great features that can fit well with any lifestyle.
Signing out,
Sydney
Images taken from Google Images
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