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Microsoft Band

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91–100 of 534 posts

Re: Microsoft Band

#91
Jesus! it's perfect. and because MS got it right. compared to apple or pebble. in short, 'band form factor' is the one I was hoping, when apple introduced its watch. I was bit shocked when it was actually rounded-square shape. with this form, you get more with less.

Re: Microsoft Band

#92
post #14

Looks interesting and good on Microsoft for finally getting in front of a new hardware trend. I kind of wonder if all these health trackers are just going to be a fad though. Do you really need to micromanage every calorie and heart beat with a $200 gadget? There's a ton of hand waving about combining all the data, synergies, etc. but what are the actual benefits of these devices over just regular checkups with a doc…

Yep definitely a fad. I used up band religiously for a year couple of years when it came out. After a while I got sick of one more thing to keep track of, was just too overbearing. I see a counter trend where technology becomes invisible, fades into background and still works for us instead of being in out faces all the time. Smartphones, smart glasses, smart watches everything that wants a piece of our attention is…

Seriously! Too many devices competing for time and attention these days.

Re: Microsoft Band

#93
Dang it! I was just about to buy it. Looks like Cortana will only work if you have a Windows phone. That missing killer feature IMO is a deal breaker.

From the article: "Cortana: If you’re using Windows Phone 8.1, you can take notes and set reminders with your voice using Cortana personal assistant."

Re: Microsoft Band

#94
post #35

All the sensors + apparently a very lightweight OS + small form factor = I like it. The killing feature is the integrated GPS. As mentionned on the website, you can go without your phone. That alone could make it a buy if it supports wireless charging (I don't want to bother with wires in 2014) Also, it is multiplatform, which is a big plus. I do not want an android watch or an iwatch, but something that will work re…

well invested in the apple ecosystem but this seems very good. I am very intrigued and may well end up with a few of these in my family. If the reality matches the marketing, I'm in. For a fitness accessory the on device GPS is the killer app.

Re: Microsoft Band

#95
post #76
post #69

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm waiting until 2016 to not bother with wires. Am I being too patient?

Several Android and Windows phones support wireless charging or can be modified to do so. (E.g., the Nexus 6 supports it and with the Note line you can just swap out the back panel for a special one). Devices like the Moto 360 also support wireless charging.

I have Qi in my phone. Meh ...it isn't as amazing as I thought it would be.

Re: Microsoft Band

#96
post #35

All the sensors + apparently a very lightweight OS + small form factor = I like it. The killing feature is the integrated GPS. As mentionned on the website, you can go without your phone. That alone could make it a buy if it supports wireless charging (I don't want to bother with wires in 2014) Also, it is multiplatform, which is a big plus. I do not want an android watch or an iwatch, but something that will work re…

I wonder if you can ping the MS Band's GPS similar to Apple's Find My Friends feature? If so this would be an awesome feature. My parents, who are older, don't like carrying phones. This would be really convenient safety wise.

Re: Microsoft Band

#97
post #56

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Xbox 360?

One of the bestselling game platforms ever with a library rivaling the PS2? Yes, the RROD was a huge debacle and too many lost money on broken Xboxes. That doesn't change the fact that people bought 70 million of the things, and generally seemed to love them.

You're absolutely right if the discussion was about the business success of the game console, but it's not. It's about Microsoft always having 'hardware that's killing it', which is made pretty untrue by the consoles' faulty reliability in the past.

A whole cottage industry of aftermarket console cooling apparatus was spawned due to the first Xbox's history, and it didn't help whatsoever in staying the problems that the second one had.

It was a business success regardless, but that's not the topic at hand.

Re: Microsoft Band

#98

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hey, I'm an Open Source Engineer with MSFT (and the msft dude for YC) - there isn't anything out yet, but we have always released SDKs for pretty much anything we build.

If this thing works with Android I'd definitely consider getting one. I'm considering getting a fitbit or pebble but maybe I'll wait.

They've announced apps for iOS, Android and Windows Phone, at launch.

Re: Microsoft Band

#99

I'd love to see someone compare this to the new Fitbit Charge HR! :)

The MS Band has more sensors and his bound to have much better software. I'm guessing that it's not going to be a very fair fight.

yeah but Fitbit has the whole "light-weight band" going for it plus 5 days of charge.

I do like the GPS feature though, that's fucking killer

Re: Microsoft Band

#100
post #14

Looks interesting and good on Microsoft for finally getting in front of a new hardware trend. I kind of wonder if all these health trackers are just going to be a fad though. Do you really need to micromanage every calorie and heart beat with a $200 gadget? There's a ton of hand waving about combining all the data, synergies, etc. but what are the actual benefits of these devices over just regular checkups with a doc…

Yep definitely a fad. I used up band religiously for a year couple of years when it came out. After a while I got sick of one more thing to keep track of, was just too overbearing. I see a counter trend where technology becomes invisible, fades into background and still works for us instead of being in out faces all the time. Smartphones, smart glasses, smart watches everything that wants a piece of our attention is…

No offense, but this sounds more like a self-control problem than an issue with technology.
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