Microsoft Band • Hacker News Board

Re: Microsoft Band

#101

Post by bhauer » Thu, Oct 30, 2014, 4:34 AM UTC

nilkn wrote: post #76

glibgil wrote: 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've been using wireless charging for nearly two years on my Lumia 920. And for the past year, my wife's Lumia Icon has been doing the same. I picked up a couple more charging plates when she switched to Windows Phone.

Now that I've used wireless charging, I'll never go back. Connecting wires to charge is so 2012. I want my Surface Pro to charge wirelessly. And my Tesla Model S (well, that is, if I had one).

Re: Microsoft Band

#102

Post by orbifold » Thu, Oct 30, 2014, 4:36 AM UTC

I certainly would not want a bracelet that tracks so much information from a corporation that is known to cooperate with the NSA. The bracelets they force repeat sex offenders to wear track less information about them. The only way I would consider using such a device was if both the hardware and software were available for public review.

Re: Microsoft Band

#103

Post by [deleted] » Thu, Oct 30, 2014, 4:36 AM UTC

swartkrans wrote: post #90

felixrieseberg wrote: post #64

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.

[deleted]

Re: Microsoft Band

#104

Post by fortuitous » Thu, Oct 30, 2014, 4:36 AM UTC

Crashed for me browsing that website with win 8.1. Thanks, microsoft. It actually rebooted my computer. Only microsoft can reboot your computer from their own website.

Re: Microsoft Band

#105

Post by jimmcslim » Thu, Oct 30, 2014, 4:37 AM UTC

I wonder if integration with Xbox One is on the cards? It would seem to be natural given the fitness side of Kinect; if this has a HRM integrated perhaps that could be sent while you are doing your P90X workout or some such...

Re: Microsoft Band

#106

Post by mistermann » Thu, Oct 30, 2014, 4:38 AM UTC

Encosia wrote: post #39

beggi wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Erm, always killed it? Zune, Surface, Lumia?

IIRC, Surface is one of the key reasons Microsoft did so well in the last quarter.

You mean revenue wise? Is it anything more than a rounding error? (Serious question.)

Re: Microsoft Band

#107

Post by yohanatan » Thu, Oct 30, 2014, 4:39 AM UTC

I am sure the Microsoft employees which will make up about 95% of the market share of this thing will be happy (until it goes the way of the Kin, Zune, etc).

Re: Microsoft Band

#108

Post by bluthru » Thu, Oct 30, 2014, 4:41 AM UTC

I'm surprised so many are drawn to the industrial design of this. It seems quite clunky with the electronics distributed throughout the band. The flat portion is also too long.

Microsoft wants to sell you a gadget while Apple wants to sell you a watch.

Re: Microsoft Band

#109

Post by pzaich » Thu, Oct 30, 2014, 4:41 AM UTC

This looks like the perfect form-factor for a more powerful wearable swim watch. Most of the other options are bulkier or too limited in their feature set. Unfortunately it looks like it's only splash resistant.

Re: Microsoft Band

#110

Post by sb057 » Thu, Oct 30, 2014, 4:43 AM UTC

orbifold wrote: post #102

I certainly would not want a bracelet that tracks so much information from a corporation that is known to cooperate with the NSA. The bracelets they force repeat sex offenders to wear track less information about them. The only way I would consider using such a device was if both the hardware and software were available for public review.

Can I assume you don't own a smartphone, then?