Microsoft Band • Hacker News Board

Re: Microsoft Band

#191

Post by com2kid » Thu, Oct 30, 2014, 7:30 AM UTC

javert wrote: post #173

underwater wrote: post #162

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I imagine it's Windows CE. Is there any reason to suspect otherwise?

Well, I took the person saying "MS is mum on it" as "they are keeping it secret." If they are keeping it secret, that's interesting. But I'm possibly reading into this something that isn't there.

Hi! Dev lead here.

Obviously not an official MS response!

We are using a single threaded lightweight runtime based around call backs. We are completely non-blocking on all IO (including all sensors), and our CPU spends the majority of its time in a very low power mode. Every microsecond of CPU time is accounted for and justified!

I cannot wait until people look at our battery size in mAh.

Re: Microsoft Band

#192

Post by annnnd » Thu, Oct 30, 2014, 7:32 AM UTC

math0ne wrote: post #148

dingaling wrote: post #126

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One benefit of old-school wired charging is that I can still use the device in a normal orientation whilst it is charging, so long as the cable is long enough. Do you find that wireless charging prevents that? I assume the fevice has to lie flat on the plate somewhere near a power outlet.

It does prevent that but it also prevents my device from ever being dead because whenever I'm at my desk I just put it on the charger. With the wired chargers in the past it was a paint to plug and unplug so my phone was always low but with the wireless stuff my device is naturally juicy all the time.

Have the batteries progressed enough that this kind of charging is no longer a problem? (I am talking about memory effect)

Re: Microsoft Band

#193

Post by madeofpalk » Thu, Oct 30, 2014, 7:34 AM UTC

thescrewdriver wrote: post #190

madeofpalk wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Finally This isn't 'finally'. This 'new Microsoft' has been doing this for a while.

Visual Studio doesn't seem to install correctly on my Ubuntu box.

And?

Re: Microsoft Band

#194

Post by dil8 » Thu, Oct 30, 2014, 7:39 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.

Thanks you, I had to scroll down a fair bit to see someone point this out.

I am with you, I wouldn't wear one if they paid me. The data they are harvesting is a lot more valuable than the service they are providing.

I am sure health insurance companies are salivating at the opportunity to buy this data. Even if the data is anonymous.

Re: Microsoft Band

#195

Post by znowi » Thu, Oct 30, 2014, 7:45 AM UTC

This will be perfect for PRISM

Re: Microsoft Band

#196

Post by wfjackson » Thu, Oct 30, 2014, 7:49 AM UTC

guylhem wrote: 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…

The iWatch looks clunky and thick from some angles and tries too hard to be a smartphone on your wrist.

http://cdn.cultofmac.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/07/iwatch-i...

https://encrypted-tbn3.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTtB7RX...

The Moto 360 looks better because it's round but the UI is made for a square device.

Whereas this appears to be a reimagination in an authentically digital and modern format. The iWatch is already looking outdated IMO.

Re: Microsoft Band

#197

Post by AdamTReineke » Thu, Oct 30, 2014, 7:49 AM UTC

ezxs wrote: post #176

This could be an iPod moment for Microsoft.

That's a bold statement, care to expand? Why isn't this just another fitness band? (From a current MS employee to an [ex?] MS employee.)

Re: Microsoft Band

#198

Post by omgtehlion » Thu, Oct 30, 2014, 7:55 AM UTC

annnnd wrote: post #192

math0ne wrote: post #148

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It does prevent that but it also prevents my device from ever being dead because whenever I'm at my desk I just put it on the charger. With the wired chargers in the past it was a paint to plug and unplug so my phone was always low but with the wireless stuff my device is naturally juicy all the time.

Have the batteries progressed enough that this kind of charging is no longer a problem? (I am talking about memory effect)

Almost all Li(Ion|Poly|FePO) batteries currently don't have “memory effect” when you charge them repeatedly. The only problem happens when you drain the battery below minimum voltage, then it will lose its capacity.

Re: Microsoft Band

#199

Post by zamalek » Thu, Oct 30, 2014, 7:56 AM UTC

thescrewdriver wrote: post #190

madeofpalk wrote: post #60

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> Finally This isn't 'finally'. This 'new Microsoft' has been doing this for a while.

Visual Studio doesn't seem to install correctly on my Ubuntu box.

Visual Studio has been using COM since COM was new. That 21 years of code that's been written against an API that Linux doesn't provide.

COM is not only proprietary but also a horrible thing. I don't see it ever being on any Linux list of things to do.

It will never install on Linux.

If you want something as good as Visual Studio on Linux, write it.

Re: Microsoft Band

#200

Post by aragot » Thu, Oct 30, 2014, 7:56 AM UTC

sytelus wrote: post #117

While everyone is trying to make a watch that looks as traditional as possible, Microsoft is thinking radically different for how the future watch should look likes. That's some guts. At $200 this looks like great device with built-in sensors including GPS and UV that also talks to whatever phone you own. I also like the fact that heart rate monitor is always on. Addition of barometer could have been nicer, however.…

I like your reasoning. Worth mentioning the Apple Watch starts at $349.

> feel that it's designed for fitness nuts

This product is quite a leap for Microsoft already. The watch market is young and probably led by fitness nuts.

It's probably a good strategy for Microsoft to nail this market first, learn about the marketing and triggers, secure a position and a revenue, then extend to a larger watch market when it is more structured.