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Microsoft Band

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Re: Microsoft Band

#171

Post by javert »

piotrkaminski wrote: post #123
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.…

They claim a battery life of 48 hours under "normal usage" (read: no GPS), with a charging time of 1.5 hours. Though if it's supposed to be used as a sleep tracker, I kinda wonder when we're supposed to charge it.

> I kinda wonder when we're supposed to charge it.

I already keep a charger at my work desk to charge my phone, that's when I would charge it and it would not be a hassle in the least.

Re: Microsoft Band

#172

Post by wfjackson »

threeseed wrote: post #140
jader201 wrote: post #120

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I belong to a certain group of people that I'm guessing many smartwatch makers are targeting. That is, I've not worn a watch for years, mostly because a) I've never needed time to be any more convenient than checking my phone, and b) watches tend to be more about style than function, and I care almost zero about the former and almost everything about the latter. Now that the "watch" is becoming functional, it really…

"I also realize there is a group that does care more about style" Amusing that you call the majority of the population a "group". People buy clothes, shoes, cars etc based on style not specs. And you only have to look at the LV, Prada etc of the world to know they are willing to spend huge amounts of money on it. Gadget on your wrist ? Nice. But it's a niche market.

68% of people in the US are obese or overweight. The numbers in other countries aren't much better and are rising. The iWatch is a luxury watch that does fitness tracking and also allows you to view images. This is a fitness band that allows you to see the time.

Re: Microsoft Band

#173

Post by javert »

underwater wrote: post #162
javert wrote: post #79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> What is the software running on this? Interestingly, MS is mum on it. I'd really like to know. No matter what the answer is, it's going to be fascinating. Even if it's Windows but they've decided not to broadcast that.

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.

Re: Microsoft Band

#175

Post by orbifold »

Void_ wrote: post #166
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.

I'll be happy to share my data with Microsoft or NSA for that matter, I'm pretty sure nobody there cares how I spend my days, and I don't think they're interested in your days either...

Well western governments are experts in keeping their population docile and politically disinterested. So I'm not surprised a growing percentage of their population is fine with being monitored and spied on. The majority of the population might not really need protection from the state, but the few that do, dissidents, political activists definitely do.

By establishing a culture, where people are happy to share their data with the government anyone who isn't will automatically be a suspect. For example people who use TOR are put on a list. I don't know what live you lived, but some of my friends were under police surveillance (some police officer lived as a student for several years before his cover was blown by an acquaintance) because the government thought they had to keep taps on far left student organisations. Considering how much effort they went through to do that, I'm sure they monitor much more benign activity electronically.

Re: Microsoft Band

#177

Post by lhl »

ghshephard wrote: post #112
suprgeek wrote: post #27

Got a nice package of on board sensors: Optical heart rate sensor 3-axis accelerometer/gyro GPS Ambient light sensor Skin temperature sensor UV sensor Microphone Haptic vibration motor The 2 day battery life is the one turn off for me. Otherwise this is actually quite nice for $199 cross platform fitness wearable

I looked several times for the battery life but couldn't find it. Actually, for me, the 2 day battery life is the killer feature - it means I'm almost certain to get a full 16 hours out of it - which is pretty damn hard to believe given it has a GPS radio in it. That's something the Apple Watch won't have - which means if you are going out for a run - Microsoft Band will be there for you, but you won't be able to tra…

The specs on the main page say "48 hours of normal use; advanced functionality like GPS use will impact battery performance." There's also a in the support section talking about extending battery life: http://www.microsoft.com/microsoft-band/en-us/support/hardwa...

Re: Microsoft Band

#178

Post by prawn »

lotharbot wrote: post #155
curiousDog wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hardware-wise, I'd say yes. I haven't used a Lumia but the Zune-HD and Surface were actually well made.

There's an old Microsoft joystick (the Sidewinder 3D Pro) that hasn't been made in at least a decade, but several friends of mine still use them (with custom gameport-to-USB converters specifically designed for that stick.) Yet another quality piece of Microsoft hardware.

With my RMBP, I use a Microsoft wired mouse that would be about 15 years old. I want to get a wireless mouse, but I don't want to lose the feeling of this one!

Re: Microsoft Band

#179

Post by shard »

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.…

In terms of design, looks pretty much like Microsoft's version of the Samsung Gear Fit...

Re: Microsoft Band

#180

Post by w-ll »

lotharbot wrote: post #155
curiousDog wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hardware-wise, I'd say yes. I haven't used a Lumia but the Zune-HD and Surface were actually well made.

There's an old Microsoft joystick (the Sidewinder 3D Pro) that hasn't been made in at least a decade, but several friends of mine still use them (with custom gameport-to-USB converters specifically designed for that stick.) Yet another quality piece of Microsoft hardware.

The Microsoft Intellimouse is the best desktop mouse ever.
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