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Microsoft Band

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Re: Microsoft Band

#391

Post by robomartin »

rplnt wrote: post #207
robomartin wrote: post #142

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ah, not waterproof. That's OK.

It's weird though, isn't it? I would expect it to be waterproof. If not swimming, then just not having to worry about it when being in rain, washing hands, etc..

Agreed. Yet not one of my cellphones from iPhone and my old Blackberry back though various motorola's have been waterproof and that worked out OK for me.

On a watch form factor this is kind of strange. These are the kinds of things that make me wonder what designers might be thinking sometimes or perhaps question the design process itself. Do they wash their hands? Do they cook? Have they ever had to walk a few blocks in pouring rain? Or bike? Do they go fishing? Swimming? Surely the question had to come up. Who said "no" and why?

I still bought them. I want to support this and see where it goes.

Is the Apple watch waterproof?

Re: Microsoft Band

#392

Post by itsravi »

slackstation wrote: post #152

Why the fuck is Starbucks a launch partner for a fitness band? What could interest could they possibly have in my health other than undermining it?

I have an espresso before running or working out and Starbucks turns out to be cheapest and most convenient.

Granted, I never have any of their blended offerings which they're known for.

Re: Microsoft Band

#393

Post by brlewis »

blumkvist wrote: post #285
ethomson wrote: post #257

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To compare Microsoft Band to a FitBit doesn't do the Band justice. FitBit is a toy - counting footsteps isn't "fitness" and a few LEDs isn't feedback. With GPS and an actual display, the Band actually has the ability to compete against Garmin and Suunto and actual fitness watches. My Garmin is bulky, can't lock a signal in a neighborhood with tall buildings and has software reminiscent of an Atari. And it was more ex…

Hey, you seem to know to be an enthusiast about fitness tracking, can you give me a quick advice? I want a fitness tracker, but I don't want the display. I want it to be lightweight and comfortable to wear, ideally wrapping around my wrist. Sweat-proof. Pedometer, accelerometer, and have decent sleep tracking. A killer feature for me for me would be measuring jumps, as in rope jumps. Does something resembling this ex…

I think the Jawbone Up might fit that description; I know Fitbit Flex does (the Fitbit tracker ethompson must be referring to as a "Fitbit"; the other 3 shipping Fitbit trackers all have displays, as do the 2 that aren't shipping yet). I just did 20 jumps as if jumping rope and my Fitbit Charge counted 20 steps, so I bet there's a way to get your killer feature.

I work for Fitbit in site engineering; I don't speak for Fitbit -- this is my opinion, not necessarily my employer's.

Re: Microsoft Band

#395

Post by scblock »

tdicola wrote: 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…

When you're on an active weight loss plan these devices can help a lot. You don't even need it to be perfectly accurate in its calorie estimates as long as it is consistent.

The benefits over regular check-ins with a doctor are consistent daily feedback. Combined with tools like MyFitnessPal (which is mentioned on Microsoft's page) it simplifies the overall process of weight management.

I have Garmin devices, but I expect the process is similar to what Microsoft hopes to offer. The fitness tracking device keeps track of movement. My GPS watch and heart rate monitor estimate running and cycling effort. That all goes into Garmin's online system, and produces a relatively consistent and realistic estimate of calorie burn. That data is shared with MyFitnessPal, where I track my food intake. When I open MyFitnessPal's app I can see how things are going for the day, and adjust my behavior according to how active I have been.

It sound complex, but it's mostly automatic. And 45 pounds later I'm a believer in the potential of these tools.

Re: Microsoft Band

#396

Post by goatforce5 »

meta wrote: post #347
darklajid wrote: post #215

- Click on 'Buy' - See 'you need a store to find out the right size' (reasonable) - Click on 'Find store' - Notice 'Only available in the US' - Close tab. Fail.

I was wondering if anyone had information about this. It looks like it ties to Microsoft HealthVault. That is not available in Canada. It appears (from the outside) that MS sold the "rights" to HealthVault to Telus, whom did absolute nothing with it. Does anyone know, is that the right read of the situation? Can MS ever offer HealthVault to Canada or will we have to hope that Telus will? Also, to the people below. As…

Oh. Huh. This was the first product that I would have entered a Microsoft Store to look at. I might have even bought one.

You've just saved me a trip. Thanks!

Re: Microsoft Band

#397

Post by scblock »

eitally wrote: post #272
piotrkaminski wrote: post #123

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

If you compare it more closely to a Garmin than to a Fitbit, this is reasonable/comparable battery life. A Garmin GPS watch will track 8-15 hours of activity, if you're lucky ... but without GPS and in pure watch mode will last a couple of weeks. I'd buy this to replace a Fitbit any day of the week.

Unless you compare it to a Garmin Vivosmart, which does notifications and lasts about 7 days. No GPS, but fully waterproof.

Or if you compare it to the just-announced but not yet available Fitbit Surge, which claims 5 days without GPS.

Two days is not much time in this space.

Re: Microsoft Band

#399

Post by brlewis »

robomartin wrote: post #391
rplnt wrote: post #207

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's weird though, isn't it? I would expect it to be waterproof. If not swimming, then just not having to worry about it when being in rain, washing hands, etc..

Agreed. Yet not one of my cellphones from iPhone and my old Blackberry back though various motorola's have been waterproof and that worked out OK for me. On a watch form factor this is kind of strange. These are the kinds of things that make me wonder what designers might be thinking sometimes or perhaps question the design process itself. Do they wash their hands? Do they cook? Have they ever had to walk a few block…

Fitbit Flex: http://help.fitbit.com/articles/en_US/Help_article/About-the...

While it is water resistant and can be submerged up to 10 meters, Flex is not designed to track swimming activities. If you want to better reflect your swimming activity and calories burned, we recommend logging the activity on the Activities page of your dashboard.

There are similar "About" pages for the other Fitbit trackers that you can get to easily from the page above. Most say something like this: Your Charge is water-resistant. It is rain and splash proof and can stand up to the sweatiest workout. Remove before showering or swimming.

Re: Microsoft Band

#400

Post by yaur »

blumkvist wrote: post #388
yaur wrote: post #361

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Fitbit uses a barometer/altimeter to work out the floors climbed so in place jumping shouldn't trigger it.

Is this too hard to make? Shouldn't 3 axis accelerometer be able to do it out of the box, if you program it? If somebody from these companies is reading... this is a killer feature! Lots of people jump and would throw money at you if you can integrate it into a fitness app.

Suunto supports third party "apps" and has a "rope skipping" app[1]. Can't vouch for its accuracy (I'm personally more interested in hiking/climbing features), but it exists.

http://www.movescount.com/apps/app10028993-Rope_Skipping_R3

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