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Microsoft Band

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Re: Microsoft Band

#491

Post by adminprof »

lhl wrote: post #426
brlewis wrote: post #387

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you don't want to buy Fitbit Premium, there's always https://ifttt.com/fitbit or https://www.fitbit.com/apps or using the API yourself.

I double-checked just to make sure, but even via the API, you don't get your minute-level data, only consolidated information. Fitbit of course collects and stores this information, and makes it available as a "partner feature", they just don't make accessible to you - apparently you don't have any claim to your biometric data in their view of the world. Honestly, that's rather galling and makes me hope they burn in…

Thank you. I thought I was the only one who cared about getting the raw data out or was just missing something obvious. Why is it that hard to get the minute-by-minute data?

Re: Microsoft Band

#492

Post by lhl »

antjanus wrote: post #434
lhl wrote: post #427

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Actually, I think the psychological weight of both notifications and infoglut in general is a very valid concern, but I think making crazy assumptions / rants is silly. Case in point, what if I told you not only can you turn off the notifications completely (which we established earlier), and that no notification icons show up on the main screen (which is obvious from the video/screen shots - we're not talking about…

I totally get what you're saying and am happy to hear that it works that well but, I haven't seen anything like that in the shots. The only thing I've seen is the "do not disturb" mode which is probably what I'll do when I get it. I'd love to hear more about what you like about it and how it is. My main concern was basically not having yet another phone-like device that will annoy the crap out of me. And the Band is…

Here's my first day thoughts: http://randomfoo.net/2014/10/30/microsoft-band-overviewrevie...

Re: Microsoft Band

#493

Post by julianz »

joosters wrote: post #284
molmalo wrote: post #217

Earlier quoted context omitted.

According to the site, "Get a quick read of the UV Index so you can decide to apply sunscreen before you hit the road."

Couldn't you just look up at the sky to answer this question?

Ask all the tourists who come to Aus/NZ, go outside for a whole day and fry to a crisp. UV levels aren't necessarily related to sunlight.

Re: Microsoft Band

#494

Post by gggggggg »

ojbyrne wrote: post #124

I wanted to see Strava in the partner list. I would have clicked Buy Now if so.

I am surprised with a Find, that this is the only mention of the word strava on this page. Or have I not understood the device right?

Re: Microsoft Band

#495

Post by cyanbane »

ssully wrote: post #469
cyanbane wrote: post #414

I went and picked one of these up at lunch from local Microsoft Store/Kiosk. No line, walked right up. Sales person was very informative, helped with wrist sizing. Came with some small swag (Starbucks gift card, water bottle, etc). There were two other people at the store - one looking at Surface another started looking at Band as I was leaving, I noticed they were looking at mine as I tried it on. Not hard to purcha…

I would be really interested to hear any feedback you have on the device

Been wearing it since lunch, don't really notice it all that much however I usually wear a watch. I didn't opt for the opposite hand. It has time as a large numerical on the initial UI display, so felt it could take place of my watch. I do use it with the screen on the inside of my wrist, so when I want to look at device I hold up my arm, palm towards me. Feels a lot more natural than wearing it and viewing the UI "as a watch".

Went for a run, tracked the run well. I forgot to set the device to record for a run, but it did track my steps, mileage, etc pretty well (compared it to Moves App on iOS).

Getting texts and phone call alerts on it is pretty nice, actually. I have phone off to side charging and this is a good alert system (I'm using iOS as phone).

I wish they had a button press configuration that allowed for a "flashlight" like app to display all white-light on LCD. Would almost feel magical/wizardry when taking the dog out to pee.

Will try sleep (one the main reason I bought) tonight. I use "Sleep Cycle" app on iOS (I sometimes have problems sleeping) so will be interesting to compare Band vs that app's morning results.

Re: Microsoft Band

#496

Post by nnd »

jafingi wrote: post #181

Am I the only one who thinks the screen orientation is totally off? When you have it on your wrist, you cannot look at it without having your arm in a totally awkward position.

I had the same impression wearing it today.

Re: Microsoft Band

#497

Post by cyanbane »

jader201 wrote: post #424
cyanbane wrote: post #389

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They do (right hand users), watch on left hand (opposite), use mouse with right hand. This device would be on the right hand for those people - the same that they move the mouse with. My question is, will it interfere with using a mouse?

I'm confused then. Why would one wear this and a watch?

Good question. The initial UI displays time. I picked one up today and have been wearing it on my normal "watch" hand. That being said I have been wearing it so that the UI is on the inside of my wrist. Definitely feels more natural when sing the UI.

Re: Microsoft Band

#498

Post by bduerst »

krzyk wrote: post #270
simi_ wrote: post #223

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's ugly, but if I were in the market for a smartwatch/fitness tracker this might be the only one I'd bother with. As I find myself saying more and more, I love this new Microsoft. It's insane how much harm a single man can do.

Ugly? For me it's one of the best designs for a smartwatch (I think Samsung or Sony also have this "band" design), not the big clunky watches that were released this year.

I agree. It looks like something out of a scifi movie that tries to be trendy, which is a good thing in this case.

Re: Microsoft Band

#499

Post by TheTaO »

ghshephard wrote: post #304
sah88 wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Up to 48 hours. You can bet that is with everything off. Looks like its going to be a 1 day device with GPS/Heart Rate and moderate usage.

If it can get more than 3 hours with the GPS turned on, I'll be very, very impressed.

Gets five hours with GPS.

Re: Microsoft Band

#500

Post by nnd »

antjanus wrote: post #81
dominotw wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

I completely agree with you, I like the concept of "disappearing technology" because just about anything I want to do is somehow stupidly tied to a device with a screen. It's annoying. With that said, one of the main things I wish I could have during my workouts is something to track what I do without me having to manually input it. So, if it can count the number of reps I do, sweet. If it can count how many steps I…

You can disable notifications with ms band
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