Microsoft’s fitness wearable is the ‘Band’, revealed early in the App Store release [Updated with lot more details]

BY Evan Selleck

Published 30 Oct 2014

image Microsoft Band2

Microsoft’s wearable has been teased for quite some time now, but it looks like the device has been outed early thanks to a public release in the App Store and the Mac App Store.

It has been rumored for quite some time that Microsoft’s effort in the wearables market would feature iOS compatibility, but it would seem that a cloud-based device, which utilizes a companion application on the mobile device (which syncs to a Mac app) is the route the Washington state-based company has decided to go with.

The app for the Mac is designed to show data, while also allowing the user to sync data faster from the wearable as the devices charges from USB. It will work on Mac OS X 10 (and above), while also allowing users to restore the software on the band.

  • Works on Mac OS X 10 (and above)
  • Sync faster than with your phone while your device is charging over USB
  • Get updates and restore the software on your band

Along with the apps, Microsoft has also launched a new privacy webpage for Microsoft Health, which reveals some of the features one can expect in the wearable.

Microsoft Band sensors help you keep track of things like your heart rate, steps, calories burned, and sleep.

The sensors page provides more detailed information about sensors in Microsoft Band:

Data from sensors in your Microsoft Band, combined with the info you provide in your profile, are used to give you valuable info about your activity levels. The sensors in your Microsoft Band work together to collect data and calculate a single data point like calories burned or distance run. Turning on optional sensors can improve the accuracy of these calculations, but you’ll get useful info even when some sensors are turned off.

Optical heart rate monitor

Your Microsoft Band continuously monitors and reports your current heart rate. Measurements of the fluctuations in your heart rate help add quality to your calories burned measurements and to performance stats that you get when you track runs, workouts, and sleep. See Track your heart rate for more info.

Accelerometer/Gyrometer

The accelerometer/gyrometer in your band detects motion. This info is used to calculate things like number of steps taken, which can be combined with info from your profile and heart rate measurements to estimate how many calories you burn throughout the day or during a workout. For info on tracking these measurements, see Track your calories burned, Track your exercise, and Track your steps.

Motion and heart rate also indicate periods of restful and light sleep. For more info, see Track your sleep.

GPS

When you turn GPS on during distance travel activities like running, hiking, or biking, it records your route, and collects info about the distance you’ve travel. When you sync your band with your phone, you’ll find a map of your route in the Microsoft Health app so you can retrace your favorite routes later.

GPS data is also used to refine distance and speed calculations. Use the Run Tile to start and stop GPS tracking. For more info on the GPS, see Using GPS mapping.

Microphone

Use the built-in microphone to speak to Cortana, your personal digital assistant (available only on Windows Phone 8.1 Update). The microphone is near the left side of the touchscreen. When Cortana’s enabled on both your phone and on your band, just press and hold the action button, and speak into the mic. See Using Cortana for more info.

Ambient Light Sensor

Info from the ambient light sensor can be used to adjust the brightness of your touchscreen display automatically. To use this feature, set Brightness to Auto Set. Here’s how:
From the Me Tile on your band, swipe left, and tap Settings The Settings Tile > Brightness Brightness settings icon.

Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) sensors

The GSR sensor measures the conductivity of your skin between the GSR sensor under the clasp and the secondary GSR contact point under the face of your Microsoft Band. This tells your Microsoft Band whether you’re wearing it, so it can adjust how it monitors your activities.

UV sensor

Get a snapshot of the UV level where you are by tapping the UV Tile, so you can decide if you need sunscreen, a hat, or maybe a few hours indoors.

Twitter user @exiva has also discovered that the app will allow users to choose from 132 different backgrounds options for Microsoft Band.

It also looks like it may come with some sort of Starbuck integration.

Here are some screenshots of the Microsoft Band Sync app for iPhone:

Here are some screenshots of the Microsoft Band Sync app for Mac:

As of this writing, the “Microsoft Band Sync” app is still available as a free download from the Mac App Store, while Microsoft has stayed mum on the premature launch.

Update:

The apps are no longer available in the App Store and Mac App Store, however the privacy page and the Microsoft Band sensors page is still live at the time of writing this update.

[via 9to5Mac]