It has been more than a year since Microsoft both released and discontinued and their only wearable gadget series, the Microsoft Band and Band 2. While both are great devices, the only one that was relatively successful on the market was the Band 2. Many people ended up purchasing this product because it is the best crossover between smartwatch and fitness band and because, unlike the Apple Watch, it's compatible with any modern smartphone, whether it's an iPhone, an Android Phone or a Windows Phone.
But as more and more people bought it, its design flaws came to surface (pun intended). Microsoft has been silently fixing these issues, but eventually, they just dropped the entire product line. That being said, the following question has probably arisen from the people who are looking to get a smartwatch: "Should I buy the Microsoft Band 2 in late 2016? Is it worth my money now that Microsoft ditched it?"
Since its launch in late 2015, the Band 2 has had a rough ride. It has problems with the silicone strap (it rips near the watch section) that Microsoft tried to solve by just making said straps thicker (it didn't work). Recently, they pulled it from their store (at the time of writing this you can still get it from Amazon). Furthermore, companies such as Apple and Fitbit that not only build products that have more features (such as being swim-proof, better app support, longer-lasting batteries, more advanced activity tracking) but also provide devices that don't break as easily or even have user-replaceable straps. On the subject of resistance, what good is any wearable if it can't take a splash or two? The Microsoft Band 2 has a ‘complicated’ relationship when it comes to liquids of any type. Officially, the Band is IPX7 certified, standard which states it can be placed in water for up to 30 minutes at 1-meter deep.
However, it’s important to note that IPX7 certified devices are rarely swimming friendly, as it’s the pressure of the water hitting the screen that causes ingest and breakage (not the mere immersion of it). And in fact, the guidance states not to swim with it.
However, the guidance is also quite contradictory. For example, it states: “Don’t immerse your Band in any liquid or place it in a washing machine.”. Or this: “Microsoft doesn’t guarantee that your Band will operate normally if you use it in water or other liquids. It may be damaged if water enters it.”.
Yet there’s also this statement: “Your Band is intended for indoor/outdoor use in the presence of rain, snow, or brief splashes of water.”
All of which contradicts each other, let alone the IPX7 rating. In any case, my point isn’t to kill it, but rather just to use it while taking a shower or while walking through the rain. Unfortunately, that’s not possible. Nor is it possible if you get sweaty or wet hands. Many touchscreens (including that of my Lumia 950 which is not, in any way, IP rated) work just fine if you get some water on their surface. Not the one on the Band 2. It could very well be a fault with my own device, but that's unlikely.
That being said, the Band 2 has other advantages: It is compatible with any modern smartphone capable of running Microsoft's Health app. Featuring guided workouts, weight logging, GPS tracking for runs, hikes and bike rides, the Band 2 comes close to being a very capable fitness band. Very close. That's because the Microsoft Health app on Android and iOS are the only ones that support all features... or rather the apps that enable said features. Within the Microsoft Health app, you can select to ‘connect’ the workout data from the Band to various platforms. This is similar to what Garmin, Fitbit, and others offer. In the case of the Microsoft Health App, you get the following options:
Furthermore, it does not require you to carry your phone around while you are exercising, unlike the Apple Watch.
When it comes to smartwatch functions, Microsoft's device can do a lot more than your average fitness tracker: You can view notifications, emails, check your calendar, weather and even reply to SMS text messages using the surprisingly precise T9 keyboard or by dictating to Cortana. What is weird is the battery life. On average I can get through about 2 days of normal usage (without the GPS on, only using the step-tracker and HR sensor). While the Apple Watch gets worse battery life (~30hrs, Apple states), it is somehow more natural to charge that one every night because it doesn’t do sleep tracking. Whereas the Microsoft Band tracks sleep – you want to wear it at night - If you really want to run the risk of breaking the straps while sleeping.
Despite being pretty fragile when it comes to physical resistance, it can do things that are a rarity for average fitness bands. Also, when it comes to physical activities and sports, the Band 2 manages to hold its ground against most competitors.
Let's take the Apple Watch Series 1 (it would be unfair to compare the Band against the Series 2) for example. It is priced a bit higher (270$), it lacks GPS and does not work without a phone nearby but you can run apps and customize the Watchfaces. So in many ways, it’s going to depend on what you want. If you want a great day to day smartwatch, it’s really hard to beat the Apple Watch. However, it’s not a great standalone fitness watch. It’s better when connected to a phone, but at that point, you’re still carrying a phone around. Add to that the complete lack of support for any device that is not an iPhone and the Apple Watch isn't a dangerous competitor anymore.
But as more and more people bought it, its design flaws came to surface (pun intended). Microsoft has been silently fixing these issues, but eventually, they just dropped the entire product line. That being said, the following question has probably arisen from the people who are looking to get a smartwatch: "Should I buy the Microsoft Band 2 in late 2016? Is it worth my money now that Microsoft ditched it?"
Since its launch in late 2015, the Band 2 has had a rough ride. It has problems with the silicone strap (it rips near the watch section) that Microsoft tried to solve by just making said straps thicker (it didn't work). Recently, they pulled it from their store (at the time of writing this you can still get it from Amazon). Furthermore, companies such as Apple and Fitbit that not only build products that have more features (such as being swim-proof, better app support, longer-lasting batteries, more advanced activity tracking) but also provide devices that don't break as easily or even have user-replaceable straps. On the subject of resistance, what good is any wearable if it can't take a splash or two? The Microsoft Band 2 has a ‘complicated’ relationship when it comes to liquids of any type. Officially, the Band is IPX7 certified, standard which states it can be placed in water for up to 30 minutes at 1-meter deep.
However, it’s important to note that IPX7 certified devices are rarely swimming friendly, as it’s the pressure of the water hitting the screen that causes ingest and breakage (not the mere immersion of it). And in fact, the guidance states not to swim with it.
However, the guidance is also quite contradictory. For example, it states: “Don’t immerse your Band in any liquid or place it in a washing machine.”. Or this: “Microsoft doesn’t guarantee that your Band will operate normally if you use it in water or other liquids. It may be damaged if water enters it.”.
Yet there’s also this statement: “Your Band is intended for indoor/outdoor use in the presence of rain, snow, or brief splashes of water.”
All of which contradicts each other, let alone the IPX7 rating. In any case, my point isn’t to kill it, but rather just to use it while taking a shower or while walking through the rain. Unfortunately, that’s not possible. Nor is it possible if you get sweaty or wet hands. Many touchscreens (including that of my Lumia 950 which is not, in any way, IP rated) work just fine if you get some water on their surface. Not the one on the Band 2. It could very well be a fault with my own device, but that's unlikely.
That being said, the Band 2 has other advantages: It is compatible with any modern smartphone capable of running Microsoft's Health app. Featuring guided workouts, weight logging, GPS tracking for runs, hikes and bike rides, the Band 2 comes close to being a very capable fitness band. Very close. That's because the Microsoft Health app on Android and iOS are the only ones that support all features... or rather the apps that enable said features. Within the Microsoft Health app, you can select to ‘connect’ the workout data from the Band to various platforms. This is similar to what Garmin, Fitbit, and others offer. In the case of the Microsoft Health App, you get the following options:
- Lose It!
- RunKeeper
- MyFitnessPal
- Health Vault
- MapMyFitness
- Strava
- TaylorMade | MyRoundPro
Furthermore, it does not require you to carry your phone around while you are exercising, unlike the Apple Watch.
When it comes to smartwatch functions, Microsoft's device can do a lot more than your average fitness tracker: You can view notifications, emails, check your calendar, weather and even reply to SMS text messages using the surprisingly precise T9 keyboard or by dictating to Cortana. What is weird is the battery life. On average I can get through about 2 days of normal usage (without the GPS on, only using the step-tracker and HR sensor). While the Apple Watch gets worse battery life (~30hrs, Apple states), it is somehow more natural to charge that one every night because it doesn’t do sleep tracking. Whereas the Microsoft Band tracks sleep – you want to wear it at night - If you really want to run the risk of breaking the straps while sleeping.
Despite being pretty fragile when it comes to physical resistance, it can do things that are a rarity for average fitness bands. Also, when it comes to physical activities and sports, the Band 2 manages to hold its ground against most competitors.
Let's take the Apple Watch Series 1 (it would be unfair to compare the Band against the Series 2) for example. It is priced a bit higher (270$), it lacks GPS and does not work without a phone nearby but you can run apps and customize the Watchfaces. So in many ways, it’s going to depend on what you want. If you want a great day to day smartwatch, it’s really hard to beat the Apple Watch. However, it’s not a great standalone fitness watch. It’s better when connected to a phone, but at that point, you’re still carrying a phone around. Add to that the complete lack of support for any device that is not an iPhone and the Apple Watch isn't a dangerous competitor anymore.
When Microsoft discontinued the Band 2, they already had the successor in development. In the near future we are unlikely to get a new wearable from the Redmond giant, but if you are on the lookout right now for the best all-rounder smartwatch there is, go get Microsoft's Band 2. If you are smart about your purchase, you might even snag one pretty cheap, as every major seller will want the remaining stock off their shelves, so be on the lookout for the discounts.
Thanks for reading, folks. Until next time, stay mobile, my friends.
Thanks for reading, folks. Until next time, stay mobile, my friends.
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