A new report casts doubt on the release of future versions of the Microsoft Band fitness wearable. It claims there will not be a new Band 3 released this year, or possibly ever, and efforts to get the Band to run Windows 10 have also reportedly been canceled.
According to ZDNet's sources:
Contacts told me recently that Microsoft has no plans to release a new Band fitness device this calendar year. I also heard that Microsoft disbanded the group of individuals who were trying to get the Band to run Windows 10 a number of weeks ago. But they weren't certain whether Microsoft might simply release a Band 3 running firmware at some point in the future. The first- and second-generation Band devices run custom firmware, not Windows.
In addition, our own sources have not heard any plans from Microsoft on launching a Band 3. An official statement from a Microsoft spokesperson to ZDNet is, as expected, very vague on the Band's future:
"We continue to invest and innovate in the Microsoft Health platform, which is open to all hardware and apps partners across Windows, iOS, and Android devices. We also continue to sell Microsoft Band 2 and remain deeply committed to supporting our customers and exploring the wearables space."
Microsoft is currently selling the Microsoft Band 2, which was launched in the fall of 2015, for $174.99 at its store site.
Reader comments
Microsoft Band's future in doubt; efforts to get it running on Windows 10 reportedly canceled
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I went through two Band 2's in just 3 months (bands kept breaking)...I switched to a Fitbit Surge...now I have a rash on my arm that hurts like hell...but my local microsoft store in SLC is awesome with support and they are refunding me the Fitbit Surge even though I've had it for 5 months. They are stellar! Hoping that MS has something up its sleeves with both Band 3 and Suface phone...as it is now, I had to switch to galaxy s6edge+ bc T-mobile didn't have a single windows phone when I left AT&T with my HTC M One 8.
To make matters worse, I bought the HP Elite X3; but now that I've been using Android for a year...the app-less windows store doesn't support my life (no smart home control app for nest or myQ etc, no chase bank, and now even myfitness pal has been dropped...) Add to that the issues with the phone stability and I think I'm going to return it and get the Note7 once the non-exploding version is available LOL!
Pretty sure there's at least 1 very good quality 3rd-party Nest app, coulda swore there was a review @WC recently, didn't pay attention as I have zero interest in thermostats, as I don't live in a place where it gets particularly cold/hot. No idea what myQ is, or if there's something just as good for W10M, Chase bank, no idea if there's an official app, if they have a quality mobile_optimised site that may be an option, banking apps aren't extremely complex, the lower level logic doesn't need an app to work well.
I do hope you've read some of the latest posts at WC about the X3...
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As an owner of Band 1, I like the external aesthetics of the Band 2. The firmware is no different in most areas, not in all from what I gather. Still not enough to give up the money for an updated outer shell. What I would like to see is more development into apps that run independently on the Band. Sure, the fitness pieces are genius. That's beyond doubt. I would like to see more apps, less notification sources. Widen the availability and function. Still a Band fan.
I wanted to not believe this, but WC is top notch with making sure what they report is accurate. I recently got all my money back for two Band 2s because of the rubber bands getting those rips. I was really hoping for a Band 3.
Nooooo! I love my Microsoft Band!!!!!!!
They have a long track record of abandoning devices early in their life cycle and then not delivering on promises. I hope they are not abandoning the band because I bought both generations of it.
absolutely an awesome device...hey does anyone have keyboard issue after the update on band 2? I cannot reply anything!
Two days after this proclamation of doom, Microsoft renames Microsoft Health app to Microsoft Band app.
And???
For several reasons why the renaming still means a possible shelving, see the much newer article on WC about the renaming.
Especially the comments (use default sort & sort by rating), some of which hypothesise quite respectably.
FWIW, I just signed a petition asking MS to keep the Band alive: https://www.change.org/p/microsoft-do-not-cancel-the-microsoft-band?recruiter=11604504&utm_source=share_petition&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=share_email_responsive
Yep, shared in this thread a few posts above, but can't hurt to share again...
as a consumer i am done with microsoft. They left me high and dry with Windows RT, they shoved a kinect down my throat and then did nothing with it, they promised and promised with WP and after years of let downs they ran away and abandoned us. Window 10 shoved down my throat and no help with my broken laptop despite repeatedly asking. MS band 2 , paid full price only to find it fails at most of its tasks and feel like i am wearing a pipboy. As a consumer i am done, time after time they under deliver, and fail to provide real interaction despite the monies spent. They have portions of the company that are trying and portions that just dont care. I can do much better and spend a lot less by just avoiding them,.... Who would buy into Halo lens with the way they have treated every other consumer release....
but they don't want to boost the sale of band 2. then they will band 3
"but they don't want to boost the sale of band 2. then they will band 3"
What? English please.
Sign the online petition for the band to go on!
The band is so much better than the iWatch and has a lot more potential !
https://www.change.org/p/microsoft-do-not-cancel-the-microsoft-band
MS is abandoning ship on their excellent hardware products! This is not the technical team that MS should fire but the Marketing guys...
Apple marketing team can make their customers dream and believe almost anything (so long it involves throwing cash at Apple)!
With their current UK TV campaign, they can even make them believe that the ipad Pro is a computer that can replace your laptop (sound familiar)!
Apple has invented (not) "cut and paste" on mobile devices!
Despite Steve Jobs claiming that Pen interface is not good. Now Apple has invented the magical stylus!
Next year, with the iPhone 8, they will certainly claim that they created the most amazing and magical technology ever, the iris scanner, which can change your life in a blink of an eye. Apple engineer put some magic (gold) dust in their products!
The poor sales don't result from poor technical product but from a very poor consumer marketing strategy for mobile and wearable devices...
For many consumers, MS is merely a company for Entreprise ONLY, not for the general public like Apple! hence no need to bother looking at MS products!
The same goes for app developer who don't even bother developing apps for Win10 mobile !
Many don't even know that they can port their iOS and Android app to UWP with the MS Bridge etc...
Many consumer don't even know that MS has consumer products and believe they only do PC and Server OS for Entreprise.
MS... stop firing excellent engineers (who will go to Apple and Google anyway) and change you Marketing team instead!
Come on Microsoft Marketing create your consumer brand and make us dream!!!
Tony.
It's funny - I was just at a health industry event where everyone was telling me about how terrible the battery life on their FitBits are (less than a day) and how many times their bands have snapped. And they were amazed at how good the MS Band seemed in comparison!
I hope MS will continue making Band - it offers a killer featureset at a good price, and the converged smartwatch/tracker is where the industry is going. Their failure is that they don't market it. :(
Microsoft for Consumers will soon be gone. Time to move on guys. It's the reality.
Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
With this decision, the ability and backing of Win10 IoT is also in doubt. If IoT is in doubt, no projects will be started, hence no data from the maker universe of the next three billion devices. No data from those devices, and your AI and bots and whatever fall flat on their asses. With them falling flat, what is left of the cloud and mobile era? I guess, Nadella needs to seriously revisit his strategy. This company has not introduced a #1 product for more or less a decade, and it gets worse. How does he want to fix this?
I don't know what my next phone should be? I like Lumia, which has dead
I don't know what my next phone should be? I like Lumia, which has dead
I think what everyone needs to remember, is that, MS IS NOT a product and production company. They are a software and service company. WP, the Band, and Surface PCs were all 'produced' by MS to showcase what MS software and services could do in the hopes that their OEM partners would pick up the ball and run with it.
Lumia is NOT being replaced by surface phone...thats the thing. Surface phone is vaporware made up by dreaming fanboys.
my band I and band II both broke after 6 months, the rubber design is a disaster (eventually it will crack) and the Microsoft support is even worse. at the moment I'm using a fitbit blaze and while it doesn't has as many possibilities as the Microsoft band it has a superior design with removable straps (alot cheap 3th party ones available) My Microsoft bands were just a good try but eventually they couldn't make their expectations true
If lumia is being retired and replaced by surface phone. Then why not retire band and replace with surface watch and a surface fit. Surface for prosumer, Xbox for gamers. HoloLens is the tricky one unless it gets renamed as the Surface Hololens.
Gj once again Microsoft. Never fails to disappoint me.
OMG! The worst news of the year. I was hoping that Band would take part in Surface division someday and bring out possible (smart) features than just being a fitness wearable. 2 incarnations are all for nothing? Have to ask, does the Band running in failure mode in the market?! So far so good with band (it was heading in the right direction), how hard is it going to be to make it run Windows 10? Seriously, ppl love what msft does, no matter how costly it gets and in the end msft just decides to close everything ppl love and whatever that's not giving them a calculated profit. If msft is all about consumers, they should reconsider this. After all, Health app would look like a head without the body.
the surface is soon not going to be taking part in the surface division.
Oh no! Please dont kill the last MS device that I can afford and the one that I also like very much!
Why would they walk away from the Band? It has some real potential.
So will they bring back the previous Microsoft Health app??
If Microsoft can't get Windows to work on something substantial like a band, it does not give confidence that Windows will be competitive on smaller devices for IoT. If Microsoft does not wish to participate in bolstering Windows in the mobile ecosystem, why would other brands join a shrinking system? If Microsoft is withdrawing from the comsumer space, how could members of the corporate world recommend something for their corporations which they don't use on a daily basis, or not embrace a brand for their workplace which they are more confident with as a consumer?
Microsoft must realize that those who use iPhones tend to gravitate towards Macs, as on so many campuses. The corporate cloud-first vision needs the consumer mobile-first vision as a prop. Microsoft stood a chance with Salesforce because many consumer users are already familiar with Outlook. Retreating from the consumer space will shrink their corporate reach in the long run. Not being supportive in one sector (Windows 10 mobile for only a small number of handsets, abandoning many users in 8.1 or even 7) can be construed as not likely to be reliable in another.
A Windows Central that only caters to the corporate type---because the consumer type is no more---will not attract too many advertisers either. :(
Totally agree
At this point it's better to be an isheep than a wsheep. isheeps are being taking care off.
It doesn't need W10, it will never run UWP. It is still the best wearable out there.
Try to make MS managers understand that. It seemed they set themselves some unrealistic goal with the band.
still the best wearable out there......REaLLY.....a timex ironman is a better wearable......Not to mention anything running android wear, or APPLEs watch that is friggin awesome compared to this goiter laden, obviously faulty piece of garbage.
You have got to be kidding me! I love my band but the strap only lasts 6 weeks before I have to take it back for a new one. I've had 5! It's not sustainable, I was holding out for a fix. Now I'm to be abandoned with NO fitness wearables compatible with MS Health, what's it for if there's no wearable!?!?. All that data, all that training, basically goes into an archive I can't transfer to the service my new fitness wearable uses. Again, what is MS Health for if it's not connected to ANYTHING!!!!
I'm an idiot. A Mug. A fool! I've had:
Windows RT - abandoned,
Windows phone - abandoned
Windows 8.1 - abandoned,
Microsoft band - abandoned
I think I might be done with this.... Seriously.
You have iOS and Android to choose from.
ditto...I jumped off the titanic. you should too. Life is MUCH better having everything at your finger tips instead of always waiting for that solid OS release, or that app that might come.....or that wearable that claims functionality, only to say no, MS won't let us access stuff needed. MS is a JOKE.....a total JOKE.
I feel your pain man. I too am on my 5th and just found out the other day I split that one. I really thought I had the newer one that had a stronger band. I think my initial Band 2 lasted longer than any of the replacements which is the sad thing.
Ugghhh! I love the Band 2 but I should probably just get a refund. Just realized today I split the straps of my 5th one!!!! :( Here I thought I got the new one that has strong straps. Luckily the replacement is easy as going to the store. I'm seriously thinking about just saying either screw it and ask for a refund or just heatshrinking it together. As a huge fan of the band I'm not sure what else to replace it with. Looks like I have some reviews to sift through.
No Surface Phone and now the MS band so it is Good night and good bye Microsoft.
I love my Band 2 and was really looking forward to a Band 3 because I expect that the battery in the Band 2 is probably only good for 2 years. Microsoft needs to start making a serious effort to promote and sell its excellent products, instead of killing them off.
I don't personally like the design of the band things. I wanted MS to release a more traditional type smart watch. But still I hope they don't just abandon the watch thing altogether.
what other devices integrates with microsoft health?
I don't have the Band and now it looks like I never will, so no loss for me.
What is very bothersome IMO is that there are no third party fitness devices natively supporting Health app and/or running Windows IoT, not a single rumor even? That is very disconcerting and makes me question the future of their Health platform overall. Even their own Healthvault is still barely chugging along with an outdated WP8 app, not touched in years.
I'm seriously considering other options to track my health data, not just fitness activities.
It's as if Microsoft has stopped trying anymore.
They stopped trying when they cancelled windows phone 8 and windows 8....Now its just a data mining OS...
I am a glutton for disappointment. I owned every generation of Zune, had a number of Windows Mobile devices, was a devoted Verizon Windows Phone user, and am on my second Band - all abandoned by Microsoft. I love my Band and especially the new Explore tile (I hike, often.) No one else has anything similar. * Sigh *
I love the Explore function too! Such an underrated device.
I really like my Band2. The Lumia line is finished. But maybe a new mobile device will return from MS - maybe some sort of mobile computer like phone and mobile computer you can put on your wrist, running W10.
I can live without a 'smart watch' - was not that much of a game changer for me. And there will be other brands.
A mobile...well that is a different story. I like the MS ecosystem. I don't want to move to iOS or Android.
Nokia - come back (with a magically perfect OS)!
Nokia are coming back with a magically perfect os from the box....its called ANDROID!
I agree with MAd4beef, wait until the Microsoft October event, It's almost here.
Honestly, I'm halfway expecting Band 3 AND the Surface Phone to be announced... We'll see, tho.
Undertakers are putting in overtime at Redmond. Firing entire teams and departments at a time. Next we'll be reading how a bump in earnings at Microsoft and all will be forgotten and forgiven...again. What's probably happening is MS is planning to OUTSOURCE parts of its hardware division. So we will probably see the Band, Surface phone, Xbox or some name like it come from BLU, Xiaomi or some other no name vendor.
People ask me about my band 2 all the time. They never heard of it because as far as I can tell, MS didn't lift a finger to advertise it. Another half assed effort to introduce a solid product.
I understand why MS didn't advertise its Lumia line, but im shocked they never tried to do anything with the Band. It's best in class, as far as im concerned, and would've appealed to a wide audience.
Band 2 is a very good device. I don't have any doubts regarding its future, but I have serious doubts on Microsoft's intentions. Microsoft want Band 2 to perform better, but it don't want to sell it outside U.S. and some other selected markets. It shows how choosy Microsoft is. They are ready to sell Band 2 for $175 in the U.S. But they are not ready to sell it in India for ₹12,000. If this is your strategy Mr, Nadella, then you are not going to sell even an underwear.
It wasn't supposed to be a real product initially and if they can't get UWP apps to run on it maybe it doesn't make sense anymore. With all of the hardware issues they had with the Band 2 I wouldn't be surprised if they just killed it off.
Too bad many of the 3rd party options don't support WP
It's inexcusable that MS made no effort to promote/advertise this device.
Such hullabaloo over non-news. Windows 10 Mobile is not dead, yet. As long as there are OEMs that build for it. Lumia is dead but no one, surely, is surprised? Surface Phone.. Maybe will come to fruition, maybe won't. What difference does it make? None of recent events should be surprising or taken as a slant towards anyone personally. Xbox One is hardly a failure. Not #1, sure, but hardly a failure.
As soon as MS sells out of lumia stock, They are shutting down w10m. That may take 2 -3 years now, come to think of it....since they have like 5-6000 in stock and sell probably one per month. Nah, you guys are good for a while with the constant waiting and coming soon™ promises.
I love my Microsoft Band 2 when it works and isn't broken.... My problem is, I still haven't managed to keep one more than 90 days without it either going dead and nit charging, or splitting. So far I've had 5 of them and will be sending another back tomorrow.... Horrible design flaws.... I would have given the band 3 a try....
I had the same issue with my first Band 2 after 5/6 months. I've had my second one (no problems) for 2/3 months. So far so good.
In how many countries did they actually release the Band 2?
Exactly.
There are tons of fitness bands on the market, almost all of them better than the Microsoft Band. And the best ones even support Windows Phone.
This was more than expected
Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
Which ones do you think are better? Im genuinely curious.
Fitbit, Garmin.....At this point the timex triathalon ironman watch is a better fitness tracker than the band.
The connection to my phone is what I use Band 2 for most. I get notices of incoming calls, even when my phone is not in the same room. Calendar, email and messages hit my Band before I see then anywhere else. I change the wallpaper often for a fun screen and colors. When with wired headset I can see my music and other media playing and change volume or tracks without opening my phone.
Windows Mobile is next. Set your dates, start researching for alternatives.
Re-reading this, im no longer that upset. Okay, so the Band 3 or whatever the next Microsoft Wearable is will not run Windows 10 IoT. Okay. Plenty of other options, including firmware as-presently done.
Except the alternative sounds delayed or canceled as well. That's not good.
I was so looking forward to a Band 3, as i just bought a Lumia 950XL. IT would be so awesome to upgrade from my gear fit from Samsung. As i'm still using my Note4 but soon will be switching carriers and phones.
Honestly, you should try the Band 2. It's very good.
What if they are planning on releasing a new product? They are clearly invested in the wearable space and know they can't just pull out. Just like they are with mobile. The band hasn't been successful. It's clear that the market is going towards more powerful devices, like the Apple Watch. What if Microsoft was planning on launching a watch under Panos' direction. Keep in mind, the band was always half hearted. They literally announced it at 7pm the night of the World Series. Microsoft is going to invest where there is growth. Why keep investing in a market that Fitbit has already won? Go after the market that isn't established yet. Just like they did with tablet. Create a watch that makes us more productive, not just something that looks nice. Apple has yet to provide a good selling point for the Apple watch. But the market has voiced that they are very interested in such a device. They just know that the Apple watch isn't productive. It's just a glorified notification. I just believe that this is a market that Microsoft can really bring value. Who's the biggest watch wearing market? Businessman. This is their market.
Ha ha....apple watch not productive? You can do EVERYTHING that the band 3 can, plus 1000000000000 times more. MS has nothing productive in their mobile lineup......that is a great joke Tylo5.
Love the negative votes for the truth!
Interestingly...the Microsoft Health app is rebranded as Microsoft Band... Why would there do that it they are going to shelve the product
For several reasons why the renaming means possible shelving, have a look at the much newer article on WC about that renaming.
I really love my band 2, but I like ti refresh periodically. As long as ut doesn't split again I am good on 6th band 2. It works perfectly for my running, biking, workouts, and basketball. I can respond to wife and kids during these events as well. Don't get me wrong I support MS but others don't and if band leaves I may look other places. I work in a primarily Windows shop and the Windows 10 (phone) integration is great but they have to differentiate soon.
Probably they look at the cost of all the faulty rubber replacements and don't see the benefit of a Band3. Terrible news if true. My Band2 is fantastic and many of my friends got one after seeing what it can do. Microsoft needs to push innovation in hardware and stop cancelling products and instead market them properly.
If that first sentence were true, then it would mean that Microsoft knows it is incapable of building a quality piece of hardware. That it would be unable to make a wrist strap that isn't trash would be pretty pathetic, because that's probably the EASIEST part of the design for the competition.
First mobile now wearables... So that's two platforms down for the universal app platform argument. I was really excited to start to see some exciting apps come to the platform but im starting to lose faith that Microsoft even cares about the consumer segment anymore.
First mobile now wearables... So that's two platforms down for the universal app platform argument. I was really excited to start to see some exciting apps come to the platform but im starting to lose faith that Microsoft even cares about the consumer segment anymore.
I couldn't care less about this news, my Band was an absolute ripoff for what it is and the Bluetooth functionality has never worked properly and the battery doesn't even last a day any more and this is straight after replacing my first Band (which had the same problems) because of the thing splitting. I am definitely going to ditch it and go with a top level Fitbit.
379 dollars is an absolute joke for this thing, Microsoft need to actually make a premium device if they want to charge a premium price.
Didn't stop them with the $450 Lumia 830 and its budget-level SoC, or with the inflated price tag of the Lumia 950 on AT&T ($50 more than the unlocked version, simply for being on AT&T).
I will be very disappointed if this is true. I need a fitness tracker for some time now, but I didn't buy any as I was waiting for a Band 3 running Windows Phone 10 on October. Now I will have to buy a Fitbit.
Definitely get a Fitbit, they are better.
Yes, even though you cannot do everything with the fit bit, the basics work with windoh's 10.
I don't get it. It's an awesome product, and another one MS does not care as much as they should. Like Kinect, Windows mobile, and probably Hololens in a few years. Disappointing.
Oh, HOLOLENS they care about, it has business applications out the yin yang. However, you will never ever be able to purchase one at a store, or for personal use.
Folks, there WILL be a "NextGen" Microsoft Band. It's not "aBANDoned" (I know, I'm not clever) however the way it plays out WILL be a little different than what previous October plans looked like. #ChinsUp
This isn't Twitter. Giving us nothing but baseless speculation as fact with a hashtag means nothing.
So what exactly did the previous October plans look like?
Shame, it's an excellent device that I have come very close to purchasing on more than one occasion. The problem is that for most people, it's a nice to have just like any other wearable at this stage. If there's a Band 3 and it's running Windows 10 then the likelihood of me buying it, along with anyone else who has a Windows 10 PC, tablet, phone and Xbox, will increase dramatically.
Stick with it Microsoft!
I just bought a Band 2 to replace my Band 1. I don't know of any other fitness trackers that have guided work outs. If there is one, please list.
So, to recap:
Nokia is dead (Elop didn't stay, basically every employee from the acquisition fired)
Pureview is dead (imaging chief left)
Lumia is dead (no more of those coming)
Band is dead
Kinect is dead (games not in development, Fitness shutting down in 2 months, UI nav already stripped)
Most game development is dead (only Halo, Gears, Forza, and Minecraft remain)
All we get to keep is data mining (Cortana) and overpriced (W10 EE, Office 365, Groove) services.
Hit the nail again Keith! well said brother!
Groove will be the next to shut down. Nobody knows about it. MS doesn't advertise it. It is written in the cards.
Microsoft has not shown any hardware (first or third party) that shows the potential of Windows 10 IoT, and by extension has not shown the potential of universal apps on wearables. That does not look promising.
Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
Could say the same for W10M, thanks to build quality issues and general lack of design aesthetics with the W10M family (650. 950, 950 XL).
Well I love the band 2, design is lighter and less clunky than my normal watch...and lighter...and my battery does well over a day...if the straps weren't so rubbish it would be perfect, I'm on my 3rd now and hope I get a 4th before they run out and my warranty is up...not sure what I'd get instead...
I am still using the first one... it works great and has not fallen apart unlike my wife's three fit bits. Oh and works fine on 10 android and ios. Samsung gear or Apple watch doesn't.
Posted via the Windows Central App for Android.. But waiting for the HP Elite so I can get rid of this junkie Galaxy S5...
Anecdotal. My sister had both her Band AND her Band 2 break. My mom's Band was OK, but her Band 2 broke. In the case of my sister's Band 2, MS told my sister to drive 2 hours to get it replaced at the nearest MS Store, and then the manager tried to argue with her that it wasn't allowed (my sister had done exactly this with her first Band, no problem), before finally relenting. However, my sister's FitBit One didn't break.
The Surface Band with solve all Microsofts health band problems. Just like the Surface Phone will solve all the mobile issues it has.
Comes with tiny stylus!
Lol, really? They never made it available in most parts of the world anyway...
Band was never good. Perhaps 3rd iteration would have been better (MS tradition).
What tradition is that? XB1 was a step back from the 360, in terms of relative power and commitment to development.
What does that even mean? Like seriously. Relative power? you can literally twist that to mean anything at all. Commitment to development? Did they not put an entire new OS on it? Did they not continuously add new features(and continue to do so)?
The 360, when launched, it carried hardware that was pretty high-end by PC standards. The XB1 launched in 2013 with 2011 parts that weren't even impressive by 2011 standards. The XB1 hardware, compared to a PC, is just abysmal. The 360 wasn't like that. My statement was that the 360 isn't stronger than the XB1, but if you put both in the context of their repsective releases (relative), the 360 carried stronger hardware (power).
As for the rest, it's all a matter of opinoin. "new OS" doesn't mean "better OS," as some still don't like the UI of the XB1. I's 2016, and we JUST got background music, something that the 360 had 11 rears ago, when it launched. Oh, and that background music requires you to play with Microsoft's online services; you can't play off of a PMP or HDD or rip a CD to the console, like you could in 2005. Instead, the background music of today comes as a clear attempt to get you to pay MS for the trouble of not taking features away. They also axed several game studios and projects, they've all but murdered the Kinect they kept saying "is Xbox One," they took out gesture-based navigation, they're about to shut down Xbox Fitness, and they TRIED to gut the "Xbox," voice commands to force everyone to have their speech data mined by Cortana to use that Kinect they told us was essential to the console. So, yeah, they add stuff to the console, but they're also missing things from the past generation, and even 2 generations ago, and they're taking things out.
Basically, I look at Xbox One a lot like I look at Groove Music--being decent now isn't a big win, simply because you made something that was a total mess at the start (how Xbox Music was gutted of features with WP8.1, how Xbox terribly conveyed Kinect and needed to majorly overhaul several things over the first year as it fell miles behind the PS4).
100% correct keith. Data mining is all MS is interested in now!
My heart is broken...like the rubber straps on every band 2 ever made.
Microsoft will not go far by ignoring the consumer market. If their board believes in all the crap Satya is doing, I wonder myself what the hell have they been smoking?
Posted via the Windows Central App for Android
Quite the opposite. The consumer market has ignored MS and the board knows it. MS will not throw good money away to engage in battles with Apple and Android. I bet you a million bucks the board has data and analysis that shows Windows consumer products would only sell this much in this market and sell that much in that market and the numbers are dismal. MS has to get into areas in which they can earn profits by competing (cloud, enterprise, etc.). The consumer space is not included. They is why MS wants OEMs to take the [consumer] baton.
MS can't compete if it doesn't advertise and support its products. Every great thing that MS dropped had zero visibility to the general public. I made a tweet to MS inquiring about why they dont advertise the Band 2 about eight months ago. Their response was "check out these YouTube videos."
Sad.
Whelp. Maybe they'll make Surface Watch instead?
Ethan, you made a funny! ha ha. The surface watch is as close as the surface phone is in becoming a real product. and thats not remotely close to ever happening.
This really isn't that surprising. I love the concept behind the Bands but the execution has been lackluster. While the Band 2 was an improvement over the Band 1, that isn't saying much. I am still using a Band 1 and I almost got a Band 2 until I started seeing people with Band 2's having the same kind of issues I was having with my Band and Windows 10 Mobile. For Band 1 I'm okay with that since it was designed for Windows Phone 8.1, but for the Band 2 that is completely unacceptable. I am still hoping for a waterproof Band 3 that actually works with Windows 10 and I am willing to wait for the rumored Spring 2017 hardware event for it, but if it doesn't happen then I guess I'm going with Fitbit.
Jeez. This rumored October event better blow the lid off with new hardware. I enjoy my L950, Surface Book, and gen 1 MS Band and... killing two out of three aint good. :( Really hope I don't have to go to android out of the need for reliability (for support), but Microsoft seems to be doing their best to kill all goodwill. It sure seems that goodwill is drying up quickly, so... success?
Bland basic beige boxes in the rumored october event. They blend in with the decor of cubicals!
You confused them with Apple. The same basic aluminum rectangle for the past fifteen years.
No buddy, I don't. Apples devices are far from boring. They are built with quality, and not cheap plastic crap like all the new microsoft junk. flexy fuzzy keybord covers? wtf is that. At least use a material that has strength and does not wear after 2 months to look like a total P.O.S. And OEM stuff is bland boring boxes...Yes the Mac Pro is an aluminum rectangle, the imac is an aluminum rectangle (that every other AIO wants to emulate.
It's simple. There's no money to be made with these. MS is losing tons of money on these. Not enough customers. Too much expense for a niche gadget. Even if these things were perfect and flawless in every way possible they wouldn't sell enough of them to earn profits. The Android and Apple users are too entrenched (invested) with their respective eco-systems that they will not jump ship and buy a MS Band. The same is happening with the phone side of the equation. MS knows they cannot and will not go head to head with iOS and Android. That race is over. There's no need to get upset.
I'm now finding it difficult to convince myself to invest in any Microsoft platform other than buying a computer with windows on it. They just go into markets (OneDrive unlimited storage, health, mobile phones) and change their mind leaving me invested in something that no longer exists.
It's happened one too many times.
Such a shame, but they're burning consumers over and over again with their lack of vision.... Or at least by changing their minds constantly.
A
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Hey Satya... "Embrace, Extend, Extinguish" wasn't meant to be applied to your own products.
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After my experiences with both band 1 & 2, they are junk!! I had 4 band 1, all with battery cover disintegration along with some kind of 'paint' on the HR and charging port. Exchange, wear, return, exchange etc... They swapped for band 2. Another piece of junk. On third one now and the strap has split again!!! Then my boy is on his 3rd band 1, same issues, and the wife has just received her second band 2 exchange. Utter rubbish. Wife and son will be going refund route as, along with my issues, I went through global escalations, and they were brilliant, the product?? Not so.
Hopefully they are dropping because they are afflicted with design flaws. Gone to Fitbit now, and no nickel rash, no splitting straps, no issues. I miss the notifications, but at least it hasn't self destructed!!
Another product group where Windows is not present; phones and wearables
Its news like this that makes my heart sink.
Apple wins. Can't beat them
Except many have, and still do.
How long will they be "Exploring" the wearables space? Seems like they've been exploring to long already. Time to **** or get off the pot. Listen to your customers, come out with a device, and actually advertise it instead of hoping it catches on without a lot of effort.
This might throw me over the edge. Might be time to weigh my options between iOS and Android. I still think Windows desktop and Xbox are better than the competition, but everything else is losing it. We'll see how my bonus and tax refund are and decide then.
Axmantim,
Come towards the light! you can do it, walk through the door, oppps, I mean open the window and crawl through. Enjoying the fruit on the trees over herre and im sure you would too!
Its been retrenched!!!
Let's try retrenching Nadela next time.
Why I made the switch to Apple. I wanted to be more productive, now I have the apps I need to do so and a watch that I can depend on that gets updates. My Band 1 still sits there with no updates, can't even get basic music playback controls, and a Lumia 920 with no official update to W10, and a Lumia 900 that was released 2 months before the Apollo annoucement just to find out it was EOL, then taking out a useful tablet interface in favor of a gimped tablet interface. Not sure, but I think Microsoft has a track record for burning products and their consumers.
At the prices apple charge, you ought to feel burnt there as well.
Are Apple's prices that much different than Microsoft's? The biggest difference is the Apple product will receive support and actually work.
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Apple's products aren't even priced that differently from the competition when launched, they just hold their value better (because a) people still want them, and b) that is the strategy Apple went with and c) there is no direct competition, if you want iOS/whateverOS you need to go Apple).
Worth every penny! devices that are awesome to use, everything works as it should and its smooth and stable. I just updated to IOS10 and its fully functional, smooth, fast and stable. unlike updateing phones to windows 10 mobile where everything freezes, locks, is missing features that are going to be added "soon".....the price of my apple products are just fine. don't tell them but I would be happy to pay twice as much because they work so well! Unlike my windows devices where i sold them off for pittance.
Yeah, because nearly $400 for a device which it's sole unique features don't even work on Windows 10 is a fantastic investment, right?
I've never ever cared about the Band. All I care about is a simple wearable that vibrates on a new notification from the Action Center.
Just that.
No, that doesn't fit into Microsoft's business strategy.
What you ask is the Pokemon Go tracker like... Very simple, easy and at nearly no cost.
Will Microsoft push their Health platform forward by including other smartwatches or fitness trackers to be compatible with Microsoft Health app (other than their very unique Band) ?
Will it be interesting to buy a Microsoft Band 2 at the end of 2016 ?
Band 2 is junk!! The actual functions and design of the item are pretty good. Build quality is p*ss poor. It will probably arrive with sharp edges by the display, the ratchet for the clasp will probably have marks on it... And that's before you use it!
There is a 99% chance you will learn the returns address label verbatim. In use you will wonder if there is a battery in there as I found battery life very poor. Sometimes I got a whole day!! If I was lucky!!
The strap WILL split. The ratchet system where the clasp fits will scratch and scuff ridiculously. How the hell did they allow that through?? You have to take the damned thing off to charge it, and that damages the finish!!! WTF??
Avoid like the plague. Have a look on the forums and you will see what I mean!!
I know but on french forums like MonWindowsPhone.com for example, people buying the Band 2 since a couple of months ago doesn't suffer from the wrist problem.
The problem of edges and marks aren't really said on Amazon.co.uk & MSStore.co.uk and the battery life is 2 days (never more then 2 days but more than 1 day since the latest firmware update) when you use it normally (no Cortana each 10 seconds, checking your stuff when necessary but not when nothing arrive and use it for its purpose (fitness)).
So, will it be interesting to buy it at the end of 2016 ?
Ah, by the way, if you think the Band 2 isn't interesting at all, what other smartwatches or fitness trackers are compatible with Microsoft Health app AND offer same functionalities than the Band ?
If it has more functionalities like, for example, for swimming person, it will be interesting for me.
Fitbit Surge.
No need to install the fitbit app ? Is it compatible with Microsoft Health (all informations gived by the Surge can be imported) ? I prefer to use only one app for all what touch trackers.
man i miss ballmer if he done what this guy doing then there wont be surface devices....if he stopped with vista/8 failure there wont be windows 7/10...if apple stopped after failure of many projects there wont be iphone....what d hell is wrong with CEO....i think one day apple will buy microsoft under satya...same as nokia sold for microsoft under elop(trojan horse planted by microsoft) this is what nokia fans used to say in early days which came true eventually..
Unless they're getting ready to announce a Windows wearable platform with 3rd party hardware support then I have serious problems with this. The MS Band is a great fitness band, possibly the best overall, but Windows is in serious need of a smartwatch platform that can work with any device. I honestly don't know who they believe will continue using Windows if they don't start competing heavily in things like mobile pay, wearables and IoT.
I think they need a third party to build them. Their efforts are a joke. They aren't fit for wearing normally, let alone for fitness. The build quality is horrific. Did they actually do any testing on these for durability????
Well, you can f*** yourself, MS. I have had enough. I have been a loyal user for some much time, I really wanted to get something good from you; but it seems the Company hates itself and the consumers. It's amazing.
Blimey, calm down. If you had a band you could see your misreported heart rate!! ;-)
Oh come on guys... Band/smart watches are a niche product... Only few people actually buy them compared to smart phone users... And don't tell me that you can't run without knowing your heart rate...
I can't run without knowing my heart rate.
Wow. Microsoft abandoning a line? Say it isn't so...
Version 3 was the one I was finally hoping to buy. I thought all the kinks would be worked out by then
Good...grief... The sky is falling again.
Frankly, I think they're still trying to fix the band 2. It has improved but for some of us the thing falls apart almost monthly. They need to get their durability issues fixed before they should even think about a new device. And if they can't? Then it does need to go away.
Every time my band breaks, I go back to my pebble, and am struck with awe at the utterly amazing progress that *fans* have made getting it working in the unofficial realm. Perfect notification support, calendar sync, and even watchfaces with settings. It feels like the best is yet to come.
what, let me guess, partners should fill the hardware void? lol as vague as that PR response is, thats what it seems to suggest
the "partners" tried, but windows 10/m will not allow them to do so. Hence the reason there are no wearables or connectable accessories for windows devices!
I see a lot of criticism against Satya Nadela and can't figure out why. As a CEO he pushed Windows Phone/Mobile that in Europe had around 10% market share to..., aaahh, let me see, oh to 0.1 % ?!! Great item to put in his resume.
Ok forget that one; how about Halolens; he did try to pretend that no one in Halolens team knew what it's good for, right? It was his vision that figure out such an incredibly advanced and genuinely new technology can have some uses /s. Cloud is safe because he gives credit to himself for that, but he's giving everything else away for free. At the end of his term, are we going to wonder if he was a trojan horse?
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Because he is an idiot.
He wasn't talking about you.
No, he was talking about you. I'm well aware of that. But thanks for helping prove my point.
Ahhh. That's where he went wrong! He was pushing Halolens, when everyone else was working on Hololens. Got it. ;-)
While I understand the company's plan to have Windows 10 as a service and on everything they possibly can, I don't see an issue with the Band running its own firmware (from a consumer perspective). I would rather see the Band survive and improve than have it all thrown in the garbage simply because it doesn't run Windows 10. Oh well, I plan on getting the most out of my Band 2 for as long as it continues to work.
That's a brave statement. Lol ;-) One of those rare items where the support outlasts the device.
2050. Grandad, what is Microsoft?
/They used to make beautiful beta software and devices back in their time.
Worst CEO ever. He is doing same what Stephen elope had done to Nokia. Really shame on Nadella to behave like that.He is really a loser and cheater.
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Bhagirath, He is doing what Jim Balsillie did with Blackberry.....thats even worse. He is hyper focused on one thing and the rest of the company is suffering greatly because of it.
Before the years out the surface phone will be cancelled to if there was even gonna be one in the 1st place.
Yep. We have all lost faith in this lame duck CEO. The token non-American.
Another good product being flushed. I love my Band. Maybe, just maybe, if they would have advertised the Band it would have done better. I know, crazy concept.
Good. The band is a joke. When it was first announced, I thought it was amazing... but then I tried it on in the store.... yikes. Then version 2, surely they would of fixed the clunky feeling but no.... that clasp, Wow! Horrid
the goiter under your wrist....They could surely figured that out...
Hysterical, one little half baked article comes out and the nay Sayers flock to bleat the sky is falling. My Band 1 was good, my Band 2 is great and my Band 3 will be fantastic. Seriously, sometimes these threads are just sad, especially when they are full of androobs.
It's more than that for me. I was a Windows Mobile 6.5 user, then WM 7, then 8 and now 10. Basically 3 reboots. Also owned a Surface RT which was scrapped and now my Band 2 will likely go I un- supported within a year. My 950 will not see a successor - the battery is terrible anyway. Don't even get me on the lack of apps or app update. My Amex app has never worked, the Delta app sucks and hasn't been updated in a year. The new XM app on W10 doesn't work for me either. I'm just frustrated with MS all together. Sadly I'm most likely gone in 6 months unless the Surface Phone overwhelms. Love my Surface 3 though!
Band 3? ha ha ha....You mad funny bro!
The Band 2 is far from great.
Band 3? Did you just get back from the future? How's WM doing? Is it still around or has it been cancelled? Please share your insights!
Satya Nadella is actually being utterly terrible for Microsoft's consumer tech business in his obsession to move everything to the Cloud or subscription stuff.
Just terrible.
If you think he's bad for consumers, you should try being an employee. I left right as he was taking charge and it was dark. He's all about next quarter and the profit takers...I mean investors... now.
So...Occamsmonkey, You were a MS employee? and its exactly how I have been portraying it....NICE! I have been right all along. Of course I have, I am not a spring chicken, been around the block, and successfully ran 2 companies to sell and make big profits from them. Yep. CALLED THIS ONE ALL DAY LONG....BUT HEY I KNOW NOTHING.
I said all this when he first took hold and most here said I had no clue what I was talking about in reference to him.
Missonsparta...I said the exact same thing. He has no clue. And I guess we are having the last laugh now. We were right all along. he's a nimrod.
Cloud, cloud, cloud.
HI effin brain is in the clouds!
Future Bill Gates is alligator rolling in his nitrogen filled cryo chamber.
MS own products don't work, no hope for others then.
Goodbye band. Hello Surface wrist thingy
lol
that surface wrist thingy is just a strap to your black laptop bag on the way to your cubical. thats the only strap wrist thingy that MS is building.
So Elop was nokia's trojan horse and Nadella is Microsoft's trojan horse what a shame.
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When are they going to fire Nutella, seriously? He is destroying MS just like Fiorina did with HP.
If you call doubling the stock value destroying MS then, yes, he's destroying MS.
I'm ok with the Band going away and Microsoft developing a smartwatch similar to what Nokia was working on before Microsoft canceled the project. The Band never had the look of a finished product. Both versions seemed like nice looking prototypes.
Oh, if you could only see my surprised face.
I can see the sarcasm in that face!
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