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.
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