You can now order the Microsoft Band from the Microsoft Store. The new fitness tracker and notification hub can sync with your Windows Phone, Android or iPhone. It can be yours right now for $199.99.
The Microsoft Band offers guided workouts, 24-hour heart rate tracking, sleep tracking, email alerts, calendar support and Cortana integration.
Are you buying? You get a complimentary $5 gift card to Starbucks and a screen protector when buying online.
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You can now buy the Microsoft Band from the Microsoft Store for $199 (US only)
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Great band !
"Out Of Stock" on online sore.
Can we get news on when it will be available?
I live in Canada and I'm wondering if I purchase it from the US if it would work over here..anyone have an idea?
Dont see why it wouldnt. Microsoft just doesnt want to spend time and money marketing and shipping it outside the USA. If you can get it there, somehow, it will work. Not sure about Cortana though, last time I checked it didnt work in Canada so that might be a dead feature for now. Cheers.
This is surely going to be a mess when people spend $200 on these bands only to find out their phones don't work with the band. Verizon is still the largest carrier in the country and not many will realize there is something missing on their phone that won't allow it to work together until it's too late. I don't see this working out well. At least now Microsoft may put some actual pressure on Verizon instead of just saying it's "underway".
I went in to the Microsoft Store to try out the Band in person, and the employees there said that the Band will work with all phones (including Verizon phones without Cyan update) that are running Developer Preview. They mentioned that they are helping people install developer preview when they come in to the Microsoft Store in person. People in the forums are also confirming that the Band works with the Icon. So I think it should be OK. We'll hear more about this soon, though.
Totally gonna get one... But I need to save up for it first.... Now if I can get that raise I want in salary then I will try and finance it along with either a new ThinkPad yoga or surface.
ImproviSoft.com's blog has details on how to save 5% on your Microsoft Band and get free 2-day shipping too.
Just bought two. Waiting for the shipping notice now.
Cortana is not working properly yet
Just to let everyone know, I called and ordered one this morning. They gave me free overnight shipping and free screen protector.
didn't know they made screen protectors
how do you check your temperature with the band?
This fits right in with Microsoft's strategy of offering poorly named, overpriced consumer products.
Microsoft Band? Could a human being possibly be more boring or less creative in naming a product?
And $199 is a ridiculously high price compared to other fitness products. I'll buy it when the price comes down to Earth.
After reading Adrian Kingsley-Hughes' review, I may have to eat my words. It does a *lot* more than other fitness trackers (GPS tracking, Email notifications, Cortana integration), so the $199 price is starting to look about right.
Yes....
The Sprout from Hewlett Packard is a far worse name for a product!
Don't laugh at me, I just bought a cool Swatch watch for $88, granted I never have to charge it, but I feel silly now spending $200 for another wrist device. Damn it!
HTC 8X (yeah I know its old) with Windows 8.1 Update 1 (developer preview). I ordered the band. Will it work? Since my 8X has Bluetooth 3.1, will that cause an issue with battery life? Etc... Questions to be answered in a few dauys when I get this thing...
Heading to Ms store soon.
I just got off the phone with Microsoft Technical Support and verified that YES the band will work the Lumia Icon with 8.1 DP. She said there will be an update pushed to your phone for the device to have all features available. SWEET!!! I have one on hold for pickup at lunch.
ugh, its neat, but thats more than I spent for my L920...betting wife won't let me get one...
I actually would like to get one, but it doesn't make any sense with having a phone (Nokia Icon) that's not compatible. I just got the Icon 4 months ago, so 14 more months before I can upgrade it. I'm stuck with Verizon for now and I'm not confident that in 14 months I'll have the option of a modern Microsoft Phone. Unfortunately in my town, we've tried AT&T and Sprint but neither has even semi-descent coverage so I'm stuck for now. Other than my early Nokia's, I've never not had a Windows phone but I have a feeling that streak will come to an end next year.
Where is the review?!
Got mine up and running. Had to plug it into a charger to turn it on for the first time and it had a good charge. Emails and text message notifications are coming through and the heart rate sensor and steps are tracking. Will be trying the fitness activity tracking tommorrow at the gym but so far so good.
Are you able to use it without pairing it to a phone?
Just picked on up. Got a free hat with it. They offer a $20 protection plan for it as well
Would like to see them in other colours!
I posted this back in September in the forum:
" I believe Apple got something fundamentally wrong with their watch.
The watch should be an extension to your phone and provide convenience. The Apple watch is packed with stuff nobody needs. Who would want to watch pictures on that tiny screen? Who would want to be nudged by someone via a watch? (I personally think that is creepy). Who would want to draw doodles on the watch (looks really childish to me)?
While they got some things right, I think the amount of features they tried to load on that thing resulted in battery life they didn't even want to mention.
Availability in 2015 leaves a nice window of opportunity though, because Apple did one thing: It took the smart watch from nerd to mainstream. Pretty much everyone I know did not have a last clue about what is out there on smart watches before the announcement and now they all talk about it.
Microsoft could shake up the market if they would have a watch ready centered around Cortana with notification features, fitness tracker and basic navigation and music control. That is all it needs. And if it would work on all major platforms (including older iPhone models) AND be in stores in time for the holiday shopping business, priced at least 100 dollars below the Apple Watch, I bet they would be able to capture a nice big junk of the market before Apple could even get their watch out there.
Now all that would be pretty cool for Microsoft."
I guess I wasn't too far off. Now let's hope it rolls out to more countries soon. The opportunity is huge.
Need it in India.
Unfortunantly the band has 0% charge so can't test it out. However you do get the screen protector and Starbucks card.
Update
Band was charged but needed plugged in to start it up.
You get the goodies in Store? Sweet!
Didn't get the screen protector as they had not received them. Headed back after work to see if they are in but it is free if they have them.
I'm waiting for the MS store to open in 4 minutes. My first question will be: Can I shower with it?
Waiting for 10am at the Microsoft Store in King of Prussia PA.
I want to know when an SDK or some APIs come out for it! Also bring it to Australia!!!
Gonna leave work at 945. The local store is 20 minutes away.
Do we get these freebies in store as well?
Can't swim with it on. That's a bummer.
Will wait for ms smart watch and first Lumia
You are right. I misspoke as I was talking about the update, not cyan... My bad.
I love it
I'm waiting outside the Microsoft store two hours before they open. #fanboylife
Much success to MS for creating this.
No wonder Microsoft is lagging in sales against everything else US only again sigh. : /
Makes sense to release only in your smallest market but then again MSFT don't really care for the WP market with this product..
Since it is platform agnostic it makes sense to release it where the money is first. I hope other countries will roll out soon, but the move to get it out in the US early enough to fully benefit from the holiday shopping season is definitely nit a bad one
How about the rest of the world ?
Just tried downloading the app on my Icon, wasn't even showing in the store. Tried to force the app install from MS Band site - no joy with that either. So upset ill miss out on the excitement. Maybe this will force Verizon to update their Nokia phones... I just can't imagine the MSBand being available in Verizon stores and only Android users and Iphone users enjoying it... So not fare. Just switched to Verizon less than a year ago with 4 phones. Verizon get your crap together and push out 8.1 Nokia!!!
Excellent US Only again... Am I Wrong or I'm seeing that more and more often? I wouldn't be surprised if Microsoft Lumia will be US Only for a while before worldwide release....
I want it in Brazil *-*
Seems buy.
Why Why Why only US :(
US only.. How I wish I'm staying there. Well maybe this is mainly due to Cortana not being out yet in other regions.
Except Cortana is available in beta in the UK and China and as an alpha in India and Australia.
I'm more than happy to wait for two reasons:
1. My ATIV S doesn't have the updated firmware to enable BT4.0 LE yet.
and
2. I would rather have any potential bugs fixed before I buy it.
I hope Microsoft release this on time for Christmas in Brazil :)
What about Europe ???? I can't even downlaod the app on the store
They need to stop thinking about the US all the time and get a WORLDWIDE release instead of a US only release! It just makes other people think in the rest of the world that Microsoft only cares about the US more than the rest of the world! You know what I think, I think they are just selfish.
I think the same my friend...that's why some Microsoft Products don't sell well. But the company is so blind. Don't know why!
Wow. I REALLY want it now! But I am in the UK, so that is a problem for me. But I really want it! Get it on the UK Microsoft Store website ASAP!
can't wait it for Canada.
As for the comments that they don't ship out side the States: As I stated, I have a shipping service I go through. It will likely add $20-40 to the cost, but that will still be less than when it shows up here or the Surge when released here as the weak yen will insure the Japanese pay top dollar for it.
Like any new product. I'll wait for the reviews before buying.
+930 for releasing this worldwide or at least in Australia...
Ordered this afternoon (Tokyo) and ready to ship through my International Shipping provider.
Anxiously waiting! Merry Christmas, Mark!
When will it come to the UK? This beats Garmin, who aren't making any apps for the WP
Disappointing. The price is right, but the design is not. Try harder next time.
The design is what should be expected. Tiles. Cortana. Notifications, messaging, email notices. Timers, GPS, all day heart rate. UV. Weather. I did not note that it could control starting and stopping music asthe Surge will be able to, but again this is $50 cheaper, so not sure what you don't like. Looking at your lower wrist rather than having the world see it on the top?
Getting mine tomorrow. Can't wait, I think the price point is perfect.
Hey, all of you complaining about only US, just stop. Verizon people still are waiting for cyan.
What's that got to do with the price of bread?
Ordered mine
The sizing guide really bugged me... I consider myself as a small body type (even thin) compare to my friends, and I'm Asian... But base on the guide, the only size that I can use is large size. Shouldn't US people bigger and need larger size?
Also, what is the limitation of this band if we use it outside of US?
US only sucks. But hey Cortana is not usable in Europe either, so that makes sense.
I have Cortana in the UK, so MOST of Europe has not got Cortana.
Seriously want but price seems high, Waiting to get new WP phone soon so will there be any discounts for this at purchase.
Rest of the world, when?
Wow would definitely buy it if available in the Netherlands. Good work ms
Me too!!
Yeah, ill have it within a week, damn you rent money!!
What about the UK????
Microsoft sucks with this their "US ONLY" I wanted to buy the surface pro 3 when it was release,but I couldn't because of this US ONLY stuff. And now THIS. Sucks!!
Until their hardware division really gets itself on track and becomes a bigger piece of the market, we're probably going to have to deal with staggered releases.
I do want it!
US only =/
Cortana integration and an agnostic approach to plateforms: it will be interesting to see how Android and iOS users will use it and if they're gonna prefer it to Google's or Siri... This, along with the use of Metro, might constitute one nice way to reconcile people (i.e., Android and iOS users) with our favorite UI.
I'm worried that when I get to the Fashion Mall in Vegas they will be Out of Stock.
I'm hoping those who already purchased it are using the 5% discount promotion Microsoft has going on right now, I put it in just to check and it knocked $10 off the price.
I would actually consider this, except it's US only. Hoping it comes to other places soon...
Question, does it have an in built GPS?
Yes it does.
I measured the height of my wrist using a ruler, pen, and paper. Zoomed the PDF to scale on my laptop, then put the paper in front of the screen.
I wear a G-Shock GA-100 to the 7th notch, that translated to right above medium using my measurements. Figure I need a little wiggle room, hopefully the large is not too large :)
Really liking the cross platform functionality. Microsoft better be releasing a flagship Lumia on T-Mobile haha
Ordered two online!
Will this work if I have a verizon icon w/ developer's preview?
It requires Bluetooth 4.0 (LE) which is not on the Icon with Preview. So no, it will not.
Hopefully this comes to Australia at some point soon... and without the usual "Australia Tax" that is applied to IT stuff.
Yeah, sadly it's only because we're still happy to pay more (and can afford it)
Maybe...
Yes when its in Canada!
typical MS, US only its hard to be microsoft supporter
Let us know if we can buy it through other places for Canada. Thanks,
MS should stop selling everything else to the whole world and should only operate within the US shores.
I hope that was sarcasm because a whole lot of people are gonna be pissed.
Want this in the UK!
Me too!!
I just read something hilarious on a video showing the apple watch (I'd never saw it and wanted to compare with band), a guy is claiming that the iWatch has a tiny-ass screen and so he is waiting for a WABLET!! myahaha!
Hh gawd! Why doesn't he just duct-tape his mobile to his wrist? :P
Had enough of this US only marketing... Bring it to the UK!!!
Microsoft needs to gauage interest in the US first before the do a worldwide rollout.
Because the US care so much about Microsoft.. It worked out well for the Zune, didn't it?
So will every new device MS comes out with be instantly compared to the Zune? Last I checked Surface Pro 3 was doing quite well. Maybe you need to update your outlook on things. It's not 2007.
Hah.... Outlook....2007.....
okay maybe it was just me....
I liked the Zune, still have my old one and works great
Microsoft is a US company.
I thought Microsoft was a global company
Don't forget the 5% bing coupon!
Bought mine!
Ordered! So happy.
Is the band waterproof?
No. Water resistant only.
DONT FORGET TO REDEEM A BING REWARDS FOR 5% OF MICROSOFT STORE ONLINE AND BING REWARDS TO GET FREE TWO DAY SHIPPING
Rats, forgot about the 5% rewards.
Wanted to order online but I don't trust what they call a sizing guide. Will pick it up in the store tomorrow
I'm iffy on it, but I could return it if it doesn't fit.Hope it doesn't come to that though. If my closest store wasn't 45 mins away I would be there tomorrow
The sizing guide is just weird. I don't have large hands but medium seems a tiny bit too tight and the jump to large is quite big.
mine fits perfectly in the medium, I like Fitbits sizing chart better.
I ordered Medium, I was just on the low side of it on the chart. I figure if it doesn't fit perfect, I'll order a new one a give this one to someone else.
Switching to Apple as they release worldwide...
Miss you already byeeeeee! :P
Maybe you should switch countries?
Lol the Apple Watch isn't even releasing anywhere for months. You have no idea is the MS Band will be worldwide by then. See ya!
Just ordered my iphone 6 unlocked... No more app gap for me and I have all MS services... Enjoy your WP's life is too short to wait for MS... My unlocked 920 poorly supported outside US is history...
I'm going to have some serious explaining to do tomorrow morning. First, the new HP Stream 7 and now the Band....
Give whoever you have to explain yourself to a go of the band and they'll soon understand and be fully supportive of your purchase :D
I wish it were going to be that simple. lol
Pfff I just ordered one knowing full well that it wont sync with any of my Verizon phones.
May I ask why you ordered it then? It seems like it would basically be a very light paperweight unless you can sync it?
You may want to cancel that then, you have to sync it at least once it says on the site. Although I imagine there'll be some way to sync via PC.
DAMNIT, WHY DID I JUST BUY A FITBIT LAST MONTH?
Sell it on Craigslist and buy the band!
I'll buy the band...oh wait, US Only? Sorry Microsoft im from Mexico. Can't give you my money, as too many users around the globe!!!!!!! Please understand that!
I'd be REALLY surprised if they didn't expand it.
Slowly expand...thats why I'm worried.
It'll take from 6 month to a year to get to Mexico, like everything Microsoft :( (except Xbox)
Ya se! La neta es algo que me estresa de Microsoft! Por que no puede ser como la competencia? Tiene todos los recursos.
Que?
I said: I know! Truly is something that I hate about Microsoft. Why it can be as its rivals? M$ has all the sources.
people forget the first couple of iPhones released in much the same way... Its a big risk to make a million of something and only sell 20. I agree that they do need to start with the US (because I'm here) and at least one other major non-US market (just because unless MS can put a half eaten fruit on the device in the US it can't possibly be any good)
I'm current training in hopes of competing in the next Olympics in track and field. I've been waiting on Microsoft's entry into the fitness arena. I'm glad it has everything I need without all of the fluff; needless to say I'm pretty hyped on this.
Good luck on that.....Great goal....
Bought it. One day shipping + $19 insurance thingamaziggy. friday can't come soon enough.
If it was only water resistant :/
It is water resistant, but not water proof. After the workout, take it off before you shower.
It's dust and splash resistant so it should at least survive a rain shower. It would have been better if it had a water resistant IP certification but this is a start. This is the first fitness band/smart watch (yes, it has a watch mode) that I have to have for me and my wife.
It meets IP67, IP6X and IPX7: http://www.microsoft.com/band/waterresistance
So now we have the Apple Watch and the Microsoft Band...haha
I really think Microsoft hit a sweet spot between smartwatch with an overload of features and a fitness band that doesn't do enough. Everyone can be satisfied.
Workin' overtime, Sam. Thanks for bringing us all this breaking news!
This US only shit is ridiculous! I mean they have virtually zero market share there and in countries like Italy where they really support the platform.... Nothing! I'm from Aussie n it's really got me thinking what's the point of WP when Android n IOS get better service from Microsoft. Sorry if this sounds so negative but I'm tired of spending thousands n getting treated like a 3rd class citizen
What does WP market share matter when this device is cross platform?
Let me give you some facts that help you rationalize the situation...
1. The US is the #1 consumer nation in the world, using up (unfortunately) far more resources per capita than anyone.
2. Again, the Band works on all three top platforms.
3. US smartphone adoption rates are among the highest, if not highest, in the world.
4. Cortana (in it's fullest available form) is only available in the US.
Then based on what u say my thinking is correct. In other words ur saying I should get Android or iPhone
Duh
That's a very wrong way to go... US vs the rest of the world... Smartphones are basically the only kind of phones sold today, I know that, I work in a local operator retail store, 90% of phones sold are smartphones. So, in light of this, if you count the active users in the rest of the world, I would say that the rest of the world gains. Microsoft as a lot of lack of support outside US, just see Xbox services, for example. In the other hand, apple and google have full support of all their services outside US, even within stores, play store or physical apple retail stores. I live in EU, have 2 WP and I see a lot of people that when they buy android or ios, they would buy ms if ms had the services and support they want.... So that speech will not help ms at all, neither anyone of us, because in the end, in this globalized world, if you don't think global, you will eventually die...
Actually no, the USA doesn't have the highest adoption rates; Australia ranks higher. Microsoft, like Apple, Google, etc are global companies with global audiences--yet Microsoft continues to sideline the rest of the world for the ~4.5% of the global population who happen to live in the USA. What is this, the 10th product/ app/ service announced just THIS WEEK that is U.S.-only? Ugh. http://mashable.com/2013/08/27/global-smartphone-penetration/
That's why I didn't really say anything lol coz sometimes peeps just wanna apologize for a company that's lost the plot!!! To think the US buys more product than the rest of the world is ridiculous! 7½ billion buyers versus 250 million, that's what's at stake!
USA has 320 million, and world only has 7.1 billion. Microsoft is obviously testing the market. One that they can control and are used to advertising in. To expand everything global would cost a ton more and they would defintiely get a lower return rate.
As per usual Microsoft is doing their very best to piss off the most loyal markets.
They simultaneously released the companion app on iPhone and Android, so they are banking on getting sales there.
That's right man...in Italy WP has well over 10% market share. You see young ladys and old grannies with Nokia WP. I wonder if Microsoft lumia brand will have the same appeal. Anyway they could use Italy as a lab for new product and stuff, but we are not considered as first market ..i have owned 920/1020/htc 8s my wife has 520 and now I have 1520, plus of course the full line of surfaces till sp3 which I am currently using as office pc, while at home I have s2 as tablet (plus big boy i7). I am considering xb1 for Xmas.. And like me many friends. That is support, Microsoft. You should reward your supporters not with free product, don't care, but with early product so that we can be evangelist, as we partially are but we can be more. Next is the band! (I have seen the light....the band!!!! The Blues brothers!!!)
The sooner you guys accept that Microsoft is fully embracing cross platform and relying less on WP, the better you guys can understand moves like this.
It doesn't matter that Italy has 40% WP market share, they are not going for WP users. They are going for iOS, Android and WP users. And those are more concentrated in the USA and in a location that they can monitor how it works and also provide solid support.
Once all the kinks are worked out, they will then go global. Until then, relax pal. Go enjoy some Serie A.
lol I'm from Aussie
When does the rest of the world get a go ???Yes microsoft there is a big wide world out there best you start trying to sell to it.
iunno i think ill just spend the extra $50 and get the fitbit surge
Want this, but money is tight!
I feel like $200 is just a little bit overpriced.
If you use the 5% Bing reward then it is only $189... does that help? ;)
Me too
Any idea if I'd be able to control music playing on my windows phone through this? Im thinking about while at the gym, I hate always taking my phone out to change music..
+929
I would like to know this as well. I'm sort of interested now, music control would be a huge boost
I think you can use Fortuna to play your music, so maybe.
Haven't seen that yet, except that you could potentially do it via Cortana
Right now it states you can control music via Cortana. Maybe a firmware update or new app, etc. will add htis functionality to the touchscreen in the future.
To control your music, simply talk to your phone via Cortana... I use this a lot while cycling with a BT headset and my phone in the bag...
You can tell Cortana to:
- play music
- shuffle music
- next track
- play "U2" (play all tracks from an artist)
- play "bloody sunday" (play a specific song)
and maybe more but so far I only use the command listed above.
all this is more than enough for me to control my music and it works great...
I can't wait to get this band if it ever get released in the UK (I am sure many outside the US are looking forward to get the band)... that would be a perfect Xmas gift, if only MS could release it abroad soon...
Hopefully they will release it outside the UK
Done deal. Hope two day shipping means here by Friday!
No, sorry. You'd need one day shipping for that, because it won't ship until tomorrow when it's this late.
^Not even that...
"Pre-order online and we'll ship it as soon as we can. Or, if you can't wait to get your hands on a Microsoft Band, you can find a Microsoft Store nearby. Free shipping. Free returns."
Ordered, comes with free zagg screen protector, $5 starbucks card plus free 2 day shipping for rewards members :) Excited
Announed after Apple Watch, released before Apple Watch. I love that!
Actually yeah.... That is pretty cool, well done MS!! :D
First time ever they actually beat Apple to market. This thing will be on sale for 2-3 months before the Apple Watch goes on sale.
Though Apple will probably release it worldwide... But MS still has a few months to do that.
That depends on how successful the US launch is. If it sells millions, it will get a worldwide launch. If only a few 100K then no.
It would be stupid of them NOT to release it worldwide. Hmmm, remind me why the Zune failed again!!!!!
Cos it was ugly?
Don't forget leaked on Apple site LOL
Actually, It wasn't even announced!!! They're to cool for that hype stuff
We, the rest of the world will wait for third Gen products from Microsoft. (surface pro 3) :)
Xbox.
Mine ordered with: Microsoft Complete, Bing Rewards, free Starbucks $5 gift card and free 2-day shipping!
I've already downloaded the Health app for Android on my Nexus 5.
This is gonna rock.
Already have the TomTom runner but they said they aren't releasing a windows phone app... So im probably going to pick up the fitbit surge... Its battery lasts alot more than two days...
The question still remains though- how well will Fitbit continue to support Windows Phone moving forward? Will it get frequent updates, or will it lag behind iOS apps by a year or more like many other apps?
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