Microsoft launched its new fitness-focused wearable that plugs into the new cloud-based Microsoft Health tracking service today.
Dubbed Microsoft Band , the $199 device tracks users’ heart rate, steps taken, sun exposure, stress levels, calories burned and sleep quality. It relays this data to Microsoft Health to offer insights on companion smartphone apps (for Windows Phone , Android and iOS ) on which exercises are most effective, and how well users sleep through the night.
In addition to tracking fitness stats, Microsoft Band also offers guided workouts based on users’ wellness goals, maps running routes via GPS, displays email and calendar event previews and accepts voice commands for Cortana, the assistant service on Windows Phone 8.1 devices. Users can see how they’re doing during their workouts and check their messages on the slim full-color touchscreen, and can expect about 48 hours of battery life on a single charge.
News about Microsoft Band leaked just hours ago via mobile app stores where the Microsoft Health app launched a tad early. The device will go on sale on Thursday at Microsoft’s online and retail stores.
➤ Microsoft Band
Huawei Watch is powered by Android Wear, and it’s stunning
Huawei has announced its first Android Wear smartwatch at Mobile World Congress. The watch features a 42mm round face with a 286 ppi 1.4-inch AMOLED touchscreen, and will be sold in gold, silver and black with various designs for both men and women. It’ll also offer more than 40 customizable watch faces.
Tech features include a heart rate monitor, 4GB of storage, 512MB of RAM, a 6-axis motion sensor and a a Qualcomm 1.2GHz processor. It will pair to any Android phone using Bluetooth L and will be available in over 20 countries across the globe.
As part of a whole line of wearables announced by Huawei today , the new Android Wear watch, the Talkband N1 and Talkband B2 will connect to the Huawei health ecosystem to track and monitor your activity in one place.
The watch is slated to arrive mid-June 2015 – just a few months after the Apple Watch is expected to ship . No word on pricing just yet.
Photo credit: Ben Wood/Twitter
$200 Samsung Gear VR headset is now available for purchase
Samsung was spot on about the “early December” tease when we last heard about its impending launch of the Oculus-powered Gear VR headset . Ladies and gentlemen, virtual reality is now closer to actual reality – you can buy the Gear VR Innovator Edition today for $199 via Samsungom .
Remember: The Gear VR Innovator Edition is specifically designed to be used with a Samsung Note 4, and is only available within the United States at this time.
There are some interesting tidbits in the Gear VR manual though, such as a Note 4 overheating caution when used with the headset, a 15-minute break recommendation for every 30 minutes of use and a warning to not dry your wet device in the microwave. Innovation awaits!
➤ Samsung Gear VR [Samsung]