A wearable with limited features
Health metrics widely been taken into account for a few years now. A lot of tech companies are trying to make something innovating, daily and ergonomic to monitor your health in real-time. Microsoft is one of them. Not focusing only on the health part but also the daily needs part, Microsoft decided to make a wearable like many other competitors to help people out. We are talking about the Microsoft Band that was first introduced last year as the company’s first wearable device or smartwatch for some others. After one year they are ready to release the second generation of the product. The US pre order started from in 30th of October 2015. But what we find out and what testers tell about it?
1. Expensive
According to reports, Microsoft decided to set Band 2’s price up to $249 due to the new curved screen and new sensor added. This extremely disappoints the crowd as the previous and first ever Microsoft Band was just $199. The price of $249 seems affordable compared to other famous smartwatches like Apple Watch and Samsung Gear 2, but it’s actually replaceable from a few common TomTom or Garmin devices when someone realizes what features are being offered.
2. Clasp is easy to scratch
Clasp was designed for a lot of purposes. It includes a UV sensor and a far more elegant charger, hiding away the embedded electronics better than the previous model. So much redesign made Microsoft forget the quality and strength of the material. Clasp can be easily scratched with nearly anything in different ways. It’s really unsatisfying as the clasp is one of the main “sexy and attractive” parts on Microsoft Band 2’s design.
3. Fewer features for Android and iOS
Yes it’s true. There are features working on Windows Phone devices and not working on Android or iOS. This is a thing; you buy a product for its features but since you have a Samsung Galaxy S6 for example, you can’t have them all. The main and most famous complaint from the iPhone owners is that they can’t use Cortana with Microsoft Band. Siri will be sad about it, don’t tell her..
4. Data Syncing Issues
There are users complaining about having problem with syncing their data with their mobile app. This is actually the main feature that a wearable like this MUST offer perfectly in any view. Seems that Microsoft didn’t get that, as they confirmed that all those problems are known. That’s actually funny.
5. Not waterproof
All wearable, at least nowadays, should be waterproof. They are devices of daily life use that can provide you useful data or help during your day, but it’s not only that. Companies, not only Microsoft, should reconsider the strength, durability and stamina through time factors as those devices can be exposed daily in extremely cases like e.g. the water contact. Microsoft didn’t make Microsoft Band 2 waterproof at all.