Engadget - There are generally two schools of thought on how to build a wrist-borne wearable. Either make a fancy pedometer that's supposed to stay out of the way, or go the smartwatch route and cram in as many features as possible. Then there's this weird no-man's-land occupied by devices like the Samsung Gear Fit and Garmin Vivosmart. Microsoft's $200 Band falls squarely in that latter category. It's not quite a smartwatch, but it's not purely a fitness tracker like the Fitbit Flex. The Band can pull in emails, text messages and other notifications from your phone. If you're using a Windows Phone, it can control Cortana and put the power of Microsoft's virtual assistant on your wrist.
Microsoft today pushed out a new update to the Microsoft Band via the Microsoft Health app, taking it to version 2.0.4737.0.
Just a few months after the new Microsoft Band came out, the company is adding functionality with a small software update. The two biggest features of this update—music controls and inactivity alerts—contribute to the band's identity as part smartwatch and part fitness tracker.
"There has been 3 different devices by three different companies that are contending for this number one fitness tracker position, they are: Microsoft Band for the price of $199, Fitbit Surge price $250 and the Basis Peak priced at $199. All 3 of them promise to do heart rate tracking, not just while you work out, but 24/7 while you sleep, while you are doing normal everyday activities."
