Like many companies, Microsoft jumped on the fitness tracker bandwagon with its Microsoft Band and sequel, Band 2: Electric Boogaloo. (Or was it Band 2: The Legend of Curly’s Gold?) But with no sign of a third band in sight, this could be the last generation of Microsoft fitness trackers — at least for now.
“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,” said Microsoft in a statement to ZDNet. “We also continue to sell Microsoft Band 2 and remain deeply committed to supporting our customers and exploring the wearables space.”
Although that statement doesn’t officially confirm or deny anything concerning the future of the Band brand, it does suggest that there isn’t anything new in the pipeline. We’re also told that there are no plans for a Microsoft Band device in 2016 and there are reports doing the rounds that Microsoft disbanded a team looking to port the older fitness trackers to Windows 10.
Previously, Microsoft’s practice was to release its Band offering in October, so were Microsoft to debut something new, it would likely do so soon. But we haven’t heard even a sniff of a new fitness tracker.
The Band 2 has not been a monumental success. It has struggled with quality control, specifically with some of the skins of its devices, and with increased competition over the past couple of years from a plethora of comparable and price-competitive products hasn’t helped.
One aspect of the Bands which Microsoft does seem keen to retain though is the Microsoft Health service. It has helped gather a lot of data on users around the world and as Microsoft continues to expand its software and services products under Satya Nadella, that seems likely to continue on.
Do any of you guys own a fitness tracker? If so, are you still using it?
