Manufacturer Microsoft | Connectivity Bluetooth 4.0 | |
 | ||
Type Smart band (with smartwatch features) Release date October 30, 2015 (2015-10-30) Introductory price $250 (USA)
$330 (Canada)
£200 (UK)
$379 (Australia) Display Capacitive AMOLED display
1.26 x 0.50 in (32 x 12.8 mm)
320 x 128 pixels | ||
Microsoft Band 2 is the second-generation smart band with smartwatch features developed by Microsoft. Announced on October 6, 2015, it succeeded the original Microsoft Band and was initially available in the United States, United Kingdom and Canada. It is now also available in Australia through the Sydney flagship store, Microsoft online store, and selected retailers such as JB Hi-Fi and Harvey Norman. Like its predecessor, it incorporates fitness tracking and is compatible with Windows, iOS and Android smartphones via a Bluetooth connection. On October 3, 2016, it was discontinued.
Contents
Technology
The Microsoft Band 2 includes multiple sensors:
Although the Microsoft Band 2 is primarily designed for use with activities related to fitness, it also provides extensive smartwatch-like features such as sleep tracking, communication tools, as well as many standard features you would expect on a digital wrist watch.
Sleep tracking
The Band 2 uses its sensors to track sleep patterns when it is worn to bed. It can advise whether the user woke during the night, and provide information about sleep quality and duration.
Communication tools
When paired with a smartphone, the Band 2 can exchange information with the smartphone. This allows the Band 2 to show:
Watch
The Microsoft Band 2 can be used as a replacement for a normal digital wrist watch. It includes the following standard time features:
Mobile Operating Systems
Certain functions of the Microsoft Band 2, such as the ability to reply to text messages using Cortana, are only available when paired with phones running a Microsoft mobile OS. Android users can reply with a set of predefined messages while iOS users cannot reply at all.
Additionally, certain sync issues—most notably inaccuracies in the weather tile. Some have made efforts to rectify the situation using Microsoft’s Web Tiles.
There are issues when using the Band with Windows 10 Mobile.
Durability
There have been several reports that the plastic elastomer band material can fail after prolonged use. Users describe cracks developing in the band, which required device replacement by Microsoft. Microsoft have since made the strap slightly thicker, reducing the risk of the band cracking.