should we be worried about the future of the Microsoft band?

[DroidUser42]

As for slowness to announce: If I was trying clear out inventory of Band 2's, I wouldn't announce anything either, whether because a Band 3 was coming out, but especially if they were discontinuing.

It's possible they're keeping quiet because they don't want any competitors to learn of what they're doing before launch. Perhaps key aspect is something that less about hardware and more about software. If news leaks, MS may come in second.

OTOH, the MS of old used to talk about what they're going to deliver to limit sales by competitors. People would wait to see what MS's offering was going to be like before committing.

 

[cmucodemonkey]

Although there have been problems with the Band 2's build quality, I think the device itself was very well received, as was the online service.

This is my experience with the Band 2 as well. Outside of the poor quality rubber cracking I had no issues with the Band or its software. But based on the fact that Microsoft has since renamed "Microsoft Health" to "Microsoft Band" and rumor is the Band line has been put on hold (if not cancelled), I'd be surprised to see another wearable.

 

[lstar337]

This is my experience with the Band 2 as well. Outside of the poor quality rubber cracking I had no issues with the Band or its software. But based on the fact that Microsoft has since renamed "Microsoft Health" to "Microsoft Band" and rumor is the Band line has been put on hold (if not cancelled), I'd be surprised to see another wearable.

Well that's sad if true. Most of my friends have fitbits or other brands, and the band 2 pee's over all of them. A far superior product, even with manufacturing flaws.

 

[206Husky]

With the Band line, Microsoft is onto something good. I use it a lot to track bike rides, and also like getting the notifications on my wrist. Added functionality like music controls are also great. I hope Microsoft learns from the mistakes of the past and works on improving the Band for the next version instead of ending it altogether.

 

[Nate Silver]

The fitness wearable market is getting tough. Garmin, Fitbit, and now Apple have got things pretty well sewed up, and there just doesn't seem to be any desire from MS leadership to really try to make a go of it in the hardware sector (other than the surface and Xbox lines). They've already made it clear that if Windows Mobile is going to make it, its going to be with 3rd party manufacturers, and I suspect they feel the same way about fitness trackers. I'd love to be wrong, because Band 2 has been a really good device for me, but I just don't see the eagerness to succeed there.