What's the single most frustrating thing about the Microsoft Band for you?

[astondg]

Doesn't it bother anyone that the display is rotated by 90?? That was the first thing I thought when I saw the band - how the heck am I supposed to be using this?

I wear mine inside my left wrist, looking at it is just a matter of rolling my left wrist outward. It works really well while I'm running.

 

[mj0]

That actually makes perfect sense. Another mystery solved, thanks.

 

[poit57]

I know this doesn't apply to everyone but any HR issues that I have had have been related to not having the band tight enough on my wrist.

I had a faulty HR monitor on my original Band. It would take a long time to lock in, and when it did, about half the time, it would do so at over 100 when my HR was 60. The average reading was probably around 85 with a resting HR during sleep at 73. Attempts to tighten the fit would result in the reading going up.

I did a warranty replacement and the new Band is much more accurate. My average HR reading is now around 58 with a resting HR during sleep around 46. I don't know what percentage of units have faulty HR monitors, but that could be the explanation for many people experiencing the same issue with higher than expected readings.

 

[gadgetrants]

I have the feeling MS intended the Band to be worn on the inside (perhaps someday we'll see the option to rotate the display?). It feels like they did a good job communicating the idea to their sales staff (e.g., my guy told me, "it's harder for people to see the display if you wear it that way"), and in some promotional photos you can see the model wearing it "as intended". However, in other photos it's clearly worn on the outside like a traditional watch. I think, given how people would naturally put it on, that MS should have created some kind of slogan to reduce confusion.



-Matt

 

[wrm1]

I just realize today that you can do a guided running workout or a run with the GPS, but, you can't do both. It's a bit ridiculous. A guided run doesn't count toward distance run because it has it's own category.

 

[WharncliffeOwl]

The 'High' level of the haptic alert is not strong enough and during an incoming call the band should vibrate while ever the phone is ringing. Currently it just vibrates for like a couple of seconds.

 

[ajb1965]

I don't really find anything frustrating about the band. Wearable tech is still in its infancy so I'm good with some sensors not being exactly spot on etc, The one thing I would like to see, and maybe I'm just doing something wrong has to do with the smart watch aspect, which is actually the part of the device I care the least about. I pair with a Windows 8.1 phone and when phone calls or alarm notifications come through and I dismiss, it would be really handy if they actually dismissed the event on the phone itself. I dismiss a phone call on my band and the band stops vibrating, but my phone continues on.

 

[zei20t]

I pair with a Windows 8.1 phone and when phone calls or alarm notifications come through and I dismiss, it would be really handy if they actually dismissed the event on the phone itself. I dismiss a phone call on my band and the band stops vibrating, but my phone continues on.

^^^^^ this. 100% agree.

same with emails, and perhaps being able to flag the email, and possibly delete it via the band also.

 

[vEEP pEEP]

They don't sell them in Canada....

 

[Warren Dean]

FWIW, if there is one thing that really seems to distinguish Microsoft product users from Apple, Google, etc., it is the proclivity to complain straight out of the gate. With almost any other major product line you will get the typical bug threads but you will find numerous that simply emphasize what people like about their devices. It never ceases to amaze me though just how many threads are specifically devoted to what people do not like here. Even the phrasing emphasizes the negative. What is the point of "single most frustrating" other than to imply problems? This could be just as easily phased as "what would people like to see" and it would let things be discussed but place the discussion in a positive and productive light. I know forums draw the negative - it is the nature of the platform. In my experience though the Windows forums draw disproportionate angst and negativity. BTW, I personally don't care whether people love or hate the various Microsoft platforms and products. It would just be nice to see things around here not be so perpetually negative and pessimistic....

Nailed it......

 

[EMitchell]

Doesn't it bother anyone that the display is rotated by 90?? That was the first thing I thought when I saw the band - how the heck am I supposed to be using this?

I started wearing mine on the inside of my wrist, but it never felt 'right'. I switched to the outside of my wrist and have kept it there ever since. As for the display being at an angle, I got used to it pretty quickly, it's like having a piece of paper on my desk that is on an angle, I can still read it.

FWIW, I'm on the MSFT campus on a regular basis, and see employees wearing the band on the inside of the wrist, not many are wearing it on the outside.

One thing that pushed me to wear it on the outside was the Starbucks app, and using it at the drive-through. It was too awkward to hold the inside of my wrist to be scanned.

 

[DrFix82]

I found many thing very frustrating:
- usb drivers not found by my windows 7 and no user helping me extracting from his/her pc
- missing vibrating notifications on running (i.e. vibrate every minute, which would help me in my training). Biking you can set notification every x km only, no time
- UV sensor as a separate app.. why not grouped with othter sensors after tap on "me" screen? Calories, Heart rate, Footsteps... why not uvs?
- No skin temperature anywhare... chip is onboard and on every spec, but not in app
- Loose integration with running apps (i.e. runkeeper)... why not sending direct data to apps?
- mm I forgot the others but there are more

 

[truthsforme]

Do either of you use screen protectors? The coating they put on them to make them capacitive is usually the issue. I took off my screen protector and have never had an issue.

Never had a screen protector on it.

 

[GenevaBrown]

For me, the most frustrating thing is the extremely limited developer's API.
You can hardly do anything interesting with it.
This explains why the apps currently available are not terribly exciting. I hope it gets expanded soon

 

[erichyde43]

Well i have my new biggest issue.

I'm happy to say that I received some excellent service at a Microsoft Store in Omaha today (thanks Jane!).

But the durability of this Band is questionable. Yes...i may be a little hard on it...and it goes on and off my wrist a lot for charging for 20-30 minutes and going again. Anyways...my heart rate monitor stopped working sunday morning. There was a large gap in the seam that connects the heart rate (near the clasp). Apparently the heart rate sensor just got disconnected. I got mine back in november...so it lasted a good 6 months. But...200 dollars for a 6 month device is pretty disappointing. Luckily i got the Microsoft Complete on it and this replacement was free, but since microsoft discontinued that, it worries me.

Hopefully Band2 will come before this one deteriorates again. I'll be much more careful (per janes excellent instruction on putting on and removing the band).

 

[maphisto_2000]

Band arrived last Wednesday and I really like it. Just wish it wouldn't track steps whilst I'm in the car! Maybe they could implement a driving mode just to disable the step counter?

 

[hotphil]

Take it off?

 

[Shaz2012]

Mine keeps turning off. its useless, going to take it to the store and have it serviced.

 

[kenjancef]

Take it off?

Same thing happens to me in the car.

Why should I have to take it off in the car?

 

[andraeseus]

Thanks for this thread. I had my reservations about this watch and now it is confirm. I will need to wait for the next iteration. knowing Microsoft this will not be fixed in a patch. These issues will be addressed in the Microsoft Band Pro 2 or what ever.