Welcome to the Future: Wearables Part 1
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This watch must be smart. It knows how to tell time with Roman Numerals
Let me tell you about my watch.
In January of 2015 I purchased a Microsoft Band. I had been going to the local Microsoft store every Sunday afternoon to inquire if they had any Bands in stock. One day I got lucky, someone had returned a gift and there was a medium Band ready for my wrist.
Why would I want a Microsoft Band you ask (or you ask what is a Microsoft Band)? Well I am one of the few people on this planet with a Windows phone. I was with Blackberry for many years and I felt that Microsoft would fill my business needs when Blackberry became obsolete. I may have been wrong, but I do love Microsoft's mobile platform. The Band was a great device, with Cortana integration for Windows phone. That is the only additional benefit with a Band and a Windows Phone. All other features are available to any one with an Andriod or IPhone. Even if I did not have the Windows Phone, there was an excellent chance I would have purchased the Band just on the features alone.
I had been eyeing a Pebble smartwatch for some time but could never take the plunge (I know there is no Pebble app for the Windows Phone, but there are always ways around that problem). The price did not reflect everything I was looking for in a wrist wearable. I wanted my texts, e-mails, notifications, and some fitness tracking. I also felt that the Pebble looked kind of cheap. Do not get me wrong, it is a grand piece of technology, the aesthetics were just off. I was not looking for a computer on my wrist, I was never going to take phone calls from my wrist, and I was not about to use a watch as a camera. My choice of phone and time were conspiring against my simple wishes.
In late October of 2014 Microsoft unveiled the Band, with little fanfare. It was exciting for me, because I knew this wearable would be compatible with my very personal choice of phone os. The Band had all the features I wanted. E-mail / text / notifications sent to my wrist, steps counted, sleep tracking, calories burned, alarms, calendar, and the ability to display the time of day. There were a few features I could have cared less for, like GPS (I have a phone with that function and the Band needs the phone close by), and a fairly useless keyboard for text responses. The Band was also $199.00, better than most smartwatches with similar features. There was a few things I would have liked to see. The Band being waterproof and native music controls would have been nice. During my time with the Band I have relied more on apps like the Starbucks card and Pimp My Band (best third party app out there), and I have found myself caring less for things like sleep tracking. The positives way outweighed the negative, I was sold.
The features of the Microsoft Band (except for maybe GPS) should be with every smartwatch. I think these are the only features smartwatches need. The other area the Band excels is the size and placement of the screen. The current crop of smartwatches use a large square (or circular) screen. This makes most of the watches only able to be worn on a large (usually a mans) wrist. The Band made the screen a rectangle, and the placement is recommended to be on the bottom of your wrist. This is the way all smartwatches should work. I use the device to see my notifications. When I am cycling, or driving my car, the natural reaction I have to read my Band is to quickly look at the bottom of my wrist. It is simple, and makes the messages much easier to read. Super fancy pen and watch company Mont Blanc knows this is best way to make a smartwatch. This is where Microsoft got something right, all smartwatches should copy this design aesthetic.
The Microsoft Band is a forward thinking device. The push of basic information from your phone is what will make the smartwatch market take off. The Apple Watch seemed to miss the boat on so many things people want, plus it was laughable overpriced. The Android wear devices seem to be caught in a keeping up with a moronic Apple cycle. The Band may not look great (I refer to it as my prison bracelet), but it's functionality more than makes up for the weird looks. Microsoft deserves to be a market leader for understanding what people want in the world of wearables, and making the price reasonable.
Just please make the next one waterproof. I am going to forget it is on my wrist sooner or later. Thank goodness I have the warranty.
RD Kulik
RD is the Head Editor for SeedSing. He knows his technology choices are part of the minority. Give the other side by writing for SeedSing.