It’s been almost a year since the tech giant’s first wrist-wearable product, and now Microsoft’s curved Band 2 is set for an unveiling in October during the hardware event, where they’re expected to introduce the public to the new Surface Pro 4 and their next-gen smartphone, Lumia 950.
- Microsoft Band was launched in October 2014
- The next Microsoft Band will be called ‘Envoy’
- It will have metallic finishes and a new battery placement
- It’s expected to either equal or surpass the $199 price of Microsoft Band
According to a Spanish Microsoft Insider blog, the second generation band will be called “Envoy”, and will feature much needed improvements over its predecessor. And it’s certainly needed if they plan on competing with other titans on the market such as FitBit or Apple Watch.
The website also leaked a picture of the futuristic gadget, along with some small tidbits about its possible enhancements. The most striking and obvious change is certainly in its curved design, for better comfort and more conventional ways of wearing it.
Gone are the days of the flat screened Microsoft Band that forced users to have the display against the inside of their wrist. It was perhaps a bit more practical in certain situations, but it was a far cry from the common accessories we have grown accustomed to. Something more similar to a watch seems to cater better to the public’s taste.
The new Microsoft Envoy wrist smart device has also been claimed to have metallic finishes this time around, along with the side buttons for functionality. The battery has also moved position from its previous design, now set beneath the display screen as opposed to on the sides of the gadget. And, hopefully, its life will also be improved upon.
The first attempt of the Microsoft Band has been met with mixed reviews, because while it was very easy to use, it also featured a very poor battery life that made it a brief source of entertainment and information rather than a dependable device. It did what it promised for the set price of $200, but that wasn’t quite enough with its quickly depleting energy.
Envoy’s predecessor had multiple measuring functions, ranging from heart rate, sleep stats, stress levels and skin temperature, all of which are expected to see a return in the new reincarnation, along with a few others. It’s hoped that it will be compatible with all devices, including the obvious Windows Phone and Android, but not leave out iOS either.
The new curved and sleek-looking gadget will likely be officially introduced on October 6th, with Microsoft expected to go into further details about its advanced features, that will not only be more comfortable to wear and high performing, but it will hopefully last longer as well.
Image source: pcworld.com
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.