Yeah, I was thinking the same, but is a 6 week wait the default estimate the that happens?
Brian
The layout is not usable - my Gear Fit only became usable when they supported vertical orientation. In horizontal, trying to read the screen 95% of the time took contortion. The only time it was ever comfortable was when at a table and your hands were in front of you.
The downside to vertical orientation is how quickly text stacks up but for quick notifications, it's fine.
The downside to vertical orientation is how quickly text stacks up but for quick notifications, it's fine.
This looks smarter than the Apple Watch. If I were in a market for one of these devices, I'd get it...
Kinda similar to the Garmin wrist devices also, no?
Kinda similar to the Garmin wrist devices also, no?
dullard
Elite Member
- May 21, 2001
- 25,472
- 3,974
- 126
When will someone make one with Wi-Fi or Bluetooth for employees at companies with a no phone policy (or who's phones have no reception in a big building, or who can't carry a phone for various reasons)?
Kaido
Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
- Feb 14, 2004
- 48,652
- 5,418
- 136
Hmm, that's a really good point, hadn't thought about that. I just held my wrist in front of my eyes & the MS Band would be a vertical rectangle, which would definitely make horizontal text hard to read..,
Deeko
Lifer
- Jun 16, 2000
- 30,213
- 11
- 81
I couldn't help myself and I ordered one yesterday. I guess if I like it, my Fuel Band will be headed to eBay or something. I ordered at 9:25 am, well before the cutoff for same day shipping, I got my shipping notification late last night, and the tracking indicates that the label was printed, with ground shipping, but hasn't actually shipped yet...considering I paid for overnight prior to the cutoff, it should be getting to me today, not leaving the warehouse today. Hmm....
I stopped by the mall on my way to work yesterday and picked up 3 Bands for myself and family.
So far I'd say 9/10. Only ding so far s the heart rate monitor. Can't find anywhere that it tracks and trends.
Software is basic so far, not integrated with MS Health and Fitness or MS Health Vault. Crazy this hasn't happened.
The horizontal vs vertical argument disappears after a couple hours. You get used to it.
My 67 year old mother is now sporting one of these and loves it.
So far I'd say 9/10. Only ding so far s the heart rate monitor. Can't find anywhere that it tracks and trends.
Software is basic so far, not integrated with MS Health and Fitness or MS Health Vault. Crazy this hasn't happened.
The horizontal vs vertical argument disappears after a couple hours. You get used to it.
My 67 year old mother is now sporting one of these and loves it.
pete6032
Diamond Member
- Dec 3, 2010
- 7,644
- 3,200
- 136
Exactly. I would jump on this if I knew there would be guaranteed support and app development for at least 5 years. Can't see that happening, though, regardless of how good it looks. For some reason it is not hip to own a MS product.
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That's also how some Gear Fit screens became scratched messes. Inside wrist works but then has the downside of being placed on every hard surface - your desk, keyboard, etc.
I love the form factor, don't get me wrong, but there are compromises into having a thin rectangular watch with horizontal orientation.
I wouldn't worry about the app development now. It's open for anyone to develop.
If yesterday was any indication of the success of theses things it'll be a huge hit. I'd never seen many people in a MS store until yesterday. Even the workers were overwhelmed, good sign for Microsoft.
If yesterday was any indication of the success of theses things it'll be a huge hit. I'd never seen many people in a MS store until yesterday. Even the workers were overwhelmed, good sign for Microsoft.
Just checked online again and now instead of telling me mid December is says "Notify me when back in stock."
Brian
Got mine today. Free 2 day shipping with Bing Rewards actually turned out to be next-day shipping...lucky me.
First complaint - when I turn on GPS Run Tracking, it should automatically turn off the GPS when I tell it my run is over. It doesn't...you need to go back in and turn GPS off. Not a huge problem, but it's just another drain on an already short battery-life if you leave GPS on all the time. (Unless the GPS radio is only on when you're running...hmm...kind of ambiguous)
Edit:
As I add more complaints, don't get the wrong impression...so far, I really like this device. I'm just being kind of picky here, and also wondering what the designers/devs were thinking when they coded some of this stuff (or failed to code some of it, as it may be).
Second Complaint - There should be an option (or it should just do this automatically) to have Watch Mode turned on automatically when the device is charging. The only time you can get a % readout of the battery level is when it is charging and Watch Mode is on. I shouldn't need to turn Watch Mode on/off manually to see that info. Without watch mode, you are left with the battery/plugged-in icon while it is charging, and can't tell the battery level. Really, it should probably just have a way to show you % battery without the need for both 1) being plugged in and 2) Watch Mode on...
First complaint - when I turn on GPS Run Tracking, it should automatically turn off the GPS when I tell it my run is over. It doesn't...you need to go back in and turn GPS off. Not a huge problem, but it's just another drain on an already short battery-life if you leave GPS on all the time. (Unless the GPS radio is only on when you're running...hmm...kind of ambiguous)
Edit:
As I add more complaints, don't get the wrong impression...so far, I really like this device. I'm just being kind of picky here, and also wondering what the designers/devs were thinking when they coded some of this stuff (or failed to code some of it, as it may be).
Second Complaint - There should be an option (or it should just do this automatically) to have Watch Mode turned on automatically when the device is charging. The only time you can get a % readout of the battery level is when it is charging and Watch Mode is on. I shouldn't need to turn Watch Mode on/off manually to see that info. Without watch mode, you are left with the battery/plugged-in icon while it is charging, and can't tell the battery level. Really, it should probably just have a way to show you % battery without the need for both 1) being plugged in and 2) Watch Mode on...
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tdawg
Platinum Member
- May 18, 2001
- 2,215
- 6
- 81
tdawg
Platinum Member
- May 18, 2001
- 2,215
- 6
- 81
The list isn't bad at all, but these sorts of warning lists always reminds me of Happy Fun Ball.
Picked one up on Thursday afternoon and I've been wearing it since (charged it each day while I showered and no battery issues so far). Love the device so far.
Whoever was asking about reports from the continuous heart rate monitor, they're integrated into the other modules. So you can track your heart rate along with steps taken, along with calories burned, etc. Just tap on the chart and it switches over to the heart rate chart. It doesn't appear that there is a straight-up heart-rate module at this point though.
Alerts work well. Wasn't sure I would find it useful, but when you get a text or email, you can just glance at the Band and see if you need to get out your phone to respond, etc. Saves more time than you would think because you're not pulling out your phone to look at non-urgent emails all the time.
Only gripe is that it seems like the screen may get scratched up somewhat easily if you wear it on the inside of your wrist. Mine is already showing some slight wear. Overall, though, I don't think this is a deal-breaker - this is a device meant to be worn 24/7 including during strenuous physical activity. It's going to take a beating if you're using it right. Plus, it's not designed to be a fashion piece (like Apple's offering) but more of a tool.
Last point... I'm impressed they kept this under wraps and then were able to release it with such an impressive feature list with immediate availability. It's pretty rare that a company can pull that off these days. I'm a sucker for MS products and have been pretty happy with their latest releases. Hopefully they can get some more traction in the marketplace with this.
Whoever was asking about reports from the continuous heart rate monitor, they're integrated into the other modules. So you can track your heart rate along with steps taken, along with calories burned, etc. Just tap on the chart and it switches over to the heart rate chart. It doesn't appear that there is a straight-up heart-rate module at this point though.
Alerts work well. Wasn't sure I would find it useful, but when you get a text or email, you can just glance at the Band and see if you need to get out your phone to respond, etc. Saves more time than you would think because you're not pulling out your phone to look at non-urgent emails all the time.
Only gripe is that it seems like the screen may get scratched up somewhat easily if you wear it on the inside of your wrist. Mine is already showing some slight wear. Overall, though, I don't think this is a deal-breaker - this is a device meant to be worn 24/7 including during strenuous physical activity. It's going to take a beating if you're using it right. Plus, it's not designed to be a fashion piece (like Apple's offering) but more of a tool.
Last point... I'm impressed they kept this under wraps and then were able to release it with such an impressive feature list with immediate availability. It's pretty rare that a company can pull that off these days. I'm a sucker for MS products and have been pretty happy with their latest releases. Hopefully they can get some more traction in the marketplace with this.
Given the sensors in many of these bands and the ability those sensors have at determining the orientation and movement of the hand with the band on it, I have to wonder what all they can tell about what you're doing. I mean, if they can tell if your punching can't they also tell if you're whacking off? Might make for a potential new player called the FapBit.
Brian
Brian
Kaido
Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
- Feb 14, 2004
- 48,652
- 5,418
- 136
Nice, thanks for the review! I too was impressed that they were able to keep it under wraps, I didn't even see a hint of a leak beforehand! I just got a Jawbone, but the MS Band is closer to what I really want from a fitness tracker, so let us know how it works out long-term!
Kaido
Elite Member & Kitchen Overlord
- Feb 14, 2004
- 48,652
- 5,418
- 136
Actually yeah that angle does work...nice. Never thought there'd be a device that would work "under-handed"!
Well, it looks like I spoke too soon on the polish of the software. Seems that the end of daylight savings time may have broken Band syncing with the Health app. Anyone else seeing all zeros for today and experiencing lost data for the past couple of days after the time change?
I am not experiencing that. My Band is paired with an Android (MotoX)...maybe you're on a different platform, and there's a bug with that app?
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