Microsoft launches wearable technology in Australia targeting Fitbit, Apple and Samsung

THE world’s biggest software company will launch wearable technology in Australian stores tomorrow, and it has the big names in fitness tracking and smartwatches in its sights.

Microsoft’s sensor-packed Band 2 is designed to take on the likes of Fitbit, Apple and Samsung with a mixture of fitness-tracking features and smartphone notifications, and the company says its convergence makes it “stickier” than the “generic” competition.
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The software giant revealed its plans in Sydney today, and will roll out its wearable technology in electronics and sports stores tomorrow, including JB Hi-Fi and Rebel Sport, for $380.

Microsoft Band product manager Adam Pollington said the device would unashamedly target the big names in wearable technology with a combination of fitness and smartwatch features.
“If you look at the market today, there are two pretty clear segments — you’ve got the activity tracker market and you have the smartwatch side with productivity and connectivity,” he said.
“The Microsoft Band sits in a new sub-segment of smart bands.”
Microsoft’s first Australian wearable technology release is the sequel to a model released in the States in late 2014, and features 11 sensors including GPS to track cycling, a heart-rate sensor to track exertion, a galvanic skin response sensor to measure stress, barometer for elevation, and a UV sensor to tell you whether you need sunscreen — something Mr Pollington said would prove particularly useful in Australia.
The Microsoft Band 2 also connects to Apple iPhone, Google Android and Windows Phones to deliver notifications to its rectangular touchscreen, from incoming phone calls to tweets and SMS messages.

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