The Microsoft Band 2 is different from the other devices in its class, since it happens to be a fitness monitor with the features of a smartwatch, whereas, all other products are smartwatches that can also monitor your health!
When it comes to smartwatches, the kind of features that you want to put in it, can be confusing. If the overall layout is haphazard, the output will be confusing. For example, a smartwatch that can monitor your heart-rate but cannot point out the exact amount of calories you have lost or your workout duration, won’t be much of a help.
But, Microsoft has managed to piece everything together when it comes to fitness. They have made some major improvements to the Band 2 in this regard, but what surprises us the most about the device, is the seamless blend with the additional features that make it a smartwatch.
However, there is no reason for you to get all excited about the smartwatch features of the Microsoft Band 2, since, the features are pretty preliminary. You get the basic stopwatch, Timer and Reminder features along with the clock.
The device can monitor any physical activity that you want it to record, by calculating your heart rate and active moments. The users can either go through the Exercise Tile or the Guided Exercise Tile to create a new workout monitor.
However, with the latest updated on the Band 2, the users can now create a new list online, and customize their own unique workout plans. The advantage of a Guided workout program is that the system stays with you from start till the end, monitoring your vitals and calculating the amount of calories lost.
The users can also look for pre-specified workout regimes. If you’ve just got 30 minutes to kill, find a 30-minute workout schedule and get started! If you cannot find the right kind of exercising schedule for yourself in Microsoft’s database, you can always create your own routine.
The Exercise Tile, unlike the Guided Exercise Tile, does not tell you when to quit. In fact, it just continues to monitor you until you decide to quit. This is a major downside to the app that Microsoft should consider fixing in the next variant of the Band.
Users can take the help of the built-in Timer or the Reminder feature to tell them when to stop. Both these features are pretty similar and it is up to the user to decide which one to use. Setting up the Reminder is pretty easy.
All you need to do is set up a time when you would like to stop working out, or create a new Reminder for some other task that needs your attention. The app does its job and you can start working out in peace.
Both the Timer and Reminder functionalities are located within the Clock function tile and is easy to access. The Apple Watch is believed to be a strong contender to the Microsoft Band 2, however, there is no direct rivalry once you consider that both these devices have a unique market segment that they cater to.
Reports show that around 37% Americans are on the lookout for a health monitor gadget that will assist them in staying fit and this is where the Microsoft beats the Apple head on. While the Apple Watch and its successor, the Apple Watch 2 are merely smartwatches with a few health apps thrown in, the Microsoft Band 2 is a dedicated fitness monitoring device that gives out detailed reports and reviews of your daily workout.