One month with the Microsoft Band - Was it worth the effort?

Microsoft Band

The Microsoft Band has been on the marketplace since last November and I finally got my hands on one by driving to a Microsoft Store in a neighboring Country. I've had the Ring for a little over a month and equally inventory levels start to climb, I wanted to share my impressions of the Ring.

For the most part I accept been very impressed with the Band, just as we oftentimes seen with start generation devices, there is ever room for improvement. But was information technology worth calling Microsoft Stores in neighboring States and driving two hours to finally become my hands on 1?

Every bit far as fit and feel are concerned, it does have a piddling time to become used to the thickness of the Band. The Ring does have a bit of heft to it only nada that makes you lot experience as though you lot are wearing a boat anchor.

I did find that the Band is sized a footling smaller than other fitness bands. I'grand not certain if it's the majority of the electronics or just a sizing discrepancy. Where I wear a large with the Fitbit devices, a large Microsoft Band was noticeably too large and I had to go with the medium for proper fit.

Microsoft Band

The Ring's fit doesn't demand to be snug and a piddling wiggle room volition non cause bug with the sensors. All the same, if the wiggle room is also great the sensors won't be able to do their thing and you lot will get-go receiving "Where did you go?" messages.

As far as what I like the most well-nigh the Band, I actually like the large display and experience it's only virtually the right size for a fettle/smart band. It compliments all the features of the Band nicely and, for someone with aging eyes, is easy to read.

I do wish Microsoft had used Gorilla Drinking glass for the display though. If you buy a Microsoft Band and information technology does non come with a complimentary screen protector, buy one. I'yard using the Invisible Shield protector that was a freebie with the Band. It is piece of cake to put into place, doesn't bear upon the screen'due south view or sensitivity and protects it from those pesky hairline scratches.

Microsoft Health

As far as functionality is concerned, step counts are fairly accurate and the heart charge per unit monitor is about par for a peel sensor. I do like having the ability to disable tiles/features that I don't use through the Microsoft Wellness app. This ability helps reduce some of the clutter un-used tiles can create. It would be prissy to exist able to move the settings tile towards the front of the line though.

I did have a piffling concern over the Band's battery life. Two days sucks when compared to the seven days other bands go out of their batteries. Nevertheless, I'm finding that this isn't that big of an issue. Much like Sam Sabri discovered, I spend a lot of time sitting in forepart of a computer during the day - time where the Ring is simply keeping track of time and my center rate.

I can go on track of time on my figurer and as long as I tin exercise that, I know my heart is yet ticking. And so for those times I'm camped out in front of my calculator, I have developed a habit of putting my Band on the charger. I don't think my Band's bombardment has ever dipped below 40%.

Microsoft Band

While I am impressed with and like what Microsoft has done with the Band, at that place is always room for improvement. If I had to choice iii things to change well-nigh the band they would be adding the Gorilla Glass, make the Ring water proof and enable the accelerometer to activate the Clock style.

The Microsoft Band replaced my wristwatch that was waterproof. I wouldn't think twice most washing the dishes, taking a shower, going swimming or any other activity that involve water while wearing my watch. I now take to make a conscious attempt to remove my Band earlier hanging around h2o activities. I know with the exposed sensors information technology might exist difficult to make the Band h2o proof but it sure would be nice.

While I like the Watch mode, I would similar to see Microsoft enable the accelerometer to activate the clock display. Garmin'due south VivoSmart{.nofollow} has a characteristic that when you motion-picture show or raise your wrist, the time is displayed briefly. I don't always accept a hand costless to printing the push to activate the screen and having a hands-free glance characteristic would be a welcomed feature.

Microsoft Band

Bottom line, was the Band worth the headache of finding one in stock and $199 price tag?

I still think Microsoft dropped the brawl in a major way by not having enough inventory to run across demand, but afterward all the frustration, irritation and endeavour to go a Ring I call up it was worth it. Afterward using the Microsoft Ring for a calendar month, I have no regrets making the purchase and feel a little out of place when I don't accept information technology on.

Favorite feature? That is a tough one to answer but if I had to cull the i feature that tipped me off the fence with the Microsoft Ring information technology would exist the caller notifications. I don't always hear or feel my Windows Telephone for incoming calls or text messages. Having the Band vibrate when I receive calls or new text messages helps my 24-hour interval to day life a lot. The downside of it all is that I no longer have an alibi for missing my wife'southward calls.

If you are new to the Microsoft Ring or accept been sporting one since twenty-four hour period one, let us know in the comments below what your impressions are with the Ring. The Microsoft Band is bachelor at Microsoft Retail Stores (best to telephone call first to make certain they are in stock) and should be dorsum in stock through the [Microsoft Online Store](/e?link=https%3A%2F%2Fclick.linksynergy.com%2Fdeeplink%3Fid%3DkXQk6%252AivFEQ%26mid%3D24542%26u1%3DUUwpUdUnU28279YYw%26murl%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.microsoftstore.com%252Fstore%252Fmsusa%252Fen_US%252Fpdp%252FMicrosoft-Band%252FproductID.308308800&token=9SkJ-PMt "in early on 2022".