14 DAY TRIAL // Microsoft was expected to introduce a new-generation Band in the coming months, but according to a new report, the company has completely changed its plans and is now even pondering a possible demise of the device.
ZDNet is reporting that Microsoft tried to install Windows 10 IoT on the Band activity tracker for the third generation, but this experiment failed, and the firm disbanded (no pun intended) the team that was working on this project.
As a result, not only that the Band 3 is now expected to be pushed back but there’s also a considerable chance not to get this model at all, the report reveals.
Band 2 will continue to be available
Microsoft says it’s fully focused on expanding Health, the company’s own health service that serves as the foundation of Band and other devices across multiple platforms, and sales of the Band 2 would continue in the coming months.
This is clearly a hint that the Band 3 won’t launch this year, despite rumors that the company was pondering a possible release of the device in October.
“We continue to invest and innovate in the Microsoft Health platform, which is open to all hardware and apps partners across Windows, iOS, and Android devices. We also continue to sell Microsoft Band 2 and remain deeply committed to supporting our customers and exploring the wearables space,” a company spokesperson was quoted as saying.
If Microsoft ever decides to launch the Band 3, it could actually be only a slightly improved version of the Band 2, but running the same firmware and boasting almost the same features and sensors.
The design is unlikely to change substantially if a new model is not completely redesigned, but Microsoft is anyway expected to address design issues that have impacted the Band 2 and causing the rubber band to tear apart.
The next deadline for Microsoft Band 3 seems to be spring 2017, when Microsoft is planning a hardware event to possibly introduce the Surface Book 2, the Surface Pro 5, and a Surface Phone. Last year, the Band 2 made its debut alongside the Surface Book, the Surface Pro 4, and new Lumia devices, so it would make sense for Microsoft to maintain the same approach for the next generation as well.