Spanish site MicrosoftInsider published what the site claimed to be leaked images of new Band, complete with a curved display that better conforms to the user’s wrist. The site could dig up little else on the Band 2’s new features, although Microsoft’s hybrid productivity solution/fitness band now appears to be able to track you as run stairs—not exactly a feature that will make most run out an buy it, but a nice addition nevertheless.
And, fortunately, the Starbucks app is still there.
At the time it was announced, the original Microsoft Band mixed and matched the personal and productivity aspects of a given day quite well, tracking exercise as well as appointments. But time hasn’t stood still: the Apple Watch now does many of the same functions, but with many, many more apps powering it. Ditto for Android Wear and the numerous Android-powered smartwatches that Samsung and others have brought to market.
That doesn’t mean you should count out the Band 2 before it hits the market. But Microsoft hopefully has more tricks up its sleeve than just tracking how winded one gets after running the stairs at the local high school.
Why this matters: If you recall, Microsoft launched the Band as if the company was somewhat embarrassed by it, giving the wearable a few small updates after it launched, and that's it. If the Band 2 is launched alongside the Surface Pro 3 and some new Lumia phones, that’s going to give the Band 2 some serious time in the spotlight—and some serious scrutiny, too.