Microsoft Unveils Fitness Band, Health Tracking Platform and App

Microsoft has unveiled a health data tracking platform, a mobile health application and a wearable fitness tracking band, Health Data Management reports (Slabodkin, Health Data Management, 10/31).

According to the AP/San Francisco Chronicle, Microsoft aims to compete with Apple and others in the relatively new wearable device market (AP/San Francisco Chronicle, 10/30).

Details of New Tools

Microsoft Health is a cloud-based platform that can connect to and store information from Microsoft's new app -- also called Microsoft Health -- as well as other health and fitness apps, such as Jawbone, Gold's Gym, Runkeeper and MyFitnessPal.

The Microsoft Health app also can connect to Microsoft HealthVault, which collects data from other trackers such as blood glucose monitors and electronic scales (Pai, MobiHealthNews, 10/30).

Meanwhile, the Microsoft Band will work with the Microsoft Health system to consolidate health and fitness data from various apps and tools.

In addition to displaying previews of incoming emails and other alerts, the Microsoft Band will contain 10 tracking sensors to measure things such as:

  • Distance traveled;
  • Heart rate;
  • Sleep; and
  • UV light levels (AP/San Francisco Chronicle, 10/30).

The Microsoft Band -- which went on sale Thursday -- costs $199 (Sullivan, VentureBeat, 10/29).

Source: iHealthBeat, Friday, October 31, 2014