Microsoft Band 2 Coming in October

The story of Microsoft is a sad case of downward mobility. After ruling the tech world in the 90s, it’s all been downhill for the beleaguered brand that keeps putting out one losing product after another. Will the second generation of the Microsoft Band be a winner for MS?

The Microsoft Band has been out for a while now but hasn’t caused much of a stir. The band does all the usual tasks that a fitness device is expected to do like track heart rate, steps, sleep quality and calories burned but the $199 price tag seems a bit high. While the band is compatible with Windows Phone, Android and Apple iOS, the Cortana personal assistant works only with Windows Phone 1—for the small number of people that actually bought a Windows Phone.

Now Microsoft is giving the fitness band another try. Leaked images of the Microsoft Band 2 show an upgraded design with a curved screen replacing the widely-panned flat screen of the first edition. The second gen model also has chrome accents for a more stylish look. The photo shows physical buttons that will probably be used for navigation options. The Microsoft Band 2 is rumored to have the ability to track stair climbing with a sensor that monitors altitude.

Microsoft is having a hardware event on October 6 so that’s when we can expect to get our first official look at the Band 2, which can be expected to hit stores in time for holiday shopping. Unless MS has packed some super-duper new features into the Microsoft Band 2, it will probably get lost in the shuffle of smartwatches, fitness bands and other wearable devices competing for our shopping dollars this year.

Microsoft is badly in need of a spectacular new product to get back in the game but the Band 2 is not likely to be it.