Let's hear it for the band: Microsoft's new wearable is proving hard to find

Last week, we told you that the Microsoft Band had gone on sale inside the U.S. The latest entrant in the competitive fitness band category is priced at $199. That is, if you can get one. Thanks to its ability to be used with Windows Phone 8.1, Android (4.3 and up) and iOS (7.1 and 8), the wearable can be sold to a vast majority of smartphone users.

That might be one of the reasons why the device cannot be found. There have been long lines forming inside the brick and mortar Microsoft Stores, consisting of buyers looking for the device. On eBay, one unit has fetched a bid of $475. And coming on the cusp of the holiday shopping season, it seems that there are a lot of people who want a Microsoft Band under their tree this year.

The Microsoft Band performs 24 hour heart rate monitoring and those with a Windows Phone 8.1 device can integrate their Microsoft Band with Cortana. Microsoft either decided to keep inventory down in order to create a buzz before Black Friday, or it just did not have a good handle on demand. If supplies of the fitness band stay well under demand, Microsoft could have this year's version of Tickle Me Elmo on its hands.


source: gdgtarena via WMPoweruser