Microsoft Band available now for $199 (US only)

First seen yesterday, the Microsoft Band can now be purchased in the US for $199, being compatible with Windows Phone 8.1, Android (version 4.3 or newer), and iOS (7.1 and 8).

The Band is a smart fitness tracker developed by Microsoft for “people who want to live healthier and be more productive.” It can help you set and achieve fitness goals, track your sleep, and even monitor your heart rate. Moreover, the Microsoft Band lets you stay connected at a glance, providing quick notifications: emails, calls, texts, or updates from social networking sites. You’ll need to download the Microsoft Health app (from Windows Phone Store, Google Play, or Apple App Store) to connect the Band to your smartphone or tablet. On Windows Phone, the Band is integrated with Cortana.   

The new wearable device has quite a lot of sensors inside, including: optical heart rate sensor, 3-axis accelerometer, gyrometer, GPS, ambient light sensor, skin temperature sensor, UV sensor, capacitive sensor, and galvanic skin response sensor. Other features: a 0.43 x 1.3 inches display, Bluetooth 4.0 LE, haptic vibration motor, and two 100 mAh batteries (which together provide a usage time of up to 48 hours). The Band weighs 60 grams, being sweat- and splash-resistant.

You can buy yourself a Microsoft Band from Microsoft Store - both online, and via retail locations. Microsoft is offering a free 2-week Gold’s Gym trial, and a $5 Starbucks gift card to all buyers. So, who's getting one?