Microsoft's upcoming smart fitness band might work with Apple and Android too

 

 

If Samsung has its Fit, Google its Android Wear, and Apple its rumored iWatch, can Microsoft be far behind in the wearables fray?

 

Microsoft has sought a patent for a "wearable personal information system" though a Microsoft-oriented site said it may not necessarily be in the form of a watch.

 

"The system may include a portable information device having a housing including a top surface defined at least partially by a display, a bottom surface configured with a central region in which an optical sensor, electrical connector, and data connector are positioned, the housing enclosing an internal volume in which a processor is provided, the top surface and bottom surface being coupled by a perimeter side edge extending therebetween, and a mounting structure formed at least partially around the perimeter side edge of the housing," read Microsoft's patent application.

 

It added the system "may further include a frame, which may be connected to a band, the frame surrounding a void and configured to receive the mounting structure, the frame and mounting structure being releasably securable via a tongue and groove connection."

 

Also, Microsoft specified the system may include provisions for dock "to which the information device may be connected."

 

But before consumers think of smartwatches with Windows-style tiles, Microsoft enthusiast Paul Thurrott said the Microsoft device would be closer to a "Samsung Gear Fit-like fitness band."

 

"My sources tell me instead that Microsoft will this fall release a Samsung Gear Fit-like fitness band that will display smart phone-based notifications, just like the current and rumored watches and other wearables. So that's the first bit of rumor busting: It's a wristband, not a watch. Yes, I'm sure you'll be able to see the time on its screen. But the form factor is a wristband," he said.

 

Playing nice with Google and Apple

 

Thurrott said the Microsoft wearable's come-on is that it will play nice with "everything and not just the device maker's smart phone platform."

 

"Where Samsung wearables only work with Samsung phones, Android Wear devices only work with modern Android devices, and Apple's rumored iWatch will obviously only work with iPhone, Microsoft will take a different approach. It will work with Android, iPhone and Windows Phone," he said.

 

Still, he said Microsoft's gadget will work like similar fitness bands by using multiple sensors to "track your fitness—steps, calories burned, heart rate, and the like—throughout the day and interoperate with apps on mobile phones."

 

"Microsoft makes some great apps, already—hint, hint—including Bing Health & Fitness and Healthvault. It will work with third party apps too, of course," he said.

 

Thurrott said the band may have a similar price as the Samsung Gear, and could hit store shelves as early as the fourth quarter of 2014.

 

But as to how the device will be branded, he said he has "no idea," at least for now. "Presumably Nokia/Lumia or Surface, but I've not heard," he said. — Joel Locsin/TJD, GMA News