Microsoft’s long rumored smartwatch was expected to be something that compete with Android Wear, but now the latest rumor suggests that it is nothing more than a fitness band that will display smartphone notifications and timekeeping. According Windows watcher Paul Thurrott, Microsoft’s smartwatch will actually be a fitness wristband with multiple sensors designed to track steps, calories burned, and heart rate. This report matches recent rumors that the device will continuously measure heart rate throughout the day and night.
Apart from this, recently published patent applications from Microsoft shows that the hardware resembles a fitness band with icons for running and heart rate. One of the patent also shows a vertical charging dock. Now it remains which of these elements will be part of the final product. This rumored device is also expected to support iOS, Android, and Windows Phone. Thurrott has also remarked that Microsoft’s fitness band will be available for purchase in the fourth quarter of 2014.
SOURCE: SuperSite for Windows, USPTO (1), (2), (3)
