As you can see, there is a lot going on your wrist with a device of a 310 x 102 pixels resolution and a battery that can last up to 48 hours. Everything is possible thanks to the sensors and software, Microsoft has packed in such tiny device. Plus the Microsoft Health, the new Microsoft’s cloud service behind all the calculations that will make sense of all the information collected for you to live a healthier and productive live. Here is an overview of all the sensors packed in the Microsoft Band. Optical heart rate monitor: The Microsoft Band is capable of monitoring and reporting your heart rate 24/7. And fluctuations in the measurements help to better determine your quality calories burned and to improve stats in your activity levels. Accelerometer/Gyrometer: When you start moving, the accelerometer/gyrometer is in charge to detect you movement. Thanks to this censor things like number of steps you’ve taken can be calculated and combined with your heart rate measurements calories burned are calculated. Also heart rate and motion indicate periods of restful and light sleep. GPS: There is no much to say about the GPS. This well-known sensor is included in the Microsoft Band and tracks your location when enabled. Later when the information is synced, you can see a map of the routes you have taken in the Microsoft Health app. As expected, the GPS data also offers refine distance and speed calculations. Microphone: The purpose of a microphone is to speak with Cortana, Microsoft’s digital assistant. The mic is located close the left side of the touchscreen, to activate it just press the action button. Ambient Light Sensor: To help save battery and to display proper screen brightness in the screen, the Microsoft Band features an ambient light sensor. Galvanic Skin Response (GSR) sensors: The GSR sensors are there to measure conductivity of your skin between the sensor located under the clasp and the one in the contact point under the face of the device. This sensor can help to detect stress levels and tell the Microsoft Band that you’re actually wearing it and it can properly monitor your activities. UV sensor: Tapping the UV Tile, you can view the UV level in your surroundings, so you can decide if you need sunscreen, a hat, or you can decide to go out at all. And finally there is a skin temperature and a capacitive sensor that combined with all the other sensors can track your health everywhere you go. Microsoft Band operating system: Obviously this isn’t a sensor, but it’s important to note that the Microsoft Band doesn’t have an operating system, it doesn’t run Windows or even Windows Embedded. For what I hear it runs only a firmware that controls all the sensors and drivers for the components inside the band. What we can take away from the Microsoft Band is that it currently is the device that measures more than fitness activities than any other device available in the market today. Also it’s one of the few that offers a GPS build-in to the band, and considering that it’s the first version it does a lot of amazing things. All content on this site is provided with no warranties, express or implied. Use any information at your own risk. Always backup of your device and files before making any changes. Privacy policy info.
