Microsoft Band Gets SDK, Major Health Update

MS BandMicrosoft has launched an SDK for its Band activity tracker, enabling third-party developers to create apps for the device.

The SDK launches as part of a wider update to the Microsoft Health offering launched in 2014 alongside the Band. Microsoft promises this will be the first in a series of updates based on user feedback.

This updates includes a web dashboard to examine activity data in more depth; the addition of a Bike Tile on the Band which tracks cycling; the ability to read incoming messages on the Band and, for Windows Phone users, reply using either a virtual keyboard or Microsofts voice-activated Cortana software; and integration with the MapMyFitness service.

Microsoft currently seems to be redoubling its hardware efforts, with the forthcoming HoloLens and SurfaceHub plus, in Windows 10, the promise of a truly cross-platform OS working across all of these devices.