News Feature | November 6, 2014

Microsoft Health - Platform, Fitness Band & Apps

Katie Wike

By Katie Wike, contributing writer

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Microsoft has just revealed that their new cloud-based platform for health tracking, Microsoft Health, is accompanied by not only a fitness band but also mobile apps.

Microsoft announced its latest innovation – a cloud-based health platform that comes along with apps and a fitness band. The platform, Microsoft Health, is available on Android, iOS, and Windows Phone.

“Microsoft Health will make tracking personal fitness easier, more insightful and more holistic. Microsoft Health will unite data from different health and fitness devices and services in a single, secure location. Once stored in Microsoft Health, you can combine the data you generate from different devices and services – steps, calories, heart rate, and more – to receive powerful insights from our Intelligence Engine,” explains a blog by Microsoft’s Corporate Vice President Todd Holmdahl.

The Intelligence Engine will then be able to tell users

  • which exercises burned the most calories during a workout
  • the recommended recovery time based on the intensity of a workout
  • the amount of restful vs. restless sleep

After extended use and integration with email and calendar information, it will also be able to inform users:

  • fitness performance relative to work schedule
  • whether eating breakfast helps you run faster
  • if the number of meetings during the day impacts sleep quality

iHealth Beat reports that the platform can connect to other fitness apps as well, including Jawbone, Gold's Gym, Runkeeper and MyFitnessPal. “We are excited to have Microsoft Health integrate with our open platform. This will allow us to provide even more personalized insights through the Jawbone UP® system in the future,” said Travis Bogard, VP of Product and Strategy at Jawbone.

The fitness band, Microsoft Band, uses ten sensors to monitor heart rate, calorie burning, and sleep patterns. Health Data Management reports that the Band can also guide users through workouts, connect to incoming calls and emails, and also answer texts and social media updates through Cortana, Microsoft’s intelligent personal assistant. The Band is now on sale in limited quantities for $199.