Weeks after rumors began to swirl that Microsoft would abandon its two-year-old Band fitness device, the company has removed the wearable from its website.
The tech company’s wearable page no longer lists the Band as an option, while still showcasing a variety of FitBit and Wellograph bands and watches.
ZDNet, citing sources familiar to the matter, reports that Microsoft is expected to phase out the fitness band brand. That possibility was further evidenced as the company also removed the Band software development kit (SDK) — which allowed apps to be created for the device.
The Verge also reports that Best Buy has stopped selling devices. However, they are still available on Amazon.
While Microsoft hasn’t officially confirmed that the disappearance of the devices means the end of the line for the Band wearable brand, things aren’t looking promising.
Last month, sources reported that the company had disbanded the team that was trying to get the Band to run Windows 10 — the Band 1 and 2 run on custom firmware — and has no plans to release a new device this year.
Still, Microsoft was mum on the fate of the Band 3.
“We continue to invest and innovate in the Microsoft Health platform, which is open to all hardware and apps partners across Windows, iOS, and Android devices,” the company said in a statement to Microsoft. “We also continue to sell Microsoft Band 2 and remain deeply committed to supporting our customers and exploring the wearables space.”
Microsoft pulls Band listings from its Store; admits no Band 3 this year [ZDNET]
The Microsoft Band is dead [The Verge]
by Ashlee Kieler via Consumerist
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