On this quiet Friday night, Microsoft is announcing the end of support for Microsoft Health and Microsoft Band apps. The company will be shutting down the Microsoft Health Dashboard site on the web and remove the Microsoft Band apps from the Android, Apple, and Microsoft app stores on 31st of May.
Microsoft says those with a Microsoft Band device will continue to be able to use their devices, though you won’t get any of the “web-connected” features. The company will allow users to export their existing data to other services until 31st May 2019.
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If you still have the Microsoft Band app installed after the service has reached the end of support, it will simply stop working as Microsoft will completely pull the plug from the backend supporting the service.
In terms of features, you will still be able to record and track things like steps, heart rate, and other basic workouts, as well as activity data on your Band. You will continue to be able to track your sleep and set alarms from the Band, but any of the features that rely on the cloud or the phone app will no longer work.
Microsoft is (thankfully) letting some users get a refund on their Band devices, based on the following criteria. Eligible customers will get $79.99 for the original Band, or $175 for the second-generation Band.
Microsoft pulling the plug on Microsoft Band at this point is not a surprise, considering the fact that the company has stopped making new Band devices. The last Band was released back in 2015, and all the Band apps have not been updated in recent times. The company’s Health platform has also fallen behind other platforms, and so completely shutting down the service makes sense. Unless you still actively use your Band device — and in that case, you might want to try for a refund or just buy a new device.
jumpingjackflash5
<p>Well, Microsoft is simply abandoning consumers. But Microsoft probably does not realize that continuing this trend, people would not prefer Microsoft at business, too. If they want to become the new IBM, they surely can ….</p>
jumpingjackflash5
<blockquote><em><a href="#408354">In reply to Donkey_Gas:</a></em></blockquote><p>Well, they may abandon in polite way. But they still do. Mobile, issues with Windows Update especially for home users, Zune, etc. Also Edge browser does not have much potential currently. I switched to Firefox since January and I am much more satisfied than with Edge. Well – not that big problem since there are alternatives, but I have kind of liked Windows ecosystem, I even still have my Office Personal subscription, but if this trend continues ….</p>
provision l-3
<blockquote><em><a href="#408352">In reply to jumpingjackflash5:</a></em></blockquote><p><em>"Microsoft is simply abandoning consumers"</em></p><p><br></p><p>This implies that consumers bought the band in numbers. The reality is that like the Zune these things just never sold particularly well and there isn't much of a consumer base to abandon, Microsoft made the right decision in dropping an underperforming product. </p>
provision l-3
<blockquote><em><a href="#408504">In reply to locust infested orchard inc:</a></em></blockquote><p>You are literally saying that people being critical of Microsoft bothers you to the extend that you create a fantasy world to protect yourself. </p>
provision l-3
<blockquote><em><a href="#408723">In reply to lethalleigh:</a></em></blockquote><p>What Jackwagon said, I also don't exist because I have a space in my name too. </p>