Microsoft has announced the Band, a health-focused smart fitness wearable intended as a lower-cost competitor to the Apple Watch. While it integrates directly with phones running Windows 8.1 and Cortana, it also works with any phone that has Bluetooth LE, and is compatible with iOS 7.1 on an iPhone 4S (or newer) and any Android phone running version 4.3 or newer operating systems.

The Band includes a number of features that are also included in the latest fitness bands – it is capable of measuring a number of biometrics including:
• Heart rate
• Skin temperature
• Sweat (“galvanic skin response”)
• Step taken
• Sleep monitoring

In addition, the device includes sensors for ambient light, UV light, and GPS; the last is a move to allow runners to leave their phone at home while still being able to track their movements. The phone also includes a microphone, vibration and audio alarms for text messages, email, and calls, and includes a 1.4in touch screen. Microsoft claims that the Band’s batteries will last for 48 hours under normal use, though use of the GPS function will shorten that battery life.

All of those things are either industry standard or becoming industry standard for fitness bands, and the price tag—US$199—is roughly in line with next-gen bands from Fitbit and others. What Microsoft hopes is that its health monitoring app, Microsoft Health, will be the differentiator, providing analytics such as indicating how much recovery time needed after a workout and which exercises burn the most calories—something that Apple’s offerings do not include.