Too long to sit still: Microsoft Nintendo also has to be smart to wear

October 31 News According to foreign media reports, Microsoft and Nintendo this Thursday released a new health hardware products, to become a health category wearable application market Forces nouvelles.

The technology industry has been promoting the development of health applications in the past few years, and there have been a number of health-care devices in the market, such as Jawbone and Fitbit's fitness ring and Samsung's Galaxy Gear smart watch products. Microsoft and Nintendo, as well as other companies seeking to enter the field, are looking at the bright future of the market. According to IHS, the Research Institute, the market is expected to reach $60 billion trillion by 2018.

The retail price of Microsoft's hand ring is 199.99 dollars, posted through Microsoft's own E-commerce website. Microsoft has marketed the product as a fitness device, which monitors the user's heart rate, tracks the user's training, and tracks your sleep if it is worn by the user during sleep. Additionally, additional features include time, email reminders, and calendar notices, including Microsoft Voice assistant Cortana. It is learned that Cortana can help users familiarize themselves with the device, inform news, weather and stock information, and guide directions.

Microsoft Hand ring size is 0.75 inches wide, 0.34 inches thick, weighing about 60 grams. Equipped with ARM Cortex M4 processor, 64MB storage space, with GPS chip and two rechargeable batteries. The device also has several sensors that can perceive heart rate, ambient light, ultraviolet, skin temperature and current response. Microsoft says a charge can last two days. Charging time only takes 90 minutes.

Microsoft Bracelet is a collection of functional fitness tracker, not a smart watch. Hand ring with fitness tracking as the core, with prompt function. It has a lot in common with Samsung Galaxy Gear and Nike FuelBand, but it's a far cry from smart watches like Apple Watch.

The most interesting thing about the device is its link function. This bracelet is suitable for all major operating systems. It can be compatible with Google's Android 4.3 and 4.4, Apple's iOS 7.1 and, of course, Microsoft's own Windows Phone 8.1. Users are free to download a corresponding platform of the accompanying application to control and monitor this device.

Microsoft's new device will compete with Samsung, LG, Motorola, Sony and Pebble in this fast-growing area. Early next year, Apple Watch to join the fray. In the morning of Thursday, Samsung Electronics announced that its next-generation smart watch Gear S will be listed on November 7. The device has a 2-inch Super AMOLED display, using Samsung's own Tizen operating system.

Nintendo, another veteran electronics maker, is taking a different approach to health apps.

Nintendo says its upcoming health device is not a bracelet, but it can measure user fatigue and monitor user sleep. The use of the device, which has not been named, is designed to be placed on the bedside table, where the device will use a microwave based sensor to track the user's sleep and provide advice on how to improve sleep habits based on the data collected.

The product is currently being developed with ResMed, the United States, and will first be provided to Nintendo's newly created healthcare sector. The date of listing and the sale price have not been determined.

Whether the Nintendo design works is still to be seen, and Microsoft has to fight the upcoming Apple Watch and other devices on the market. This is Microsoft's "quick Follow" solution in health apps, but for consumers, Microsoft's participation in the war will only bring them more benefits. For Microsoft, it will have to move hard to get a share of the huge market.

(Responsible editor: Mengyishan)