Microsoft Band on sale in the UK next month for £170

Microsoft's first fitness tracker, the imaginatively named Microsoft Band, will launch in the UK on 15 April, costing British buyers £169.99.

The Redmond company's entrant to the activity tracker market was intended to take on the likes of the Fitbit Charge HR and the Garmin Vivosmart but has received pretty average reviews since going on sale Stateside in October, with most critics (Wareable included) lamenting the incredibly uncomfortable fit of the device.

Wareable verdict: Microsoft Band review

Featuring the Modern UI tiles you'll be familiar with from Windows 8 and Windows Phone, the Microsoft Band packs in all the usual activity recording functions such as step counting, calorie burn levels, and sleep quality analysis.

Where Microsoft takes this further is by packing in 24 hour rate monitoring, as well as GPS connectivity. With GPS built right into the Band, there's no need to carry your smartphone around with you to accurately record and map your runs.

Talking of smartphones and Microsoft made a clever decision not to lock its Band into the Windows Phone platform - it plays nicely with Android and iOS as well.

Old rivals: Apple Watch v Microsoft Band

The Microsoft Band also boasts some smartwatch features as well, like email previews, calendar reminders, incoming call alerts, text and social media notifications, and weather and finance information.

The spec sheet is pretty impressive then - it's just a shame the Band is so clunky and uncomfortable.

Microsoft has also announced its Google Fit / Apple Health rival, Microsoft Health - a platform that ties in health and fitness data from a range of devices and apps - will also launch in the UK.

As well as the British launch, US availability (which has been sporadic at best) will be extended and will be available from Target, Best Buy and Amazon.

In the UK, you can pre-order a Microsoft Band now from Amazon, Currys PC World, Dixons Travel, Harrods, Microsoft Store and O2.