Microsoft has announced that it's ending support for its Health dashboard apps and services effectively killing off the Microsoft Band.
On the 31 May 2019, Microsoft will be shutting down the Microsoft Health dashboard with companion smartphone apps also set to be removed from the Google Play Store, Apple App Store and Microsoft Store. That means all of your data will be deleted on that day. If you do want to keep hold of it, Microsoft says Health data can be exported with instructions listed here.
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While you will still be able to use your Band to do things like record activities (runs, hikes etc) and track sleep, any features that require the companion app or Microsoft Health will not be available.
Interestingly, Microsoft has announced that it will offer refunds to certain Band users. To be eligible for some money back on your Band, you'll need to have a device that is covered under its Limited Warranty or you're an 'Active User'. That means you have worn the Band on your wrist and completed a data sync from the Band to the Health Dashboard between 12 January 2018 and the 3 January 2019.
If you're eligible, Band 1 users will receive $79.99 and Band 2 users will get $175. You need to make that refund claim by the 30 August 2019.
It's surprising that support for the Band has lasted this long as Microsoft decided to discontinue the second generation Band back in 2016. It seemed that a Microsoft Band 3 was in the works and an actual device was built, but it never made it into stores.
A series of patents filed by the tech giant after the Band cancellation seem to suggest that the Microsoft Band could live on as a more serious health tracking wearable. As for its first and second Bands though, it's the end of the line for a device that while packed with great features was ultimately let down by a design that didn't exactly sit very naturally (or comfortably) on the wrist.
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By Michael Sawh
Michael Sawh has been covering the wearable tech industry since the very first Fitbit landed back in 2011. Previously the resident wearable tech expert at Trusted Reviews, he also marshaled the features section of T3.com.
He also regularly contributed to T3 magazine when they needed someone to talk about fitness trackers, running watches, headphones, tablets, and phones.
Michael writes for GQ, Wired, Coach Mag, Metro, MSN, BBC Focus, Stuff, TechRadar and has made several appearances on the BBC Travel Show to talk all things tech.
Michael is a lover of all things sports and fitness-tech related, clocking up over 15 marathons and has put in serious hours in the pool all in the name of testing every fitness wearable going. Expect to see him with a minimum of two wearables at any given time.