Microsoft Band Faces Big Demand, Sold Out Online: Is the Wearable Worth Trying Out?

Microsoft's highly anticipated wearable gadget - the Band - was finally released last week, and the USP of the gadget is its Cortana integration, cross-platform support and heart-rate monitor, apart from a slew of other features.

Now, it seems that these features have indeed succeeded in grabbing people's fancy in the US, as according to an official listing on the online Microsoft Store, the $199 (£125) wearable gadget is out of stock.

Also, according to an Ubergizmo report, Microsoft's brick-and-mortar retail stores across the US are currently dealing with 'increased demand' from prospective buyers of Microsoft Band, and the gadget is also 'sold out' across multiple Microsoft physical retail stores.

However, if you are looking at purchasing the Microsoft Band, then you can still sign up to receive updates as and when fresh stocks of the wearable reach Microsoft's Stores. Navigate to the Redmond-based company's online web portal now, and sign-up to receive the latest notifications.

Is Microsoft's Band worth trying out?

At $199, the Microsoft Band wearable may seem a bit over-priced when you take the $149 (£93) priced Samsung Gear Fit into consideration, but buy the former for its cross-platform support which allows you to sync even iPhones with it.

Also, with Cortana built into the Microsoft Band, you get to keep tabs on all your 'most important' activities without depending on your Windows Phone 8.1 smartphone every time.

Samsung's Gear Fit does not offer a personal digital assistant (PDA), or even a voice assistant for that matter, which means that you need to depend on your smartphones every time you want an update about an activity.

With Redmond's Band also featuring fitness apps (like other major wearable bands in town, including Samsung's Gear Fit), you could use the Microsoft Band to monitor your health and fitness regime.

Undoubtedly, the biggest advantage that Microsoft's wearable offering gives you is, cross-platform devices integration, which ensures that you do not fret over not having owned a Windows Phone only.

The above are some of the most important aspects of the Microsoft Band which we feel will give the wearable an edge over competition.

Other key features and tech-specs of Microsoft Band include:

• Touch-enabled TFT full-colour display;
• 64MB internal storage;
• ARM Cortex M4 processor;
• Optical heart rate sensor, GPS, UV Sensor, along with a host of other sensors;
• Low-energy Bluetooth 4.0 connectivity;
• Microphone and Haptic vibration motor embedded;
• Compatibility: Windows Phone 8.1 Update, Ios 7.1, Ios 8, and Android 4.3, 4.4 compatible;
• Built-in Smart UV Monitor;
• Ability to read text messages, and view incoming calls, even when on the move;
• Email notifications and Calendar integration;
• Two 100 mAh rechargeable Li-Ion batteries, that are claimed to operate for at least 48 hours in normal usage conditions;
• Batteries can be charged to full, in less than 1.5 hours;
• Dynamic accessibility to Microsoft Windows Store, Google Play Store and Apple App repositories; and
• Band weighs in at 60 grams.

In summary, it should make sense to wait a tad longer for the Microsoft Band to be in stock, if you are looking at owning a smart wearable personal assistant.

Microsoft will also take its wearable Band to more countries of the world, outside of the US very soon.