Microsoft Is Possibly Discontinuing Its Band Fitness Tracker As It Shifts Focus Toward Its Health Platform

Last year, Microsoft released the Band 2 fitness tracker which was seen by many as a huge improvement from the original Band device from 2014. It’s now 2016, and it looks like the Microsoft Band 3 isn’t happening soon or at all.

Sources have indicated that Microsoft has no plans to launch a new Band fitness tracker this year, and it’s possible that the company has decided to discontinue the devices entirely, according to ZDNet’s Mary Jo Foley. Foley, who has a pretty solid track record with her reports, also said that the development team that was planning to bring Windows 10 into the Band devices has already been disbanded.

“We continue to invest and innovate in the Microsoft Health platform, which is open to all hardware and apps partners across Windows, iOS and Android devices,” a spokesperson from Microsoft told Foley. “We also continue to sell Microsoft Band 2 and remain deeply committed to supporting our customers and exploring the wearables space.”

Although Microsoft didn’t confirm or deny the discontinuation of its Band devices, it does look like the company is now solely interested in focusing its efforts toward the Microsoft Health platform and its other services, like Office. The statement given by the spokesperson also hints that there’s no incoming Band 3 and that the company will continue providing software support for the current Band 2. Microsoft may possibly make an official announcement regarding the future of its fitness device next month, according to The Verge.

The Microsoft Band 2 was announced on Oct. 6, 2015, and it went on sale a few weeks later on Oct. 30 for $250. The device worked for Windows, iOS and Android smartphones and it had GPS onboard. Like its predecessor, the Band 2 is able to track a user’s activities like running, biking and even golfing.

The device received mostly positive reviews and earned a 75 percent score from Engadget and a score of 3/5 (or 6.9/10) from CNET. The Microsoft Band 2 now sells for $175.