Microsoft Band
I really thought this wearable had potential. But when Microsoft released the second edition without addressing the major complaints of the first, it set the fitness tracker on a path to extinction. It’s a shame, because the Band was packed with fitness features and smartwatch functionality, and was uniquely compatible across Android, iOS, and Windows phones.
What’s so frustrating is that the Band’s major downfall—poor comfort—seemed easily fixable. And yet, when Microsoft released the Band 2, it was only slightly more tolerable to wear. Then there was the issue of reliability. Not with the platform—the Band was one of the most accurate fitness trackers available at the time—but with the rubber material, which was prone to cracking.
Microsoft quietly switched to a thicker, more durable band, but it never added waterproofing or improved the battery life beyond two days. The fitness tracker also wasn’t cheap, and at a time when non-Apple Watch wearables were struggling to make any noise, the industry needed a more refined product. After two short years, the Band was discontinued in 2016.
