Report: Rumored Microsoft Smartwatch Really a Smartband

Microsoft’s (MSFT) expected (actually, almost obligatory) jump into the smartwatch arena could come sometime this fall in the form of a fitness-like smartband, perhaps similar to Samsung’s Gear Fit offering, according to a new report.

With a number of the big players such as Apple (AAPL), Google (GOOG) and Samsung already in or planning to enter the wearables market, the obvious question is,”What about Microsoft?” A Microsoft wearable is in the works, but it’s not a smartwatch—it’s a smartband more along the lines of a fitness band.

While details are still quite sketchy, Microsoft’s entry will be similar to other smartwatches currently on the market in that it will feature smartphone-based alerts and display the time on its screen, according to Paul Thurrott’s Supersite for Windows. The device will incorporate a number of sensors (Apple’s impending iWatch is said to deploy at least 10) to track a user’s activity and associated data such as calories expended and pulse—interacting with Microsoft and third-party apps on other mobile devices and compiling information throughout the day.

There’s some indication that the device will operate with Microsoft’s Bing Health & Fitness and Healthvault apps.

With all its similarities to current and planned smartwatches and smart fitness bands, Microsoft’s platform will feature a significant differentiator. According to Thurrott, Microsoft’s wrist gadget will work with competing platforms Android and iOS along with Windows Phone devices—a far different approach than Android Wear, Samsung and quite possibly, Apple’s rumored iWatch are taking, all of whose wearables work only with their own stuff.

Thurrott predicts Microsoft will deliver its smartband sometime in Q4 this year. He figures it will be priced in the same range as Samsung’s Gear Fit, which retails for $199.99 but can be found for $149.99. As for branding, there are no clues at this point, he said.