Microsoft likely won’t release a successor to its Band 2 wearable in 2016

Microsoft will likely not release a new Band 3 fitness wearable this fall, reports ZDNet‘s Mary Jo Foley.

When Foley asked Microsoft to comment on the wearable’s future, a spokesperson for the company said:

“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. We also continue to sell Microsoft Band 2 and remain deeply committed to supporting our customers and exploring the wearables space.”

Unnamed sources within the company told Foley Microsoft does not plan to release a new version of its fitness wearable in 2016. They also told her Microsoft has disbanded a team that was working on getting the Band 2 to work on Windows 10 (both the original Band and Band 2 currently run on custom firmware).

Paul Thurrott, another noted Microsoft insider, subsequently corroborated Foley’s report.

What’s confusing about the move is that since Microsoft issued its statement to Foley, the company has renamed its Health app, renaming it, on Android at least, to Microsoft Band.

For the time being, Microsoft continues to sell the wearable in Canada. The Band 2 is currently priced at $250 on the online Microsoft Store.

[source]ZDNet, Paul Thurrott (1), (2)[/source]