One of the most frequent criticisms of Windows Phone due to the lack of real support for the mobile platform from Microsoft by the manufacturers of so-called wearable devices. This problem should soon be a thing of the past, because with Windows 10 Mobile, the software giant has finally opened the door for wearable technology with proper support.
In this article, we'll take a look at some of the best fitness trackers with official supportthat can be used in conjunction with Windows 10 Mobile. In particular, we will focus on devices with a strong athletic component that, when combined with good willpower, can help you lead a healthy lifestyle.
Microsoft Band
Let's start with a product from Microsoft itself, which obviously offers full compatibility with Windows Phone 8.1 and Windows 10 Mobile. There are two versions on the market today: Microsoft Band and Band 2. If the first version is presented as a kind of experiment, then with the Band 2 Microsoft really made a big leap forward.
In addition to the already rich set of sensors that the first version of the device has (3-axis accelerometer, gyroscope and optical heart rate sensor), the company also added an altimeter to the Band 2. Thanks to them (and other sensors not mentioned), Band 2 is the most complete fitness tracker that can record steps, distance, number of floors climbed, heart rate and allows you to monitor the number of calories burned and the quality of sleep. Especially for lovers of walking, jogging and cycling, Microsoft bracelets are equipped with a GPS antenna, so they can save information about the routes traveled without using the phone. Time autonomous work is about 48 hours, but heavy use of GPS can significantly reduce it.
These bracelets are not just fitness accessories, because they also offer some of the features of a smartwatch: notifications, calendar reminders, weather forecasts and more. helpful information.
Fitbit's range of fitness accessories is truly impressive: everyone can find something to their liking and to suit their budget. The products are very diverse, just look at comparative table below: Zip is the basic model that only tracks the most basic data, while the Surge is the flagship model in the range that is equipped with a GPS antenna and, in theory, can notify you of incoming calls and text messages... However, this feature is not supported on Windows Phone 8.1 and Windows 10 Mobile, as Microsoft's mobile operating systems cannot fully handle GATT services.
Fitbit accessories are compatible with the entire Windows ecosystem: there is an x86 program that works with all windows versionsStarting with XP, there is an app for Windows 8.1, Windows Phone 8.1, RT and a universal app for Windows 10. And in 2016 there should even be support for Xbox One.
Through the app, you can set yourself a number of daily goals that cover almost all statistics supported by the respective wearable device. You can even create a realistic meal plan based on the mass you want to achieve. The Fitbit app also has a social dimension that lets you tease and challenge your friends.
Updates for the official app are released frequently (about once a month) and are not limited to bug fixes and performance improvements. Take the recent update released a few days ago, which also saw the release of a firmware update for the Charge HR and Surge that brought with it automatic recognition of running, outdoor cycling, basketball, tennis, and football.
Battery life varies by model and ranges from 6 months for the Zip to 5 days for the Charge HR.
Adidas miCoach FIT SMART
miCoach FIT SMART is manufactured by the German sportswear manufacturer Adidas. The device is not a small wristband and is unlikely to go unnoticed, but the miCoach FIT SMART is purely a sports accessory and therefore has no functions. smart watch.
The bracelet display consists of 17 x 11 white LEDs and shows basic statistics; located nearby lED Strip Light, whose color can be green, blue, yellow and red depending on the heart rate during training. By the way, FIT SMART captures the heart rate very accurately thanks to the presence of an optical heart rate monitor from Mio. miCoach FIT SMART is not equipped with GPS, but you can use the Adidas app on your smartphone to track your route. Battery life on good level: Adidas claims five days of daily training for an hour, but that's a pretty conservative estimate (if you don't train every day, you get 8-9 days).
Data synchronization is performed via Bluetooth with the miCoach train & run app, which offers several very interesting features: it integrates with MixRadio, turns your smartphone into a personal trainer with real-time voice guidance. In addition, the app allows you to follow dozens of workout plans that help you prepare even for a marathon. The social component allows you to share your workout reports on Facebook, Twitter or e-mail... There is also the possibility of setting goals.
For tablets and PCs with Windows 10, the manufacturer offers the Adidas train & run app (unlike miCoach train & run is universal applicationalthough the Windows 10 Mobile version is not currently available).
Conclusion
As you can see, not everything is as bad as some people think. But we have to admit that the choices are still significantly lower compared to competitive platforms, although all is not lost.
By the way, there are other sports accessories not mentioned in this article, but compatible with the mobile operating system from the software giant:
- Runtastic Orbit & Moment - fully supported;
- Goqii Fitness Band - fully supported;
- Acer liquid leap - fully supported;
- Misfit shine - Supported, but the application has not been updated since April and there are problems with synchronization;
- Xiaomi Mi Band - not officially supported, but can be used thanks to third party apps.
Have a great day!
Fitness trackers have become recent times not just a sports accessory, today fitness bracelets are purchased by ordinary office workers who want to stay in shape, but not zealous on the treadmill in the gym. These days, smart bracelets can do more than just count your steps, showing how many calories you've burned. Some manufacturers claim that their models control activity in the pool or other non-standard sports.
Features:
Depending on the company and price category, fitness trackers have various characteristics... Bracelets that have a display, notify you of missed messages or show the time.
Walk count
Initially, “smart” bracelets had only one function - counting steps and calories. Such accessories were very popular with athletes. The function is based on the recommendation of doctors - each person needs to walk from 7 to 10 thousand steps daily to maintain normal physical shape. The bracelet tells you how much you have walked in a day, showing if you have hit the minimum. However, after 2-3 months of constant monitoring, this function starts to get boring.
At the same time, a number of programs have one drawback - they may mistakenly consider shaking as steps.
Healthy sleep and alarm clock
Some models have alarm and wake-up functions. Sleep monitoring provides data on the time you sleep and fall asleep, as well as the number of times you wake up at night. A smart alarm clock will independently tell you the best time to wake up, and also tell you about the phases of light and deep sleep.
The assistant wakes up its owners not with an annoying ringtone we are used to, but with vibration.
Heart rate monitor
Fitness bracelets have started to measure the pulse relatively recently. The developers are promoting this feature as revolutionary, despite the fact that with regular use it "eats" a lot of battery power.
Fitness tracker reminders
Perhaps one of the important things about the bracelet is the ability to receive notifications. The accessory can communicate with vibration or sound about incoming calls and SMS. In addition, you can choose to receive notifications from other applications.
Models
Microsoft Band 2
Microsoft Band 2 is one of the first fitness bracelets that comes across on the Internet when looking for models for Windows Phone. The product is manufactured by the developers of the Windows operating system.
The application itself is similar to the OS design - it is also made in blue tones, and the screen is divided into rectangles.
The programmers had to try to surprise the owners of Windows:
- All indicators are maximally coupled with each other. For example, when analyzing running, you can see not just the indicators of the past result, but the moments in which you ran faster or slower.
- The bracelet has a sleep analytics function, but there is no “smart” alarm clock. The user can set the vibration for a specific hour.
- In the application, you can also track information about calls, SMS and email.
- The application has a GPS, so you can safely go for a run without a phone.
The advantages of the tracker include high-quality position, display on the bracelet and the presence of GPS. Among the shortcomings were: a high price (from 15-17 thousand Russian rubles), a strap that breaks very often, a battery that holds a charge for a maximum of two days.
Fitbit Charge HR
A tracker that won't "die" in a week - Fitbit Charge HR. Its cost starts from 6.5-7 thousand rubles. This brand is one of the leaders in the creation of fitness bracelets. The tracker works in conjunction with the Fitbit app. In OS Windows program will only work in version 10. The app will tell you about the daily number of steps, analyzing the data for the week, heart rate, calories burned and kilometers traveled.
You can learn more about the functions and features of this model from the following video:
The disadvantages of this model include problems with the initial installation of the application. Also, users note the low degree of protection of the bracelet from water. The advantages of the assistant were found in the original design and cloud storagewhere all the information goes.
Misfit flash
Another Windows Phone compatible bracelet is the Misfit flash. This model has one app for its trackers. The developers present the application as compatible with Windows Phone, however, in fact, they refuse that the tracker does not work on this OS. In addition, the bracelet lacks a display. Benefits include a striking design that suits both men and women; low cost (about 4 thousand rubles).
Of course, a fitness bracelet can perform its functions without connecting to a smartphone. However, the user experience will be minimal. For mobile devicesworking for operating system Android or iOS exists official client for fitness bracelets Mi Bend. It's called My Fit. But for devices in the operating room microsoft systemunfortunately there is no official app yet. But there are worthy analogues that carry out most of the basic functions of My Fit.
Features of a bracelet synchronized with a mobile device
Of course, a fitness bracelet can perform its functions without connecting to a smartphone. However, the user experience will be minimal. For mobile devices operating in the operating room android system or iOS there is an official client for Mi Band fitness bracelets. It's called My Fit. Unfortunately, there is no official application for devices based on the Microsoft operating system. But there are worthy analogues that carry out most of the basic functions of My Fit.
On Windows Phone Xiaomi Mi Band allows the user to use the following functions:
pedometer;
calorie counter;
smart alarm clock;
sleep statistics for the last night.
The same is available for using the braceletMi band 2 on Windows Phone. The difference lies in the bracelet itself. His second version is the majority necessary information displays the gadget on the screen, thereby eliminating the need to refine it using a smartphone.
Unfortunately for Mi Band Windows Phone the functions of updating the firmware of the bracelet and receiving notifications about calls and messages from the phone are not available.
Application for Mi Band on windows smartphones Phone
There is no official client in the Windows Store for Xiaomi fitness bracelets. However, there are worthy analogs from Russian developers. The most successfulapp for Mi Band Windows Phone is a utility called Bind Mi Band. Also, according to users, the Mi Band Companion program is not bad.
Both also support a fitness braceletXiaomi Mi Band 2 on Windows Phone and are the result of the work of Russian developers. However, the first, the Bind Mi Band, is more popular with fitness bracelet owners. This is due to its more aesthetically pleasing interface and the ability to display information about sleep statistics.
What functions can it perform xiaomi app Mi Band Windows Phone?Perhaps most interesting is the ability to use a smart alarm clock. When entering the REM sleep phase, half an hour before waking up, the bracelet begins to vibrate delicately on the arm, thereby trying to wake up. Three times vibration on the wrist will continue until the user wakes up. At the moment when the wake-up time has been set, the application will turn into a regular alarm clock with a sound signal.
Along with this, information about sleep statistics is available in the Bind Mi Bend utility. In it, you can see the time when the user fell asleep, what his dream was like: when the phases of REM and slow sleep followed each other, what was their duration.
The main screen of the application displays information about the steps taken: their number and distance. You can also find information about the heart rate here. Available on the main screen and information about the number of calories burned. When using Bind Mi Band, you can set goals for the day and track their progress.
Additionally, using the Windows utility, you can change the color lED backlight indicators on the bracelet, and find it in case of loss. When the last function is turned on, Mi Bend will start vibrating and blinking to make it easier to find.
How to connect a fitness bracelet to a smartphone
When using the Xaomi Mi Bend and Mi Bend 2 gadgets, it is recommended to first synchronize it with a device running on the Android or iOS operating system. This must be done in order to install the current version of the bracelet firmware. After that, you can synchronize with the Windows device.
The connection between the bracelet and the device is established using a Bluetooth connection. Therefore, in order to connect Mi Bend 2 to Windows, or the first version of Mi Bend, you must enable this channel and start searching for the device. This procedure will take no more than 1-2 minutes. Further at installed utility you can start using the fitness bracelet.
When starting the program for Mi Band for the first time, the user must register his Mi-account. This can be done using a PC or the smartphone itself. You will also need to provide information about date of birth, weight and height. All this is necessary for the application for more accurate calculation of steps and calories.
An important feature in using the bracelet is that it can be installed backup data. In this case, you will need to synchronize with one storage, which is very convenient when you often change smartphones.
Along with this, it is not necessary to keep the Bluetooth connection always on on the Windows background. Internal memory the bracelet is enough to store data for ten days. And given that notifications about calls and messages are not available when using a fitness bracelet and a smartphone with software Microsoft, always syncing will just waste your battery.
IN modern world most people own a fitness bracelet as it is essential for any sport.
It is worth noting that most of all models look quite simple and identical to each other, but with all this they look very stylish as on female hand, and on the male.
You can see that many firms that are engaged in the production of various electronics and mobile phoneare releasing their own bracelets.
They all differ in the number of functions. This fact allows the client to purchase a bracelet with the functionality that only he needs.
One of the main features this device is that it can be synchronized with a smartphone or personal computer... This is done so that the data can be analyzed.
Also, most developers for mobile devices have produced specialized applications that can be used with fitness bracelets.
The name of the program Platform Is the application Russified? Design assessment (on a five-point scale) Functional assessment (on a five-point scale) Microsoft Health
– 4 4 Android – 3 2 Runtastic
iOS, Android + 2 4 Up by Jawbone
Android – 3 3 Android + 4 4 Razer Nabu
iOS, Android + 3 3 iOS, Android – 3 4 Polar Flow
iOS, Android – 4 4 Fatsecret
Windows Mobile, iOS, Android + 5 4 iOS, Android + 3 5 Apple Watch Workout
iOS + 4 5 Runkepper
iOS, Android – 3 4 Nike + Run Club
iOS, Android + 5 5 Endomondo
iOS, Android + 4 4 Strava running
iOS, Android + 3 3 RunKeeper
Read also: TOP 15 Best smartwatches of 2018 | Our rating + Reviews
This program can be said in the official Apple store called Appstore. It's completely free. In order to perform the installation, you do not need to perform any special actions.
It is worth noting that this utility was originally developed only for running. From this fact, we can conclude that it is able to count the number of meters traveled.
With this program you can communicate with people living in different parts of the world who lead an active lifestyle.
The utility also allows you to track your training days. To do this, you have the opportunity to use various tables and graphs provided by the program. This application will be your personal trainer.
Of course, the utility has a specialized paid package that includes personal workouts to help you pump up or just create a beautiful figure.
Nike + Run Club
Read also:TOP 20 Best External Batteries in 2018: for smartphones, tablets, laptops and other gadgets + Reviews
The next application, which we want to tell you about, has produced for everyone famous company Nike.
If you are bored with doing sports alone, then the application will help you find like-minded people.
You also have the opportunity with the help of this program to create your own group of people in order to play sports together.
You can view the profiles of the most famous athletes who have already achieved colossal results. This option was made to motivate people.
It makes no sense to talk about such standard functions as calculating the kilometers traveled, listening to music, participating in competitions, and so on. All of these options are of course in the Nike app.
Endomondo
Read also: TOP 15 Best portable bluetooth speakers 2018 with good sound
This program allows beginner athletes to win various prizes. To do this, you just need to accept the challenge and achieve the best result among the participants.
You can, of course, not participate in this promotion, but just train. The program is available for different types sports.
Each athlete has the opportunity to create a personal training program that will help you become thinner, leaner, as well as gain weight or dry out, and so on.
You can always correct the necessary points, this is done very simply.
The program will be useful both for sports at home and in the gym or on the street.
Strava running
Read also: The whole world on the phone: TOP-25 travel programs
This app, like many of its competitors, supports Android Wear. The program has one rather unique function that allows you to save the current route for the next time.
Also, you always have the opportunity to use the route that other users of the application have saved. To do this, you only need to download it.
It is worth noting that the utility interface is not Russified, so use it without knowing in English or another popular European language will be quite problematic.
Therefore, before downloading the program, you must take this fact into account.
Apple Watch Workout
Read also: TOP 15 Free Spyware Programs for Android
The Workout program will immediately come with the Apple Watch and is designed specifically for those who want to have detailed statistics, and not just a quick summary.
There are separate modes for running, walking and cycling.
During your workout, you will receive a variety of data about it in real time - from time spent to calories and pace.
JEFIT
Read also:The best children's smart watches - TOP-15
Another app that works with different fitness bracelets is Jefit.
The program will help create own program for playing sports, but it is worth noting that in order to achieve results, it must be correctly and constantly performed. Jefit is your personal fitness trainer.
The utility has a simple and understandable menu that every average user can master in a matter of minutes.
The program includes more than 1300 exercises, which are accompanied by the most detailed instructions.
The utility also has a specialized notepad that allows you to record information about the loads.
FatSecret
Read also:Best maps for Android: Our TOP-10
Fat secret is an application that differs in its functionality and purpose from previous programs. First of all, this utility is a smart nutritionist.
After all, in order to achieve the result, not only regular training according to specialized programs and a healthy dignity are needed, but also proper nutrition is required, which will be monitored by the Fatsecret application.
In order to start monitoring your diet, you only need to download this program and register an appropriate account.
After completing the previous step, you need to enter your gender, height, weight, age and other anatomical data. After that, you need to set the task you are striving for.
For example, this could be weight gain, weight loss, or drying. And also it is necessary to mark the foods that you most often consume per day.
Don't worry if you are a sophisticated person. After all, the list of products is constantly updated by both the developers and the user. Therefore, in the list you can find both regular food and exotic dishes.
Polar Flow
If you use models of fitness bracelets from POLAR FLOW, for example, such as Loop, Loop 2, Loop Crystal, A300, then this means that this program you just need it.
On the display, you can see data that indicates activity during the day, month or week. You can choose the period yourself.
Also this feature you have the opportunity to use to monitor the results of your sports.
Apps for fitness bracelets Mi Fit
This program was created specifically for those users who use fitness bracelets from a manufacturer such as Xiaomi. You can use any device model, including Mi Band.
If you compare this application with other programs, you will notice that it has a great menu view.
It should be understood that the utility has a standard set of functions, which includes displaying activity data and other options.
You also have the opportunity to use this application as a good alarm clock, which can be set along with the monitor.
Mi band is a smart alarm clock that will tell you about the quality of your sleep. The program details all the data for the night, which includes the duration within hours and minutes.
Trackme fitness bracelet apps
Another application that we want to tell you about is trackme. It is specially designed for the Youwell smartband fitness bracelet.
With the help of this program, you have the opportunity to monitor the state of your life, namely, for such indicators as:
- Kilometers traveled. After all, the program calculates the kilometers traveled by you;
- Steps taken. The application calculates the steps you have taken;
- Calories burned;
It is worth noting that the utility monitors your sleep. In the morning you have the opportunity to view statistics for the whole night.
The application has a specialized function that allows you to set different goals for each day.
And the last thing to say, the program is with you twenty-four hours a day, so you can always compare information by day, week, month, and so on.
The Microsoft Band is a low-cost, waterproof, functional fitness tracker that is compatible with iOS, Windows Phone, and Android devices. One battery charge lasts for two days at maximum load. The bracelet is equipped with GPS sensors, a built-in microphone, an optical heart rate sensor, and can also monitor the level of UV radiation and illumination. It helps you set and track fitness goals. Ideal for controlling exercise and sleep patterns.
Activity monitoring
Microsoft Band can track your every move, including distance, calories burned, time, and activity intensity. It will keep track of steps, distance traveled, calories burned, and activity and idle times. You can set the goal of the day to the bracelet, upon reaching which it will inform you.
Sleep and alarm
The Microsoft Band has a built-in programmable smart wake-up alarm and an indicator that tracks your movements while you sleep. You can see how many hours you slept, the ratio of light to deep sleep, and the time you wake up. Over time, you will be able to identify patterns that affect your well-being.
Synchronization with your phone
For a full microsoft work Band, you need to have a smartphone running Windows Phone 8.1+, Android 4.3+ and iOS 7+. Synchronization with the phone takes place via the Bluetooth 4.0 module. Long operating time and a range of operating temperatures from -40 to +60 C will allow you to comfortably use the bracelet in almost any weather conditions.
