Microsoft Band Smartwatch Release Date Arrives; Apple Keeps Quiet on Apple Watch

Microsoft will launch its smartwatch called the Microsoft Band today, Oct. 30, even as Apple keeps mum on details of its Apple Watch. At the same time, the Microsoft Store is also sponsoring a fitness event today in promotion of their new smartwatch as posted on their official Facebook page.

Microsoft has announced the release of its Microsoft Band in its official site. It will be sold at a price of at $199 right in time for the holiday season. It will be released along with an app called "Microsoft Health" which will be available on Apple's iOS, Google's Android and Microsoft's Window Phone.

The app is designed to sync with the Mobile Band to extract health-related data, such as heart monitoring, GPS distance measurement, step counting, calorie counting and sleep monitoring. The watch can also be worn overnight as it records the users' sleep patterns, displaying restful and light sleep and how many times the user wakes up.

The Microsoft Band also allows users to preview emails, access a calendar of appointments, access Twitter, Facebook and text messages, and view stock quotes. Its battery also lasts two days and has Cortana, Microsoft's voice assistant, to help users.

Apple's Watch, on the other hand, won't go on sale until early 2015, possibly around Valentine's Day. Apple has confirmed their new Apple Watch but has not released much information.

Some details on the Apple Watch remain a mystery. But the long lead time between Apple's announcement and release is possibly due to problems with the device's battery life.

The Apple Watch's starting price has been tagged at $350, while its golden 18-karat Apple Watch Edition could be as high as $5000.

Apple Watch will also feature Apple Pay, a heart rate monitor, accelerometers and GPS for fitness and health tracking.