Microsoft Band 2 Just got Better!

Microsoft on Thursday announced several new features to the recently launched Microsoft Band 2. The update includes all-new music controls, activity reminders, and an improved and enhanced Exercise Tile.

Users will now be able to pause and play songs, skip forward and back, and turn the volume up and down – all via the full-color touchscreen that displays the song title.

“You'll find the perfect tunes to get you in the holiday spirit this month with our new partner Spotify, but any music app you use on your phone connects to your new Microsoft Band through Bluetooth. Use your new Microsoft Band's music controls any time, whether you're working out or waiting for the bus”, Microsoft explained.

Also, with the update, users can set reminders and can even choose the time intervals and the days they want to be reminded. They can also set a period of time when they don’t want to receive reminders, like when they are sleeping or driving.

With the Exercise tile, users can easily track duration, calorie burn, and heart rate for their favorite exercises.

"Select popular options, like yoga or weightlifting, or name your own. When you review your exercise sessions in the Microsoft Health app or Web Dashboard, your summaries and observations will be grouped by exercise type for better insights into your performance”, the online post read.

Users can learn about the new features with the ‘What’s New’ Tile which will automatically appear on the band when new updates are available.

Priced at $249.99, the latest wearable from Microsoft allows tracking heart rate, exercise, calories burned and even sleep quality. In addition to the ten sensors seen in the previous version – Optical heart rate sensor, 3-axis accelerometer, gyrometer, GPS, ambient light sensor, UV sensor, skin temperature sensor, capacitive sensor and galvanic skin response sensor, Microsoft Band 2 has a new sensor – Barometer, to measure elevation gain and loss with even more precision. It is compatible with Windows Phone 8.1 update or later, iPhone: 4S, 5, 5C, 5S, 6, 6 Plus, iOS 8.1.2, and Android 4.4 or later phones with Bluetooth.