Microsoft pulls the plug on Band 2, has stopped making wearables for now

Microsoft has confirmed that it would discontinue its line of wearable products, making Microsoft Band 2 a thing of the past. The Redmond giant removed Band 2 from its online store after stock ran out.

And it seems the demise of what was formerly known as Health app, which was only recently renamed to Band, marks the start of Microsoft’s plan to ditch its line of Band products. Microsoft confirmed to ZDNet that it is not planning to produce another Band this year. That means we are not likely to see a Band 3 in 2016, contrary to initial expectations.

The team tasked with transitioning the fitness device to the Windows 10 platform was also disbanded a few months ago. Even the Band’s SDK is no longer available, which makes sense given that Microsoft has pulled the plug on Band 2.

Microsoft released Band 2 in October 2015 for $250, but the activity tracking device didn’t quite make a significant dent in the highly competitive wearables sector. More specifically, Band 2 has been widely criticized for what critics described as a mediocre design and inconsistent health data.

By no means will Microsoft stop making wearables in the future, however. In a statement to ZDNet, the company said it will continue to pump cash into the Microsoft Health platform, which the company will keep open to all partners across Windows, iOS, and Android devices. That means the company remains keen on exploring the health app space.

Microsoft didn’t say exactly how it will continue to push its health service to consumers now that the Band is dead. Our wild guess is that Microsoft could be planning to create a wearable that it will launch alongside a Surface Phone. Who knows?