This week at CES 2016, Microsoft and Volvo entered into a partnership that will let you do things with the Microsoft Band 2 fitness band you’ve never imagined. According to a reliable source, the Microsoft-Volvo partnership will let consumers use their Microsoft Band 2 “to start their car, initiate GPS, and turn on the heat…trigger the car’s horn, lock the doors, and flash the lights,” making the fitness band far more useful than just tracking your fitness data.
Of course, keep in mind that you’ll have to buy a Microsoft Band 2 ($249.99 at Best Buy currently) and a Volvo to activate these car interactions, but it’s all part of creating a world where fitness bands and fitness trackers become more useful than just for health and fitness purposes. We can see why this has appeal, but we really wish that fitness bands would become more fun in and of themselves. What consumers really want are more useful features on the wrist that make smart fitness bands fun no matter the activity.