A couple of patents published earlier this week indicate that Microsoft Band might have a future after all. Both patents are to do with health and fitness monitoring on a device that looks very much like the discontinued tracker.
Microsoft has launched a new policy that means its tech customers will keep hold of any patent rights that come out of its partnerships. In a blog post, Microsoft president Brad Smith explained that the Shared Innovation Initiative is designed to reassure customers that the company won’t use the knowledge gleaned from joint ventures to “enter their customer’s market and compete against them.”
After Microsoft seemingly abandoned its Windows Phone endeavors, and then sold off Nokia's feature phone division and rights; fans of the company's mobile - and Lumia brand - have wandered around aimlessly hoping for some good news. Several leaks have appeared since October of last year pointing to a complete refresh, codenamed 'Andromeda'. As reported, this forms some part of the company's aim to target the mobile market with a single core OS.
