Unfortunately, as noted in Engadget’s coverage of the update, this new feature only appears to function in the U.S. It’s also required to have Cortana installed on your Android smartphone before she’ll be able to take commands from the Band. The Microsoft Band 2 works with Android, iOS and Windows 10 Mobile powered smartphones, and the update will be found in the appropriate version of the Microsoft Health app. Users can now command Cortana through the mic on the Microsoft Band 2 device, and the phone will perform the action. You also need to be in the USA, as it’s only available there for now. Among the few minor requirements users must be in the USA and Cortana for Android needs to be installed on the connected phone.
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Removing the app and waiting until a fix is provided is probably the most effective solution, but it’s clearly very frustrating for Android customers who want to use their Bands with a phone. They include activities such as steps, runs, bike rides, and cardio score. Use Cortana to get notifications for messages and calendar events just by speaking into your smart band’s microphone.
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Cortana first arrived on Android as a public beta in August a year ago. After download, they need to Install the app and make sure that the app notification services are on. Nearly everything that the Band 2 can accomplish has been supported with Android, including a number of features such as the on-screen keyboard that aren’t supported on the iPhone. You need to use the Microsoft Health app for Android to sync the two devices. For example, Microsoft Band 2 owners can ask Cortana to check the latest weather condition in a specific area. This way, the device is now switched on by default.
