Microsoft halts Band fitness tracker sales, likely won't see a new one this year

The Microsoft Band fitness trackers may not have much time left on this world. Every trace of the wearables has been scrubbed from Microsoft's online store.

An anonymous tipster speaking with ZDNet's Mary Jo Foley revealed a cached Microsoft Store page from October 2 that showed Band devices but today, all references to the Band devices are gone. However, Microsoft still sells fitness trackers from competitors like Fitbit and Misfit.

Fitbit Charge 2

This isn't the first time we've heard that Microsoft may be discontinuing its Band fitness trackers. About two weeks ago, Foley revealed that Microsoft had no plans to release a new Band 3 wearable this year. Even more damning, Microsoft allegedly disbanded the team of Band engineers and put them on other hardware projects.

The final nail in the coffin might be Microsoft's removal of the Band software development kit (SKD), which third-party developers could use to develop apps for the fitness tracker. The website simply says, "The Microsoft Band SDK is no longer available" without explanation.

Hope for software

Although multiple sources speaking to Foley claim Microsoft is phasing out its fitness band, company officials haven't yet admitted that the Band line of devices is dead.

"We have sold through our existing Band 2 inventory and have no plans to release another Band device this year," reads a statement sent to Foley from a Microsoft spokesperson. "We remain committed to supporting our Microsoft Band 2 customers through Microsoft Stores and our customer support channels and will continue to invest in the Microsoft Health platform, which is open to all hardware and apps partners across Windows, iOS, and Android devices."

While Microsoft may stop making fitness trackers, it may still continue developing health software. Microsoft recently rebranded its "Health" apps to "Microsoft Band," which may pave the way for new health apps that would work with third-party fitness trackers like Fitbit and perhaps even the Apple Watch.

Apple isn't the only technology company heavily investing in health software. Apple is rumored to be using its HealthKit and CareKit software to interpret data and offer advice.