Even as Apple is rolling out its Apple Watch, Microsoft has announced updates to its own wearable fitness tracker, Microsoft Band, including a new cycling app and features that provide better health insights.

Microsoft's Band smartwatch has been an unexpected hit, with the product always remaining out of stock in Microsoft Stores and available only for consumers enrolled in its waiting list. In order to take on the Apple Watch, the Redmond company had recently ramped up production and distribution of its Band smartwatch, which is also being sold at retailers Best Buy (BBY), Amazon.com (AMZN) and Target (TGT), and has been made available in the United Kingdom as well.

Microsoft has now announced a software update for its Microsoft Band fitness tracker, including integration with third-party cycling apps and new ways to analyze fitness data in the Microsoft Health online dashboard. Microsoft Band fitness tracker now integrates two popular cycling apps, MapMyRide and Strava, which will allow cyclists to connect their bands for comparing their rides and sharing routes with others who are using the third-party apps.

The Microsoft Band already has various sensors to monitor fitness activity, such as optical heart rate sensor, accelerometer and gyroscope, gyrometer, GPS, ambient light sensor, skin temperature sensor, UV sensor, capacitive sensor, galvanic skin response monitor and microphone. Microsoft has now updated the Microsoft Health Web Dashboard with new features that will allow users to compare their exercise stats with others of similar height and weight. Microsoft Band wearers will also be able to access additional data related to sleep recovery, fitness progress, oxygen volume used during exercise, and detailed historical stats for advanced analysis of run and workout data over time.

Currently, the Microsoft Band is compatible with all operating systems and works with iOS 7.1, iOS 8, Windows Phones 8.1 and Android 4.3-4.4 devices through Bluetooth, but the Microsoft Health apps works solely in conjunction with the Microsoft Band to collect data. The company has said that it will now expand the reach of Microsoft Health smartphone apps by connecting them to sensors in Android Phones, iPhones and Windows Phones for tracking activity among people who do not own its wearable device or any other fitness tracker.