Microsoft Health arrives to take on Google Fit and Apple Health

As well as unleashing the potentially game-changing Microsoft Band onto the wearable world, the Redmond based tech giant also unveiled its Google Fit and Apple Health rival - Microsoft Health.

As described by the company itself: "Microsoft Health is a new service that helps you live healthier by providing actionable insights based on data gathered from the fitness devices and apps that you use every day. It's designed to work for you, no matter what phone you have, device you wear, or services you use. Microsoft Health makes tracking personal fitness easier, more insightful, and more holistic."

Essential guide: How to use Apple Health

Along the same lines as the efforts we've seen from Mountain View and Cupertino, Microsoft Health will attempt to be a one stop shop for all your health and fitness data; drawing in information from not only the new Microsoft Band, but from third-party hardware and apps.

Essential reading: Google Fit v Apple Health

Partners such as RunKeeper, MapMyFitness, Jawbone and MyFitnessPal are already on board with Microsoft Health and the company is actively seeking further collaborations.

Microsoft Health is cloud based and, as such, there are claims that the service will continuously improve over time as the community and data banks grow.

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Microsoft HealthVault, launched back in 2007, is also tied into the new platform. "Over the past decade, Microsoft HealthVault has established itself as a trusted place to store health information and share it with medical professionals on a security-enhanced platform," reads a Microsoft statement.

"HealthVault will continue to do just that. Because we share core principals, HealthVault features prominently in our broad vision for Microsoft Health."

Essential reading: Microsoft Band ultimate guide

Microsoft Health works with Android, iOS and Windows Phone. The apps are available to download now and are free.