Apple, a leader in the wearables market with products like the Apple Watch and AirPods, notably lacks a smart ring in its lineup. While the concept was introduced years ago, it remained relatively dormant as Apple focused on other projects. However, a recent report from Korea suggests that Apple is now accelerating the development of its smart ring, designed to be worn on the finger for tracking health biometrics.
The idea of an Apple Ring has been circulating for nearly a decade, with several patent reports indicating Apple’s exploration of smart ring technology. As far back as October 2015, there were discussions about Apple’s interest in developing such devices.
With Samsung poised to enter the smart ring market with the Galaxy Ring, it’s high time for Apple to materialize its long-discussed plan. Apple’s approach to innovation has always been unique, often taking more time than competitors but delivering the best implementation.
According to a report from the Electronic Times, Apple has been monitoring the market closely to gauge the potential popularity of a smart ring as an alternative to a smartwatch. The appeal lies in its extended wearability and comfort, particularly for sleep tracking. With ample data accumulated, now seems to be the opportune moment for Apple to make its move into this segment.
Apple has consistently shown interest in expanding its wearables lineup, evident from its numerous patent applications related to NFC-enabled finger-worn devices. It appears that the time has finally come for the Apple Ring to take center stage.
Rumors about the Apple Ring have resurfaced following Samsung’s announcement of its Galaxy Ring, set to debut in the second half of 2024. The timing coincides with Samsung’s second Galaxy Unpacked event of 2024, scheduled for late July, where the South Korean company teased its first smart ring during the Galaxy S24 launch in January.
The Galaxy Ring is rumored to boast various health features, including blood flow measurement, sleep tracking, and ECG monitoring. Additionally, users may be able to control other devices and make wireless payments remotely with the smart ring. Multiple size options are expected to be available to ensure a comfortable fit for users.
While smart rings have been in existence for some time, the category is currently dominated by the Oura Ring, which debuted in 2015. Resembling discrete jewelry, the Oura Ring incorporates sensors akin to those found in smartwatches. It gathers daily activity, sleep, heart rate, and respiratory rate data, transmitting it via Bluetooth to the Oura app.
The third-generation Oura Ring now includes features to measure body temperature and track the menstrual cycle, alongside a commendable battery life lasting up to a week on a single charge.
As of March 2022, Oura announced the sale of one million rings. However, the company has received significant backlash for introducing a $5.99 monthly subscription fee, which restricts access to the holistic view behind a paywall.
Returning to the topic of the Apple Ring, it will be intriguing to see how Apple engages users, especially as Samsung prepares to take the lead in late 2024. Do you believe the Apple Ring could emerge as an alternative to the Apple Watch, or will it be positioned as an optional wearable? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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