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(Image credit: Midjourney AI) |
The Apple Watch may not be the company's lone health tracker for long, as the finest smart rings are beginning to gain traction. It has been rumored that the business is working on a smart ring to compete with the Samsung Galaxy Ring and the recently released Oura Ring 4.
Although it's difficult to envision this kind of gadget being dubbed anything other than "Apple Ring," it's not difficult to envision what it will be able to accomplish. Given Apple's extensive history in the health sector, a smart ring would provide a different form factor for functions like tracking fitness and sleep.
With plans for Apple Car already in place and the release of Apple Vision Pro only a month ago, speculation over the company's upcoming new product category is picking up steam. While Apple has other options, a smart ring seems like a logical next step after the success of the Apple Watch. Although the Apple Watch Series 10 is an excellent fitness tracker, some people would like a more covert gadget.
This is all the information we currently have about a possible Apple smart ring.
Apple Ring: Expected Release Date and Updates
As to a Bloomberg report, the Apple Ring is only a concept and is not now undergoing development. It would be premature to discuss a potential release date for the Apple Ring, even though it appears that some Apple employees are endorsing the idea.
People would be urged to have a "cheap way to gather important health data without having to wear a full-fledged watch." I wholeheartedly concur, having used a smart ring instead of a smartwatch to track my sleep.
Apple Watch customers recently received a survey in which the company hinted at the potential release of a smart ring. But rather than representing any meaningful level of development, this seems more like market research, supporting the rumor that the Apple Ring is still only in the conceptual stage of development.
Apple Ring: Rumored Design and Features
The design of this fictitious Apple Ring would be... well, ring-like. We have a good understanding of the covert nature of smart rings, having used the Oura Ring Gen 3, Samsung Galaxy Ring, and Amazfit Helio Ring.
Because there are several sensors along the inside of them, they appear somewhat thicker than a typical ring, but at first glance, they appear to be simply another piece of jewelry. To maintain the jewelry-like appearance, smart rings are available in a variety of hues and metal finishes.
Since a smart ring doesn't replace a standard watch, more individuals opt to use it as their fitness-tracking wearable than to wear a smartwatch and smart ring together. Additionally, it is more pleasant to wear overnight than a wristwatch for tracking sleep.
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The Samsung Galaxy Ring comes in 9 sizes, from 5 through 13. (Image credit: Tom's Guide) |
Nevertheless, size is essential to a smart ring's fit and functionality. Too small, and it’s not comfortable to wear 24/7. If it's too large, the sensors won't be able to detect your blood oxygen level, skin temperature, or heart rate accurately. Smart rings are not like the Apple Watch, which only comes in two sizes; instead, they must be available in several sizes and typically require a fitting procedure.
Apple Ring: Top Rumored Features
In the event that an Apple Ring were to be released, it would probably be positioned as a screen-free substitute for the Apple Watch. Alternatively, as an adjunct device for the Apple Vision Pro.
As an alternative to the Apple Watch, customers could still count their steps, check how well they slept, get cycle insights via temperature sensing and experience many other benefits of Apple Health without needing to wear a smartwatch. With applications like Apple Fitness Plus, it can provide a new method for you to end your Apple Watch's ring.
That's not all, though. According to a patent discovered by Apple Insider, the Apple Ring may function as a kind of sensor to improve hand identification in Vision Pro. The addition of haptic feedback to a headset might further improve the experience. It may also function as a joystick for virtual reality games, depending on how it's made. While hand-tracking is presently used by the headset, it seems that having a companion ring will improve overall accuracy and responsiveness. In low light, when hands are difficult for the headset's cameras to view, it could also be helpful.
According to a different April 2023 patent, "Skin-to-skin contact detection," the Apple Ring would react to gesture commands, such as tapping two fingers together.
Although there isn't much information available, we may assume that the Apple Ring will have a longer battery life than the Apple Watch. For comparison, most smart rings require multiple charges every few days, and some can last up to a week.
Apple Ring: Future Outlook and Predictions
Apple might appeal to Apple Watch aficionados by offering a wearable fitness monitoring option in the form of a smart ring. It would provide a fresh approach to interact with all Apple Health has to offer and blend in nicely with the company's current product offerings.
However, cost would be a significant consideration. The Apple Watch SE is available for as little as $249. We estimate that the price of the Apple Ring will fall between this and the $499 starting price of the premium Apple Watch Series 9.
We'd probably hear more reports about the Apple Ring if Apple moved on from the idea stage to real development. You may bookmark this page to receive the most recent information on Apple Rings while you wait.