by Tim Hardwick
Apple is speeding up development of a smart ring that can be worn on the finger to track users’ health biometrics, claims a new report coming out of Korea.
Teaser image of Samsung Galaxy Ring shown at Galaxy Unpacked in January
Apple has toyed with the idea of a ring wearable for several years, as indicated by several patents, but with Samsung preparing to bring its own product to market, the time could be ripe for Apple to follow it with something that embodies CEO Tim Cook‘s mantra, “be best, not first.”
According to the Electronic Times, Apple has been paying close attention to the market for signs that a smart ring would be a popular, less intrusive alternative to a watch, that can be worn for longer and is easier to sleep with.
Apple is said to be seriously weighing up the idea as a viable expansion of its wearables lineup, and has been increasingly applying for patents related to an NFC-enabled finger-worn device as it coordinates the timing of the release.
“It seems likely that commercialization is imminent,” said an industry insider quoted in the machine-translated report.
The rumor comes as Samsung prepares to unveil a Galaxy Ring at its second Galaxy Unpacked 2024 event, which is likely to take place in the second half of July. The Korean firm teased the product’s existence at the end of its first Unpacked event in January, and it is now expected to enter mass production in the second half of the year.
Besides its rumored ability to measure blood flow, the Galaxy Ring is also expected to feature ECG monitoring, sleep tracking, and functionalities for controlling other devices and making wireless payments remotely. The device is expected to come in several sizes.
The emerging smart ring category is currently led by Oura Ring, first released by Finnish health technology company Oura back in 2015. The device collects activity, heart rate, respiratory rate, and sleep data, and transmits it via Bluetooth to the Oura app. Now in its third-generation, the device can also measure body temperature and menstrual cycle, and the battery is said to last for a week on a single charge.
In March 2022, Oura announced that it had sold more than one million rings, but its latest incarnation has come in for criticism after the company introduced a $5.99 monthly subscription fee that put certain aspects of user data behind a paywall.
Would you be interested in an “Apple Ring” as an alternative to Apple Watch? Let us know in the comments.
Popular Stories
Apple Said iPhone Driver’s Licenses Will Expand to These 8 U.S. States
In 2021, Apple introduced a feature that lets residents of participating U.S. states add their driver’s license or ID to the Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, providing a convenient and contactless way to display proof of identity or age. Unfortunately, states have been slow to adopt the feature since it was first announced in September 2021, with IDs in the Wallet app only available …
New Macs and iPads Coming Soon: What to Expect
Following the launch of Apple’s Vision Pro headset, attention has shifted towards what is next on the company’s agenda this year. As usual, March should be eventful for Apple, as it is expected to release new MacBook Air, iPad Pro, and iPad Air models during the month. In a recent press release, Apple also confirmed that iOS 17.4 will be released in March. Below, we recap what to expect…
iOS 17.3 Added New Feature That Every iPhone User Should Know About
Apple’s recent iOS 17.3 software update includes an important new feature that all iPhone users should know about: Stolen Device Protection. The Wall Street Journal last year reported about thieves spying on an iPhone user’s passcode before stealing the device, often in public places like bars. With knowledge of the passcode, the thief can then change the victim’s Apple ID password, turn off …
5 Major New Features Rumored for This Year’s Apple Watch
Sunday February 18, 2024 3:00 am PST by Tim Hardwick
Thinking about upgrading your Apple Watch or buying one for the first time? If your current smartwatch is doing its job just fine and it’s only the idea of a good deal that’s piqued your interest, it could be worth holding out until later this year when Apple unveils its next-generation version. Here’s why. There are already several rumors from reputable sources that suggest 2024 could be a…
iOS 17.4 Will Add These New Features to Your iPhone
Apple last month confirmed that iOS 17.4 will be released in March, and the update includes several new features and changes for the iPhone. Key new features in iOS 17.4 include major App Store changes in the EU and Apple Podcasts transcripts. The update also adds new emoji and includes preparations for the launch of next-generation CarPlay later this year. More details about the new…
