As the smart ring space becomes more competitive, Apple is giving wearable technology a shot. We have some information on what the brand’s version of this wearable technology might look and work like.
On Tuesday, the company secured a patent for a smart ring device of its own that would include more information about the product’s compatibility with the device and health tracking capabilities. According to the filing, the smart ring would be able to monitor health data, which would not be an uncommon use case for a device like this.
Also: The best smart rings you can buy
Specifically, the filing reveals that the ring could include heart rate and blood oxygen sensors, two commonly used health tracking components. Other smart ring brands, such as Samsung, Ourand UltrahumanMonitors information like body temperature, heart rate and heart rate variability, blood oxygen levels, sleep and more to provide insights into your activity and energy levels.
However, the presentation also included an unusual use case: the ability to control other Apple devices, including but not limited to a headset like the Apple Vision Pro. According to the presentation, a user could use the smart ring to adjust speaker settings, provide haptic, gesture, or force feedback on a display, or adjust haptic output on another Apple device.
Also: I tried the Samsung Galaxy Ring and it’s smarter than my Apple Watch in a big way
We have seen Samsung The smart ring debuts with a similar integration to what Apple’s patent includes. On the Samsung Galaxy Ring, users can take photos with their phone using a pinch gesture. A previous patent filing implied that Apple’s ring would also include a Skin to skin contact functionwhich imitates that of Samsung.
Judging by the patent filings, it appears that if the smart ring is developed, it would have heavy integration with other Apple devices, specifically the Apple Vision Pro. A previous patent suggested that the ring would function as a hand-detection sensor within the Vision Pro.
Whether these ideas presented in the patent will become reality is another story entirely. Apple is not “actively developing” the device, although some Apple employees are pushing the concept, according to a press release. Bloomberg Report.
Also: Apple Vision Pro can now be controlled by the mind thanks to BCI integration
Overall, the patent filing confirms that the smart ring space is booming. Samsung’s recent debut with its first Galaxy Ring was wildly popular, and major smart ring brands like Oura seem to be developing new features and updates every week.
Apple isn’t known for being the first to enter an emerging product market like smart rings. Instead, the tech giant usually waits to measure itself against the competition and introduces a first-generation product of its own without the usual flaws and setbacks of a new technology product.
We’ll be keeping an eye on future patent filings to see if Apple ventures into the smart ring space. Until then, don’t expect a smart ring to be announced at Apple’s September event.