APPLE could follow Samsung’s suit and make a new wearable gadget, according to reports.
The health tracking device has been previously patented by the tech giant – but new reports claim it could be in the making now.
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Apple might be developing a smart ring that users can wear on their finger to monitor their health and fitness metrics.
The US-based company has filed for a patent for “a wearable electronic ring” back in 2019, and little has been known about it since.
But a new report by the Korean media outlet ET news suggested that Apple might be developing the ring for release in a near future.
According to an industry insider, Apple’s plans for commercialization of the product seem to be “imminent”.
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And it comes not long after Samsung has teased the Galaxy ring at its latest launch event in the US.
The Ring doesn’t have a release date or price and appears to be targeted at people who want less intrusive wearable tech.
The AI-powered Samsung health experience will be able to track sleeping patterns, blood oxygen changes, and heart-rates during sleep.
Samsung executive Hon Pak said during a recent interview: “The ring represents that community of people who want health tracking that is more comfortable and less obtrusive.
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“It’s meeting a need of a specific population of people who want to track and measure, but in a different way.”
Apple has also been consistently releasing smart-ring related patents for the past several years.
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Apple’s patent is titled “Devices, methods, and user interfaces for a wearable electronic ring computing device.”
It includes drawings of the potential design and lists intended features like a rechargeable power source and a wireless transceiver.
The design for the finger ring includes a touchscreen, voice command, hand gesture control and more.
The ring is designed to be worn on one finger and doesn’t appear to be a standalone product.
Instead it aims to improve the user experience of bigger devices like iPhone and iPad.
The ring device could be used to control your other devices without touching them – especially in a dangerous situation to get help.
But the two rivalling tech giants aren’t the first to dive into the developing of smart rings.
Oura rings have laid out the groundwork in the market when they first introduced the gadget in 2016.
The Oura Ring has research-grade sensors that track heart rate, heart rate variability (HRV), personalised temperature, activity, stress and sleep monitoring technology.
But the device can be pricey and requires a monthly membership alongside the ring.
Although the compact nature of smart rings is appealing, they have less to offer than smart watches for a higher price tag.
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They often come without a screen and GPS, and rely on an app on your mobile phone which makes their functionality debatable.
But with Samsung and Apple joining the market, it could soon change.
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