Forget the Apple watch? Rumored smart ring promises features way beyond fitness

Apple might be getting ready to change the wearables game yet again, but this time with a ring instead of a watch. Newly discovered patents show that the tech giant has been quietly working on a smart ring for years. The filings suggest that the features go far beyond just tracking health, such as gesture and voice controls.


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What sets the Apple Ring apart from other wearable devices?

People have been talking a lot about the idea of a foldable iPhone, but Apple has been quietly working on something else: a smart ring. Recent discoveries of patents point to an "Apple Ring" that does more than just track fitness. The filings say that the device could be small and discreet while still having health features, gesture recognition, and voice commands.

The first patent, called Ring Device, describes health-related uses like keeping track of when you take your medicine and using biometric data.

The patent reads that an Apple Ring "may include near-field communications circuitry for emulating near-field communications tags based on biometric data and/or for logging health-related actions such as medicine intake,” as per a report by Tom’s Guide.

Apple's vision goes beyond just health, though. Technical drawings show how the ring could let you control smart home devices, like TVs and lamps, with simple hand gestures, as per a report by Tom’s Guide.


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How might gesture controls change how we use devices?

Gesture-based interaction is one of the most interesting ideas. People who wear the ring may be able to turn down lights, change TV channels, or even control their smartphone with just a hand movement. The filings also say that the device has a built-in microphone that can pick up voice input and sounds around it. That means Siri could become even more important to how the Apple Ring works in real life.

The Apple Watch already has a feature that lets it detect noise, and adding that to a ring could make the device work even better across platforms. The ring could, in theory, be a discreet hub for both communication and control.

Is it really possible for it to compete with the Apple Watch?

The second patent is about how the ring works and says it has "variable rotational resistance." This would let some parts of the band move and work as a controller. Apple says that these rings could be used as secret communication devices that work with watches, headphones, and health monitors without wires.

The patent also hints at haptic feedback, small vibrations that alert the wearer to texts or notifications. People who don't like a lot of distractions may like this subtle way of getting updates better than a smartwatch screen.

Apple hasn't said when the smart ring will come out, but these patents show how the company might market it as more than just a health tracker. It could be a serious competitor to the Apple Watch in the wearable market if it has gesture control, voice integration, and support for other devices.

FAQs

What is the rumored smart ring from Apple supposed to do?
It could keep track of health, respond to gestures, let you control things with your voice, and control smart home devices.

What are some ways the Apple Ring might be different from the Apple Watch?
The ring might have gesture controls, a band that rotates around the outside, and vibrations that let you know when something happens.