There has been more talk than usual about smart rings this year. Samsung, a brand whose products always cause hype, launched its first device in the segment. Perhaps Apple fans are hoping for a similar product in the near future in response. However, recent reports suggest that Apple has abandoned any idea of developing a smart ring.
There are people who, for one reason or another, do not like smartwatches or smartbands. For those cases, smart rings are excellent alternative devices. These wearables can monitor your health and physical activity, in addition to notifying you about incoming messages or calls, in a lightweight, comfortable, and convenient form factor. Of course, you will sacrifice some advanced features due to the small size and lack of a screen. However, non-smartwatch users should already know this.
Apple may have abandoned the idea of a smart ring to focus on the Apple Watch series
According to Mark Gurman of Bloomberg, the potential capacity of smart rings to replace key functionality of smartwatches led Apple to cancel the project. The Cupertino giant would have decided to focus its efforts on Apple Watch devices. After all, a smart ring may not be that profitable for the company due to its potentially lower selling price than Apple Watches.
Plus, the smart ring segment is still a bit niche, so Apple still wouldn’t be sure there’s enough demand to make it worth participating. Still, it’s possible that Samsung’s entry will help liven things up a bit more.
Rumors about a possible Apple smart ring emerged at the beginning of the year, as soon as Samsung confirmed the development of its own. There was speculation that the wearable would allow users to control other Apple devices in one way or another. The company had even explicitly patented the idea. However, it appears that the company has discarded all such ideas.
The Smart ring segment is still niche, but things could change
Gurman claims the Apple Watch series will still feature Apple’s core health and fitness tracking wearables. It remains to be seen whether a potential boom in the segment will make Apple reconsider its decision. Sales of the first Galaxy Ring exceeded Samsung’s initial expectations. Also, recently, new competitive devices like the Oura Ring 4 arrived. Samsung and other brands could have an advantage over the empty space Apple leaves in the niche.
