No Apple Smart Ring? Why Apple isn’t jumping on the bandwagon › Macerkopf

The idea of ​​an intelligent ring has attracted attention again, not least thanks to Samsung’s Galaxy Ring. Companies like Oura have long had success with health rings that measure heart rate, track sleep and even keep an eye on body temperature. With all the hype, some people may be wondering: When will Apple come with its smart ring? Well, according to a new report from Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman, Apple has no plans to throw its hat into the smart ring ring, and for good reason.

Why not an Apple Ring?

Let’s get straight to the point: Apple has explored the idea of ​​a smart ring, but is not actively developing it. As cool as it may sound to wear an elegant Apple-designed ring on your finger, there is a solid business reason for this decision. The thing is, Apple is already putting all the magic of health monitoring into its Apple Watch. Introducing a ring with similar features would likely compete with or even cannibalize sales of the Apple Watch.

A smart ring would be a more compact (and cheaper) device with overlapping features like heart rate and sleep monitoring. Why would Apple risk undercutting its own flagship?

Apple’s team thought about it – but those responsible weren’t convinced

Back in February, Gurman mentioned that Apple’s industrial design team had floated the idea of ​​a smart ring, possibly as a budget-friendly alternative to the Apple Watch. But Apple executives didn’t bite. Active development never occurred, and the company appears to have abandoned the idea – at least for now.

Although rumors surfaced earlier this year, fueled by speculation from Korean website Electronic Times, these rumors appear to be more smoke than fire. The hype may have been fueled by Samsung’s announcement of the Galaxy Ring, a device that works exclusively with Galaxy smartphones and tracks movement, sleep, heart rate and more. But as we already know, Samsung’s leap into a new technology area doesn’t mean Apple will follow suit.

What’s with all the Apple patents?

If you keep an eye on Apple rumors, you’ve probably heard about the company’s patents for ring-like devices. These patents were the trigger for the rumor about the “iRing”. But patents don’t always mean a product is in development. Apple files patents for all sorts of futuristic, sometimes bizarre technical ideas that never make it out of the development lab. Even though a smart ring from Apple has surfaced in the form of a patent, that doesn’t mean we’ll ever see it.

Instead, a cheaper Apple Watch

Although Apple is often at the forefront of technology trends, it is not afraid to sit out certain trends. The clever ring may be on the rise in the wearables market, but that doesn’t mean the technology is mature. Right now, Apple is focused on its wrist flagship — and honestly, the Apple Watch shows no signs of slowing down.

Instead of releasing a smart ring, Apple could think about making the Apple Watch more accessible to a wider audience. Gurman suggests that Apple could lower the price of its entry-level model, the Apple Watch SE, with a next-generation version expected in 2025. There are rumors of a plastic case, which could reduce production costs and make the watch a more advanced option for people looking for a budget wearable.

Could there still be an Apple Smart Ring in the future? It’s not impossible. CCS Insight recently told CNBC that Apple could launch a “connected ring” by 2026 to compete with Samsung. For now, however, Apple seems to be focused on perfecting the Apple Watch and making it a staple in the wearables market.