Apple might be working on a smart ring. Really, what?
What's the story
Apple has come a long way since it released its first-ever wearable, the Apple Watch. Over the last couple of years, the company has immensely improved on hardware and software, making its smartwatch one of the best in the market. But the tech giant has bigger aspirations. A new patent reveals that Apple might be working on a new smart ring for your fingers.
Information
The patent was filed in 2012
Apple has been awarded a new patent by the USPTO earlier this week on October 15. The patent is titled "Devices, methods, and user interfaces for a wearable electronic ring computing device" and it was originally filed in April 2012.
Key details
Everything we know about the patent
The patent details an external electronic device with a finger-ring-mounted touchscreen that houses a processor, wireless transceiver, rechargeable power source, a microphone. The processor will be connected to a wireless transceiver which will be configured "to communicate with at least one external electronic device" wherein a "first predefined hand gesture performed" using the ring causes an action to be performed on the external device.
Accessory
The ring will help you control other devices
The smart ring will be like an accessory to your iPhone or iPad that will pair with your device and let you perform basic tasks using a voice command, finger tap, or a hand gesture. It could also offer haptic feedback, a dial control and a motion sensor for twisting gestures. It could also let you make phone calls, check notifications, and more.
New segment
Smart rings are no more a concept idea
In the wearable category, a smart ring is no more a concept. In fact, Amazon is already selling over 1,000 devices in this segment. Some of the features that are available in present-day devices and could make it to Apple's smart ring include fitness tracking, monitoring body vitals (like temperature, heart rate, and SpO2), payments (via NFC chips), one-touch SOS service, and so on.