According to information from the Korean site ETNews, Apple is actively working on its first connected ring, the Apple Ring, with an “imminent” launch.
The Ultrahuman Ring Air connected ring for illustration // Source: Chloé Pertuis – Aroged
In recent months, all eyes in tech seem to be focused on connected rings. It must be said that after a period during which these health rings remained the prerogative of a few specialized start-ups, such as Oura, Circular or Ultrahuman, the sector is now invested by manufacturers of a completely different scale.
Over the past two months, Amazfit and Samsung have announced their own connected rings, the Helio Ring and the Galaxy Ring. The rest of the industry would not be left behind and, according to information from the Korean site ETNews, even Apple would be about to launch its first connected ring, for the moment known under the name Apple Ring.
In an article published this Tuesday, the Korean site takes stock of Samsung and Apple's projects on connected rings, a market which could go from 20 million dollars in turnover in 2023 to 197 million dollars in 'by 2031. Obviously, such growth arouses the interest of different brands and, if Samsung has already advanced its pawns, Apple could do the same soon.
Apple multiplies patents around connected rings
“Samsung and Apple, which are using the connected health market as a growth vehicle, are closely monitoring smart rings as devices that can improve health and well-being through precise measurements,” says ETNews. The Korean site indicates in particular that Apple has increased the number of patents obtained in this area in recent months, in order to protect its possible future connected ring:
Apple is also accelerating the development of its Apple Ring by registering patents related to connected rings one after the other. In November 2023, a patent for an electronic system applied to connected rings was filed with the US Patent Office. It is a technology that can be linked to other devices by installing a short-range communication circuit. It could be used to control smartphones and tablets.
Furthermore, an industrial source interviewed by ETNews reports that Apple has continued to multiply patents in order to protect its innovations linked to connected rings. According to this source, “advanced development for commercialization seems imminent”.
Let us remember, however, that the indications suggesting a short-term marketing of an Apple connected ring are quite slim. Manufacturers are used to filing patents to protect their technologies. This does not always mean that products will actually be launched in the short or medium term.