Apple hints at smart ring plans with its unsubtle Apple Watch survey
Do you wear another wearable alongside an Apple Watch?
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We’re just four days away fromApple’s September 9, 2024, special event titled “It’s Glowtime.”And while we’re expectingnew iPhones,AirPods, andApple Watches, as you might expect, the technology giant is likely hard at work on future gadgets.
Recently,Applehas been sending a survey to selectApple Watchusers, asking for feedback on the smartwatch itself, various features, including battery life, and, most interestingly, whether they use a smart ring,according to AppleInsider, which viewed some of the questions.
While that’s far from concrete evidence, it’s clear that Apple is at least considering exploring a smart ring, something that’s beenrumored time and time againwith more frequency. Specifically,smart ringsappeared when folks were asked if they used other wearables.
Apple is likely using the results as market research to determine what other form factors may interest them. Asking folks with an Apple Watch about a smart ring is not entirely out of the blue, either.Apple has been filing patents related to smart rings for several years, and it’s been rumored that the technology giant will eventually enter the category.
Of course, as it does with any future products, Apple works in secret. An Apple smart ring does make sense, though, as it can provide a similar feature set to theApple Watchbut double down on health and activity tracking while also providing it in a build that might be more suitable for some customers.
I wear an Apple Watch Ultra basically 24/7 or any other myriad smartwatch I might be testing, but plenty of folks don’t want to sleep with a gadget strapped to their wrist. A smart ring fixes that and can also solve the battery life problem, which Apple asked users about in this survey, specifically if they use a fast charger.
That comes in the box with theApple Watch Series 9andUltra 2, allowing you to refuel the smartwatch quickly, but considering an Apple Ring may not have a screen, it could stretch to multiple days without needing a recharge. Look at theOura RingorGalaxy Ring; both offer multi-day battery life.
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An Apple Ring could also help you disconnect and avoid giving yourself access to yet another device with a screen. ConsideringSamsung’s Galaxy Ringoffers a finger gesture, Apple could expand the Series 9 and Ultra 2’s – and Vision Pro’s – Double Tap functionality to a smart ring, allowing you to control another device with it.
Of course, nothing’s official until Apple makes it official, and it’s likely that an Apple-branded smart ring is still a way out. After all, we’re not expecting it in a few days at the next Apple event, but it’s clear that smart rings are at least on the radar for the brand.
And as someone keen to see Apple enter the category, I’ll take this as a hint of sorts.
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Jacob Krol is the US Managing Editor, News for TechRadar. He’s been writing about technology since he was 14 when he started his own tech blog. Since then Jacob has worked for a plethora of publications including CNN Underscored, TheStreet, Parade, Men’s Journal, Mashable, CNET, and CNBC among others.
He specializes in covering companies like Apple, Samsung, and Google and going hands-on with mobile devices, smart home gadgets, TVs, and wearables. In his spare time, you can find Jacob listening to Bruce Springsteen, building a Lego set, or binge-watching the latest from Disney, Marvel, or Star Wars.
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