Move over Apple Watch, the Apple Ring might soon be taking over.
Rumors have been spreading over the past months that the Cupertino tech giant is joining the smart ring market with its very own Apple Ring, or what some call the iRing. The reports come as Apple's rival Samsung released its Galaxy Ring in July and the RingConn Smart Ring prepares to start shipping its Kickstarter-funded device this month.
While nothing has been confirmed yet, a Bloomberg report from February noted that the company has "explored" the idea of developing a fitness ring, among other wearable devices.
The Tim Cook-led corporation has been enhancing its fitness and health offerings over the years, so the idea of a smart health ring isn’t farfetched.
In fact, the latest Apple Watch 10 offers better health insights, while its watchOS 11 features more vital metrics and personalized support for the pregnant.
CCS Insight also predicts a possible Apple Ring release date set for 2026.
Ben Wood, CCS Insight chief analyst, believes a smart ring is a “very complimentary extension to Apple.”
“I think a beautifully designed ring from Apple could be one of those things that’s almost a sort of status symbol,” Wood told CNBC’s “Beyond the Valley” podcast.
So, what can consumers expect from the rumored Apple Ring?
Much like the Apple Watch, the device could track basic health metrics like heart rate, sleep, activity, temperature, and respiratory rate.
Interestingly, a patent granted to Apple earlier this year pointed to a "finger-mounted device with sensors and haptics" that can be used to gather input for an AR/ VR device, much like its Apple Vision Pro.
Tech Radar predicts that if an Apple iRing were to ever be released, expect it to be priced at least $399.
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