Apple may be working on a smart ring, project under development for almost 2 decades

For nearly two decades, whispers about the Apple Ring have occasionally surfaced, stirring curiosity and speculation. Apple’s wearables currently include the Apple Watch, a dominant player in the smartwatch market. However, some consumers prefer alternatives to traditional watches, which has led to the idea of a smart ring.

The concept of a smart ring isn’t unique to Apple. The Oura ring, for example, has been offering biological monitoring through a finger-worn device for several years.

Samsung, a key competitor, is also developing its own version, the Galaxy Ring, expected to launch in late 2024. This impending competition could spur Apple to expedite its smart ring project.

One of the earliest mentions of an Apple Ring dates back to 2007. Yanko Design published a concept image by Victor Soto, calling it the iRing. This early design envisioned a white or black ring with a blue glowing Apple logo, capable of controlling playback and volume on an iPhone or iPod via a touch-sensitive strip.

The iRing would recharge on a loop-shaped cradle and have a battery life of up to two days. While the technology at the time wasn’t advanced enough to make the iRing feasible, ongoing miniaturisation of tech components has gradually made such a device more plausible.

In 2013, analysts speculated on the Apple Ring’s potential when Topeka Capital Markets issued a research note. Though the note primarily discussed an Apple-produced television, it also mentioned the iRing as a possible navigation tool for the TV, using motion detection to replace traditional remote controls. While Apple did not release a television set, it did launch Apple TV, but without the ring controller.

Apple’s numerous patents and patent applications over the years further suggest that the company has seriously considered the idea of a smart ring. These patents propose various features, from compact displays and gesture controls to rolling haptics and compatibility with the Apple Vision Pro. One patent even suggests an “expandable ring device” that could be worn as a necklace or bracelet.

In 2022, a more sensational rumour claimed that Apple was developing a set of paired wedding rings that would allow users to track each other’s location and detect if the ring was removed. While this idea seemed far-fetched, the underlying concern about privacy and misuse is valid. Apple has already faced similar issues with its AirTags, which have been used for tracking people without their consent. However, it is expected that Apple would incorporate robust privacy measures into any smart ring it develops.

Speculation about the Apple Ring was reignited in early 2024 after Samsung’s Unpacked event teased the Galaxy Ring. Insiders suggested that Apple’s long history of smart ring-related patents indicates advanced development, with commercialization possibly imminent. However, there was no specific timeline mentioned for the release.

The Apple Ring remains an intriguing yet elusive concept. Despite numerous patent filings and ongoing rumours, there is no definitive evidence that it will hit the market soon. The rumour mill tends to go quiet on this topic for long periods, resurfacing primarily around patent grants and applications rather than concrete product launches.