We’re just four days away from Apple’s special event on September 9, 2024, titled “It’s Glowtime.” And while we’re expecting new iPhones, AirPods, and Apple Watches, as you might expect, the tech giant is likely hard at work on future gadgets.
Apple recently sent out a survey to a number of Apple Watch users, asking for feedback on the smartwatch itself, various features including battery life and, most interestingly, whether they use a smart ring. according to AppleInsiderin which some questions were examined.
While that’s far from concrete evidence, it’s clear that Apple is at least considering a smart ring, something that’s been speculated about before. Smart rings specifically popped up when people were asked if they used other wearables.
Apple is likely using the results as market research to determine what other form factors interest them. Apple Watch owners asking for a smart ring isn’t entirely out of the blue, either. Apple has been filing patents related to smart rings for years, and rumor has it that the tech giant will eventually get into the category as well.
Of course, as with all future products, Apple is operating in secrecy. An Apple smart ring does make sense, however, as it could offer a similar feature set to the Apple Watch but with a dual focus on health and activity tracking, and also deliver it in a version that might be more suitable for some customers.
I wear an Apple Watch Ultra basically 24/7 or whatever other smartwatch I might be testing, but a lot of people don’t want to sleep with a gadget on their wrist. A smart ring solves that, and it could also solve the battery life issue that Apple asked users about in this survey, particularly if they use a fast charger.
That’s included in the box with the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2, allowing you to quickly charge the smartwatch, but since an Apple Ring may not have a display, it can go multiple days without needing a charge. Check out the Oura Ring or Galaxy Ring; both offer multi-day battery life.
An Apple Ring could also help you disconnect and prevent access to another screen-based device. Since Samsung’s Galaxy Ring offers a finger gesture, Apple could extend the Double-Tap functionality of the Series 9 and Ultra 2 – and Vision Pro – to a smart ring, allowing you to control another device with it.
Of course, nothing is official until Apple makes it official, and it’s likely that an Apple-branded smart ring is still a ways off. After all, we’re not expecting one at the next Apple event for a few days, but it’s clear that smart rings are at least on the brand’s radar.
And since I’d like to see Apple enter this category, I see this as a hint of sorts.