The first iPhone was introduced in 2007. It was also around this time that some concept designs were leaked, showing how Apple was working on a revolutionary, futuristic device, something that seemed to come straight out of an Arthur C. Clarke or Asimov novel: Nearly twenty years later, the Apple Ring is still not behind. Because no one has made it a reality at the level that those in Cupertino have conceptualized.
The miniaturization of technology has done wonders in recent years and just look at the Apple Watch – a computer on the wrist – or the Apple Pencil: his bent motherboard is a milestone. For this reason, and even though we have had hints of it for years, it is no longer science fiction to think of an Apple ring. The idea has passed through their laboratories, and perhaps this is the opportunity to launch another one portable more than makes our daily life easier. Let’s see how it could be useful.
We think about health, but Apple also thinks about gestures
The idea of a “smart ring” is not new. Rings like the Oura Ring have crossed the market with some relevance, but without creating a global market. The Samsung Galaxy Ring has also become one of those portable devices that everyone wants to haveeven if they really don’t know why.
The functions of this ring and other rings focus on recording the user’s vital signs, monitor your sleep and even detect signs of chronic diseases. Of course, they also establish a link between the mobile phone and the rest of the product ecosystem. And this is where Apple has a golden opportunity.
Basically, Apple’s idea is somewhat different: in its most recent patents, we can see a ring with motion sensors that can be used as a motion “joystick”, which could be used to control other devices like an Apple TV remote. Multiple accelerometers in the ring could detect movements we would make even with other fingers or the other hand, as you can see in the image above. This rhymes with some uses of the Apple Vision Pro.
Other patents reflected in Frandroid also speak of an “Apple Ring” designed for us to have two on one or more fingers, which would further help detect the complex movements we can perform with them. The Apple Watch would also serve to detect the positions of the three accessories:
A good idea that comes late?
Anyway, the Vision Pro are already capable of detect our finger gestures without needing to use rings
25 possible uses for the Apple ring
In summary, here are the 25 possible uses that we can think of for the future Apple Ring, whether it reaches our fingers or not:
- Advanced Health Monitoring: This would serve for early detection of diseases and real-time health indicators.
- Contactless payments: Classic secure authentication for purchases and transactions.
- Smart Device Control: gestures to control the smart home, such as blinds or lights.
- Augmented reality interface: environmental data projection.
- Digital key: Unlocking vehicles, motorcycles, doors (by turning an invisible crank) and personal devices.
- Personal Assistant: Siri always available for commands and requests.
- Biometric identification: User recognition for secure access.
- Sleep monitoring: Detailed sleep cycle analysis and personalized recommendations.
- Discreet notifications: Vibrations for important alerts without distractions during working hours.
- Physical activity tracking: real-time measurement of steps, calories and effort.
- Gesture recognition: gesture commands to interact with devices.
- Silent communication: short messages or alerts to nearby contacts using vibrations or lights, to avoid accidents.
- Sync with Apple Health: Full integration with the Apple Health platform.
- Posture tracking: Posture correction and alerts to prevent injuries.
- Stress management: stress level measurement and guided relaxation exercises.
- Connecting with Vision Pro: transmission of data and information between devices.
- Proximity alerts: Notifications when an important object or person is nearby, perhaps with a buzzing sound, similar to the current one.
- Remote presentation control: change slides or interact with ring content.
- Digital security: protection against unauthorized access through continuous authentication, in addition to geolocation blocking.
- Authentication in applications: which brings us to secure connection to applications and services.
- Emergency aid: Automatic alert to contacts or emergency services in the event of a fall, blow or detectable health problem.
- Digital Wallet: Secure storage of personal documents such as IDs or tickets.
- Location-based actions: automation of tasks when arriving or leaving a location, whether it is a restaurant or a supermarket.
- Personal Trainer: real-time exercise guide tailored to the user.
- Advanced haptic feedback: precise haptic feedback for digital interactions, already offered by the iPhone itself
An older version of this article was originally published on 08/27/2023.
In Applesfera | Apple Watch X: release date, price and everything we think we know about it
In Applesfera | Foldable iPhone: Release date, price, models and everything we think we know about them
