Samsung Health Beta drops hints of a potential smart ring debut
Samsung is edging closer to releasing its first smart ring. A reference to the device has been spotted in the latest Samsung Health Beta. This follows on from a trademark filing published a few months ago.
The tech giant has apparently been hard at work on the Galaxy Ring. Reports are that it is actively collaborating with multiple companies to develop the device. This is in order to secure technology such as parts and modules necessary to come up with a smart ring.
While a smart ring does not have a screen, it does come with certain advantages. For starters these types of devices are typically more durable than smartwatches or fitness bands. Also, they are in close proximity to the skin and certain nerve endings which make them conducive for health tracking.
Essential reading: The best smart rings – health tracking from your finger
Such devices have become popularised by the likes of the Oura Ring. Some new entrants have appeared in recent years such as the RingConn, Circular Ring, Movano Smart Ring and UltraHuman Ring. However, there’s still the obvious absence of big names.
Apple has been rumoured for years to be working on a smart ring. But nothing, so far, has come of it. It could, very well, be that Samsung ends up being the first mainstream brand to enter this market. Perhaps later this month.
Samsung Health Beta has hidden “Ring Support”
Samsung seems to have hinted at a new device in their latest Samsung Health Beta, where a “Feature List” page displays “Ring Support”. This is reference previously non-existent.
While this could potentially refer to something else entirely, the timing coincides with the upcoming Unpacked event scheduled for the end of this month. Given that the Galaxy Watch 6 series is anticipated to be unveiled at this event, it’s plausible that Samsung might also introduce their smart ring at the same time.
Samsung has a patent & trademark for a smart ring
A patent for a ring-shaped health tracker was actually filed by Samsung a while ago with the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office). The paperwork describes a device that packs an optical heart rate monitor and ECG (Electrocardiograph) sensor. The ring can also be used to control smart devices such as tablets and TVs via gestures.
We can also add a trademark filing to this patent. KIPRIS (the Korean Intellectual Property Right Information Service) has just added a Samsung “Galaxy Ring” to its database. The paperwork describes it as “a smart device for measuring health indicators and/or sleep in the form of a ring”.
It is no surprise that big brands are looking to other form factors for health monitoring. Fitness bands are slowly being phased out in favour of smartwatches. One day, we expect this type of tech to transition over to smart clothing. In time we will probably transition over to ingestibles, or tech that monitors your vitals signs from the inside. The Beta reference, leaks, patent and trademark filing are a strong indicator we should soon get an expansion of Samsung’s ecosystem of health products.
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