I’m dubious that Apple will release a smart ring, but the company continues to file patents for an “Apple Ring.” The latest is for a “ring input device with touch-sensitive input.’
About the ‘Apple Ring’
In a June 30 “Power On” newsletter, Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman says it’s time for the long-rumored ‘Apple Ring” to finally arrive. However, I disagree.
Gurman said the Apple Watch doesn’t offer any real updates anymore. He thinks that a ring device would offer benefits including being more comfortable to wear and being, well, stylish.
Apple’s new patent filing relates to a ring input device, and more particularly to touch-sensitive input mechanisms within the ring input device that detect touch to initiate an operation.
Summary of the patent filing
Here’s Apple’s abstract of the patent filing: “A ring input device, and more particularly to touch-sensitive input mechanisms within the ring input device that detect touch to initiate an operation, is disclosed. Because finger rings are often small and routinely worn, electronic finger rings can be employed as unobtrusive communication devices that are readily available to communicate wirelessly with other devices capable of receiving those communications. Ring input devices according to examples of the disclosure can detect touch inputs on its band to generate inputs that can then be wirelessly communicated to companion devices.”
