We're just four days away from Apple's September 9, 2024 special event 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 devices.
Apple has recently been sending out a survey to select 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 AppleInsider, which saw some of the questions.
While this isn't a concrete test, it's clear that Apple is at least considering the possibility of releasing a smart ring, something that has been rumored over and over again with increasing frequency. Specifically, smart rings came 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 might interest them. Asking people who own an Apple Watch about a smart ring isn't entirely unexpected, either. Apple has been filing patents related to smart rings for several years, and there are rumors that the tech giant will eventually enter this category.
Of course, as with any future product, Apple is working in secret. However, an Apple smart ring makes sense, as it could offer a similar feature set to the Apple Watch, but double down on health and activity tracking while offering it in a design that might be more suitable for some customers.
I wear an Apple Watch Ultra 24/7, or any other smartwatch I'm testing, but a lot of people don't want to sleep with a device strapped to their wrist. A smart ring fixes that, and it can also solve the battery life issue, which Apple asked users about in this survey, specifically if they use a fast charger.
That comes in the box with the Apple Watch Series 9 and Ultra 2, allowing you to recharge the smartwatch quickly, but considering an Apple Ring may not have a display, it could last for several days without needing a recharge. Check out the Oura Ring or the Galaxy Ring — both offer multi-day battery life.
An Apple Ring could also help you log out and prevent you from having access to another device with a screen. Considering that Samsung’s Galaxy Ring offers a finger gesture, Apple could extend the double-tap feature 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 an Apple-branded smart ring is likely still a ways off. After all, we're not expecting it for a few days at Apple's next event, but it's clear that smart rings are at least on the brand's radar.
And as someone who is eager to see Apple enter the category, I'll take this as something of a hint.
