Apple Ditches Smart Ring Plans, Doubles Down on Watch Health Features
In a surprising move, tech giant Apple has decided to sidestep the growing smart ring market, choosing instead to focus on enhancing its popular Apple Watch line. This decision comes as competitors like Samsung make waves with their own smart ring offerings.
Industry insiders report that while Apple briefly toyed with the idea of developing a smart ring, the project never got off the ground. The company’s top brass apparently gave the concept a thumbs down, worried it might eat into Apple Watch sales.
Mark Gurman, a well-known Apple watcher from Bloomberg, broke the news earlier this week. He says Apple’s design team pitched the smart ring idea as a budget-friendly alternative to the Apple Watch. But higher-ups weren’t sold on the concept.
This revelation pours cold water on earlier buzz from Korean tech site Electronic Times. They’d claimed Apple was rushing to create a health-tracking ring. Now it seems those rumors may have been sparked by Samsung’s own ring launch.
So why is Apple saying “no” to smart rings? Let’s break it down:
Feature overlap: Smart rings from brands like Oura already do a lot of what the Apple Watch does. They track heart rate, body temp, and sleep patterns. An Apple ring would basically be a mini-Watch on your finger.
Protecting Apple Watch sales: If Apple made a cheaper ring with similar features, it might tempt folks away from buying the pricier Watch. That’s not great for the bottom line.
Been there, done that: Apple likes to lead, not follow. With Samsung already in the ring game, Apple might feel like it’s playing catch-up.
Focus on what works: The Apple Watch is a huge hit. Why mess with success? Apple seems to be doubling down on making the Watch even better and more affordable.
Speaking of affordable, there’s buzz about a new Apple Watch SE coming in 2025. Word is, it might sport a plastic case to keep costs down. This could be Apple’s play to win over budget-conscious buyers and parents looking for kid-friendly options.
But don’t count Apple out of the wearables game just yet. The company is always cooking up new ideas. While a ring might not be in the cards, who knows what other gadgets they’ve got up their sleeve?
In the meantime, Apple’s keeping busy with other projects. Rumor has it they’re planning a big reveal soon. On the menu? New M4-powered Macs and fresh iPads. Here’s what might be coming:
- A redesigned Mac mini with the M4 chip
- A 24-inch iMac, also packing M4 power
- MacBook Pros sporting three flavors of M4: base, Pro, and Max
- Updates to the entry-level iPad and iPad Mini
Apple fans can expect this event to drop in late October, with new gear hitting shelves in early November.
So, while Apple might be giving smart rings the cold shoulder, they’re not slowing down. The focus seems to be on beefing up their existing product lines and maybe finding new ways to make their tech more accessible to a wider audience.
What does this mean for the average consumer? If you’ve been holding out for an Apple smart ring, you might want to explore other options. But if you’re all about the Apple ecosystem, keep your eyes peeled for that new budget-friendly Watch SE. It could be the perfect way to dip your toe into the world of Apple wearables without breaking the bank.
As for the competition, Samsung’s Galaxy Ring is out there for those who want to try the smart ring experience. It plays nice with other Galaxy devices, tracking all the usual health stats like movement, sleep, and heart rate.
In the end, Apple’s decision shows they’re sticking to their guns. Rather than chasing every new trend, they’re focusing on what they do best: refining their hit products and occasionally surprising us with something totally new.
So, while we might not be slipping on an iRing anytime soon, who knows what other gadgets Apple has in store? In the fast-paced world of tech, the next big thing is always just around the corner.