Oura CEO says Apple won’t launch an Apple Ring, but we still think it will
- Oura CEO Tom Hale doesn’t think Apple will launch a smart ring
- This is despite analysts predicting that an Apple Ring could land in the coming years
- There is some basis for Hale’s speculation, but it ignores Apple’s approach in other technology categories
Smart rings are steadily becoming all the rage in the wearables space. While they often fall a bit short in terms of functionality compared to the best smartwatches, their simplicity, more compact form factor and longer battery life make them an excellent alternative for some people – especially those of us who want to wear a classic. analog clock without losing too many health tracking tools.
After Samsung jumped on the smart ring bandwagon with the Galaxy Ring, there were rumors that Apple would also join in with an Apple Ring, but Oura’s CEO doesn’t think that’s likely.
Speak with CNBCOura CEO Tom Hale seemed unconvinced that Apple would create a smart ring, saying, “I think so [Apple] are not convinced of the value of having a ring and a watch together, and they are not interested in undermining the Apple Watch as a company.”
He added: “Apple is a very focused company. They say, ‘We’ve put the watch on. We are going to make the watch our platform. ”
Hale certainly makes a good point; Smart rings are direct competitors to other wearables, so Apple’s ring could potentially cannibalize some of the existing Apple Watch brand. However, Hale’s argument has some holes, the biggest of which is that Apple is already creating different platforms within its product categories.
Apple makes several different types of Macs – with the MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Pro and Mac Studio; various iPads – the regular, mini, Pro and Air; and even makes several Apple Watches, with basic and Ultra models. So offering an Apple Ring alternative that meets the needs of a different kind of user isn’t as outside of Apple’s usual strategy as Hale claims.
An Apple Ring won’t be coming anytime soon
Where Hale makes more sense is when he says of smart rings that “it’s hard to do this product category well.”
As mentioned, smart rings are inherently less feature-rich than smartwatches – the big difference being the lack of a screen. They’re also generally less impressive at tracking fitness goals, but better for sleep and health, as their longer battery life means you won’t need to charge a ring as often as a watch, and their small form factor makes them comfortable. to wear when you sleep.
Creating a smart ring that feels like good value for money and is well stocked with useful tools, but isn’t bulky, is a difficult task. Especially when you take into account that Apple would want a new wearable device to sit alongside its Apple Watch rather than replace it.
That challenge isn’t impossible, though, and while there’s no guarantee that Apple will or won’t create a smart ring, I still think an Apple Ring is more likely than not – just don’t expect to ever see it. soon time.
