Samsung files trademark applications for 'Galaxy Ring' and 'Galaxy Circle'
Expected to serve as smart rings for healthcare and controller functions
Industry insiders and foreign media are speculating that Samsung Electronics will unveil a smart ring. In February, Samsung filed trademarks for 'Galaxy Ring' and in July for 'Galaxy Circle' gift certificates, and an icon file presumed to be a smart ring within a smartphone was discovered.
According to industry sources and foreign media on the 16th, recently famous IT tipster Ice Universe suggested the possibility that the Galaxy Ring will be announced at the unpacking event where the Galaxy S24 series will be unveiled next year.
Ice Universe expects Samsung Electronics to reveal the smart ring in January, explaining, "It is a product that surpasses the Galaxy S24 series. I understand that Samsung's expectations are also high."
Considering that Samsung Electronics usually holds its Galaxy unpacking event in early February during the first half of the year, there is a considerable chance that the Galaxy Ring will be unveiled alongside the Galaxy S24. However, even if it is revealed together with the Galaxy S24, some opinions suggest that official release may be delayed due to regulatory approval related to healthcare functions.
Apple, which has had rumors about the release of an 'Apple Ring' for several years, reportedly registered a patent related to a skin contact detection system for smart rings with the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) earlier this year.
Although the specific applications of this technology have not been disclosed, the industry expects the Apple Ring to facilitate easier interaction with other Apple devices. It could be used for phone calls, messages, music playback, camera shooting, etc., by touching the finger or making specific hand gestures.
With the two global smartphone giants filing patents related to smart rings, expectations are rising that the 'war of the rings' is about to begin in earnest.
The dominant view is that the main function of smart rings will be healthcare. Wearing a smart ring on the finger, where fine blood vessels are concentrated, is analyzed to enable much more detailed physical condition measurements when used together with a smartwatch.
Smart rings currently on the market also focus on healthcare functions. Finnish company Oura's smart ring uses various sensors to monitor sleep status, heart rate changes, body temperature changes, and links this information to smartphones. The Oura Ring is currently leading the smart ring market, collaborating with luxury brand Gucci, among others.
It is presumed that the Galaxy Ring and Apple Ring are considering integration with VR, MR, and XR (virtual, mixed, and extended reality) devices, going beyond healthcare.
At WWDC (Worldwide Developers Conference) 2023 held last May, Apple unveiled the spatial computer product 'Apple Vision Pro' and plans to start sales early next year. Expectations are rising that the linkage between Vision Pro and the Apple Ring will enhance convenience in virtual spaces.
Samsung Electronics may also unveil a new XR device as early as next year. At the Galaxy Unpack event held this February, Samsung announced the formation of an XR alliance with Qualcomm and Google and stated that new product development is underway.
The release of smart rings remains uncertain for both Samsung Electronics and Apple. However, if the combination of smart rings and VR devices is realized, it is expected that a new era of computing will open, just as Apple anticipated when unveiling the Vision Pro.
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