We often think of wearable tech as common accessories such as fitness bands, smartwatches and earbuds. Smart rings are one of many smart wearables that we have.
These wearables, which are relatively new, are lighter than bracelets and watches. They look just like regular jewelry. You may have probably seen one, but you didn’t know it was a smart device.
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WHAT IS A SMART Ring?
Smart rings look just like regular ring forms, but they have electronic features that respond to certain gestures.
This idea isn’t unique. Fin, SmartyRing and Altruis claimed they would create smart rings capable of changing how we work and play.
Even after creating prototypes and securing funding, many of these smart ring ideas fell through due to legal and design issues.
Although they were difficult to create back then, companies like Amazon and Apple are showing that smart rings can be made today. They could become the next big thing for smart wearable tech.
WHAT CAN A SMART Ring DO?
Smart rings can perform functions similar to smartwatches or fitness bands.
You can purchase a smart ring that has a microscopic screen to display notifications such as missed calls, received text messages and social media alerts directly from your phone. Smart rings can be used to unlock smartphones and smart locks, store passwords and allow you to make payments.
Smart rings are great for fitness enthusiasts as they can track your steps and heart rate. There are many options for every taste, but there isn’t a single feature that can be applied to all of them.
HOW DO SMARTRINGS WORK?
You need to understand the process of making a smart ring. A smart ring is one that incorporates multiple technologies such as Bluetooth, NFC chips and sensors into a small ring. It must also look and feel good to wear.
Design is the most difficult stage. There are many compromises and technical issues. Today, it is easier to design and build a smart-ring. Although many smart rings have similar features, they can include motion sensors, haptic actuators and antennas.
Finding the right size options and adjustments is another challenge. The main concern with a smart ring is its size. It is not adjustable to fit all fingers and it can’t be adjusted by you.
Smart ring producers have come up with a solution: sizing kits that allow customers to check their measurements before purchasing.
They will receive a variety of sizes of demo rings in plastic, which they will wear for several days, trying them on different fingers until they find the perfect fit.
After they have settled on the size they want, they will go to the website of the producer and fill out the details.
Although it may cause some friction in the buying process, this is probably the best way for you to ensure that you get the right size for you.
SMART RINGS ARE WORTH YOUR TIME & MONEY
It’s difficult to say whether smart rings are good or bad at this stage. The technology is still in its infancy. Different rings are capable of different things, so not all manufacturers can do it perfectly on all fronts.
Smart rings mean that your smartphone is less dependent on you, which means less screen time. Smart rings will not require you to constantly check your smartphone to monitor your steps, calories, and other metrics.
Smart rings are not like smartphones and smartwatches which require frequent charging. They can last several days depending on what ring you choose.
It’s the easiest and most hassle-free way to make contactless payments.
The Bad
Smart rings are not without their challenges. It can be difficult to design a functional ring. This increases the price of a ring, as you will have to pay more to track multiple metrics.
NFC Rings, which can store data and unlock smart locks, are a popular option. They cost just $13. The Oura and Motiv rings are almost as affordable as smartwatches, but they offer many more functions, such sleep tracking, making and receiving calls, listening to messages, and much more.
The main problem is the ring’s size. Some models are too large to be worn all day, especially if they have a display and battery.
Smart rings are less appealing than smartwatches or fitness bands. They can also be prone to malfunctioning if they don’t have the resources to troubleshoot the rings and fix any software issues.
Last words
Smart ring technology is still relatively new. A smart ring can be a great alternative to wearing a fitness watch or smartwatch all day. You can still use it to track your health and go about your day, but you won’t have to reach for your phone or wallet.