Apple abandons smart ring project to prevent rigging of Apple Watch sales: Report

Ever since Samsung launched its first wearable ring – the Galaxy Ring – rumors have been swirling that Apple might be planning to do the same. However, a new report highlights that the Cupertino-based tech giant has abandoned its plans for a smart ring. This is said to be to prevent cannibalization of sales of the Apple Watch, which is its primary wearable device focused on health and fitness, and a companion to the iPhone.

Apple smart ring project abandoned

In recent years, Apple patents have been discovered for a smart ring that would not only be equipped with health and fitness-tracking sensors but also focus on improved hand recognition on the Apple Vision Pro – the company’s first mixed reality headset. At the time, it was suggested that this smart ring could also be a screen-free alternative to the Apple Watch and would come at a lower price. However, this may no longer be in the company’s plans.

Bloomberg’s Mark Gurman reports that Apple has abandoned its smart ring project. It is not being “actively developed” that a smart ring would serve to replace the Apple Watch as a low-cost alternative due to the risk of the alleged device hurting the company’s smartwatch sales. According to Gurman, within the company, the Apple Watch is considered a “pioneer” in the fitness tracking industry and has room to grow.

Thus, the iPhone maker has reportedly decided to focus on its Apple Watch lineup instead, which recently got new additions with the launch of the Apple Watch Series 10 in September. It is likely to remain one of Apple’s flagship health and fitness-focused wearable devices.

In recent months, Apple has reportedly teased the development of a smart ring by sending surveys to customers, including Apple Watch owners. While most of the questions revolved around the features and battery life of the company’s smartwatches, it also asked them if they use a smart ring – a move that was considered at the time to be a hint towards possible smart ring development Was.