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Apple May Launch a Smart Ring to Rival Samsung by 2026, Predicts Research Firm

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Apple could be on track to launch a connected smart ring by 2026, according to predictions by CCS Insight, marking a potential new addition to its health-focused product lineup. This would follow Apple’s most recent major launch, the Vision Pro headset, and would signify its deepening commitment to personal health technology.

Ben Wood, chief analyst at CCS Insight, shared his thoughts on Apple’s potential next move during CNBC’s Beyond the Valley podcast. He believes that as CEO Tim Cook nears retirement, his legacy at Apple could be largely defined by the company’s contributions to health and wellness through innovative technology. Wood said that a smart ring would naturally complement Apple’s existing health devices, such as the Apple Watch, which already provides detailed health metrics.

“Health has become a fundamental pillar for Apple,” Wood stated, adding that Cook’s personal interest in health makes a ring device a logical next step for the company.

Smart rings, much like smartwatches, come equipped with sensors to track various health indicators, including heart rate. The market for these devices has seen growth in recent years, with brands like Oura pioneering the category. This year, Samsung introduced its own Galaxy Ring, retailing at $399, as part of its broader push into the health-tech space.

Apple’s strategy often mirrors that of Samsung in terms of building an interconnected ecosystem of devices. The introduction of a ring would further solidify Apple’s commitment to keeping users engaged in its ecosystem of products, which ranges from iPhones and smartwatches to AirPods and other health-focused devices. Apple has already emphasized health in its recent product launches, including updates to the Apple Watch and AirPods Pro 2, which have hearing aid features.

However, selling smart rings poses unique challenges due to the variety of finger sizes, as noted by Wood. Samsung addressed this by offering different sizes and colors, along with sample size kits before purchase. Apple’s robust retail presence, with its stylish and customer-centric stores, could help it overcome this hurdle and make the smart ring more accessible to consumers.

Wood also highlighted the importance of design in wearable tech, noting that Apple products still hold a certain prestige. He suggested that a sleek, well-designed Apple ring could even become a fashion statement or status symbol, much like other Apple devices.

 

Synchron Connects Brain Implant to Apple’s Vision Pro, Enabling Mind-Control for Patients with Limited Mobility

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Neurotech startup Synchron announced on Tuesday that it has successfully connected its brain implant to Apple’s Vision Pro headset. This breakthrough allows patients with limited physical mobility to control the device using only their thoughts.

Synchron is developing a brain-computer interface (BCI) to help patients with paralysis operate technology like smartphones and computers. The company has implanted its BCI in six patients in the U.S. and four in Australia, and is awaiting approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to commercialize its technology further.

The Vision Pro, which Apple released earlier this year, is typically controlled by eye movements, voice commands, and hand gestures. Synchron’s integration aims to make the device accessible to patients who cannot speak or move their upper limbs. Synchron CEO Thomas Oxley praised Apple’s iOS accessibility platform as best in class and noted that the company focused on Apple’s ecosystem first. He also mentioned that Apple has been very supportive of the Vision Pro integration.

Synchron is part of a competitive BCI industry that includes companies like Paradromics, Precision Neuroscience, Blackrock Neurotech, and Elon Musk’s Neuralink. Synchron’s BCI is unique in that it is inserted through a patient’s jugular vein, avoiding the need for open brain surgery. The device is delivered to the blood vessel on the brain’s motor cortex surface and connected to an antenna under the skin in the chest. This antenna collects brain data and sends it to external devices.