Oura CEO Says Apple Won't Make a Smart Ring Because 'It's Hard to Do'

[MacRumors]

Oura CEO Tom Hale doesn't believe that Apple has plans to get into the smart ring market because an Apple-designed smart ring might undercut sales of the Apple Watch.

In an interview with CBNC, Hale said that Apple is likely "unconvinced about the value of having a ring and watch together," and he said that while the company is likely keeping a close eye on both Oura and Samsung, an Apple smart ring probably won't happen because "it's hard to do this product category right."

Oura recently came out with the Oura Ring 4, a product able to track movement, fitness, health, stress, and sleep. Oura is one of the most well-known companies in the smart ring space, and it first came out with a ring back in 2015.

Rumors suggest that Apple has explored the idea of a smart ring, but the company reportedly has no plans to launch one at this time. Back in October, Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said that no ring is in active development.

Apple is said to be worried about cannibalizing sales of the Apple Watch because a smart ring would have many of the same features as the watch. Apple's industrial team proposed a smart ring that would be a lower-cost alternative to an Apple Watch, but Apple executives weren't interested.

Should smart rings pick up in popularity, Apple could decide to design one after all. Back in July, Samsung launched the Galaxy Ring, a device that works with Galaxy devices and tracks movement, sleep, heart rate, and respiratory rate, providing users with a daily sleep score and an energy score.

Apple has patented ring-like devices, resulting in "iRing" rumors, but Apple often patents all manner of products that never make it to launch.

Article Link: Oura CEO Says Apple Won't Make a Smart Ring Because 'It's Hard to Do'

 

[dannyyankou]

I imagine it is very difficult to put that much technology in something so small, and have 5 day battery life.

 

[ZMacintosh]

perhaps, but also, why? why does everything now have to be a "smart" device or even a "device"?

 

[cjboffoli97]

I'm a guy for which the idea of jewelry on men (even rings) doesn't hold much appeal. I don't think I'd like wearing the weight of a device on a finger. It seems like there would be compromises to make in terms of providing it with enough battery life but also making it light (and waterproof). Jewelry on one's hands can also collect a lot of bacteria. Yeah, I just don't see the value proposition.

 

[mannyvel]

In general, Apple isn't worried about cannibalization.

But yeah, I don't think Apple will do a smart ring unless it can do blood pressure monitoring.

 

[sunapple]

Tim Cook says Oura won’t make VR goggles because they’re hard to do.

 

[constantsnags!]

I got my Oura 4 last Friday and started wearing it on Monday morning. It's now Thursday morning where I am, I haven't taken it off, and I've still got 34% battery left. It's very possible. I also haven't worn my AWU2 or Garmin Fenix 7X to sleep since I got it. It's worth it for that alone.

 

[dannyyankou]

I'm a guy for which the idea of jewelry on men (even rings) doesn't hold much appeal. I don't think I'd like wearing the weight of a device on a finger. It seems like there would be compromises to make in terms of providing it with enough battery life but also making it light (and waterproof). Jewelry on one's hands can also collect a lot of bacteria. Yeah, I just don't see the value proposition.

Battery life on the Oura 3 is amazing, and it’s so light you barely feel it. Only 4 grams.

 

[Rychiar]

Unless it doubles as a second point of contact for the ecg or works as a vision pro controller I don't see the point

 

[Sl4ck3r]

I got my Oura 4 last Friday and started wearing it on Monday morning. It's now Thursday morning where I am, I haven't taken it off, and I've still got 34% battery left. It's very possible. I also haven't worn my AWU2 or Garmin Fenix 7X to sleep since I got it. It's worth it for that alone.

Does it sync all the same data to your Health app that the AWU2 did? I hate wearing my AW to bed, taking it off to charge it every morning and remembering to put it back on before leaving the house. If I could just sleep with the ring I think it would be much easier. Although I hate jewelry, so it might just be a nighttime use case and I take the ring off in the morning

 

[coplt]

It’s a lot easier when you’re a 3.5 trillion dollar tech company with a track record of device manufacturing.

I think this is typical CEO speak to re-assure investors. Who knows if Apple will make one or not at this point. All the pieces have to line up if they do. The Apple car is a good example of what happens when they don’t.

 

[jz0309]

Hale said that Apple is likely "unconvinced about the value of having a ring and watch together," and he said that while the company is likely keeping a close eye on both Oura and Samsung, an Apple smart ring probably won't happen because "it's hard to do this product category right."

now WHY does he feel he needs to say that? boost sales? is he afraid?

I have no interest in a ring, esp not one that only works with a subscription, but that is just me

 

[spillled typos]

I'd probably get a smart Apple ring. I'm definitely not interested in the Apple Watch, I simple don't like anything on my wrists.

 

[supergt]

Apple Ring Pro....coming soon

 

[DrJR]

No thanks. I don't want to get married to my technology.

However, with 5G and Bluetooth the reception would be fantastic...... I'm here all week.

 

[Unregistered 4U]

now WHY does he feel he needs to say that? boost sales? is he afraid?

I have no interest in a ring, esp not one that only works with a subscription, but that is just me

Probably working on getting more money from investors and they’re asking “What if Apple does a thing?”

 

[sw1tcher]

Oura CEO Tom Hale doesn't believe that Apple has plans to get into the smart ring market because an Apple-designed smart ring might undercut sales of the Apple Watch.

Oura should count themselves lucky that Apple isn't working on a smart ring. If Apple released a smart ring, that'd be one ring to rule them all.

 

[DunedinD]

Y’know what else is hard to do? A smartphone that’s a delight to use. A tablet that people actually want to buy. A personal computer that’s doesnt make you want to smash the screen in at least once a day. A smartwatch that succeeds despite the initial mocking.

 

[Jkeith85]

I prefer the watch, I’d bet it’s more accurate than a ring, as far as what the ring can do.

 

[bigjnyc]

If Apple made a ring I could see them making it in a luxury material and finish... and then grossly overpricing it.

 

[Slix]

Does it sync all the same data to your Health app that the AWU2 did? I hate wearing my AW to bed, taking it off to charge it every morning and remembering to put it back on before leaving the house. If I could just sleep with the ring I think it would be much easier. Although I hate jewelry, so it might just be a nighttime use case and I take the ring off in the morning

I don't have any experience with the Oura, but I usually charge my Apple Watch before I sleep, so after I'm done working out and everything at night, for an hour or so, then wear it to bed with a full charge.

 

[subjonas]

an Apple-designed smart ring might undercut sales of the Apple Watch.

I guess an Apple smartband is not in the cards then either. Not a huge fan of full-on watches.

 

[CharlesShaw]

I prefer the watch as well, and mostly for Apple Pay. If the ring could do contactless payments for a default card without having to carry your phone, that might be handy to some.

 

[hovscorpion12]

if Samsung can do it, Apple can. No excuses.

 

[npmacuser5]

What’s the biggest battery drain; screen. If apple did not have a screen on the watch, like some do, the battery would last for weeks. If all one cares about is data the ring a good option. I use my watch 23 hours a day including sleep. The battery is just fine as it is and I will not have a device without the screen. Zero problems here.