LISBON — Apple won’t introduce a sensible ring, the CEO of health technology company Oura told CNBC, despite speculation that the iPhone giant might consider entering the product category.
The debut of Samsung's Smart Ring earlier this yr brought the product into the highlight. An analyst predicted earlier this yr that Apple could launch its own smart ring in 2026.
But Tom Hale, CEO of Oura – which has been developing smart rings because the company was founded in 2013 – said he doesn't think Apple will enter this space.
“I feel she [Apple] “We're not convinced of the value of having a ring and a watch together, and they're not interested in undermining Apple Watch as a business,” Hale said in an interview on the Web Summit in Lisbon, Portugal, on Tuesday , told CNBC.
“I think they're probably keeping a close eye on Samsung and us, but it's a difficult product category to get right.”
Under CEO Tim Cook, Apple has placed a serious deal with health applications through the Apple Watch and related services.
A wise ring is a form of wearable device full of sensors that can provide the wearer details about things like health, activity, and sleep. They're lightweight and have a protracted battery life, which fans say makes them ideal for wearing all day, including while sleeping, versus a smartwatch, which could also be less comfortable and subsequently removed more often.
“Apple is a really focused company. They say, 'We're on the clock. We're going to make the watch our platform,'” Hale said.
Oura recently launched its next-generation Oura Ring 4 as competition increases in the wearable sector.
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