Future Apple Ring would control HomePods and more

Apple has had countless patents granted over the smart ring technology it still won’t tell anyone about, but a new one shows just how an Apple Ring might control all of your devices.

Yes, an Apple Ring would surely be a health monitor, and yes, it would likely dominate the fitness market, but it won’t break up marriages. It’s also surely coming some day, sorry Oura, but until now the focus has been on what it will do, not necessarily what it will work with.

That’s changed with the newly-granted patent, “Electronic device system with ring devices.” It starts by discussing how any given user might have multiple devices, including wearable ones, and how it’s therefore a problem determining which one the user wants to use.

“The target electronic device may be identified using a gaze tracking sensor that senses the user’s point-of-gaze,” says the patent, “a radio-frequency sensor that detects a direction in which the user’s device is pointed, or other sensor circuitry for detecting pointing input, gestures, and other user input.”

There is a section of the 20-page patent that refers to what the ring might do by itself, as well as how it fits within Apple’s privacy ethos.

“If desired, a device may be operated in isolation,” it says. “For example a wearable device that is operating in a stand-alone operating mode may perform health monitoring operations… [which] may or may not be shared with other devices.”

But the main part of the proposal regards how “a ring worn on a user’s finger” could “capture real-time readings on the location… orientation… and motion” of the user and his or her hand. “These activities may be used in controlling devices in the system.”

You know. One ring to rule them all.

The proposal is written in typical patent-speak, meaning that it stops to mention every conceivable device from rings to smart watches, to headsets and more. It also takes the time to specify what could be controlled, here ranging from speakers to thermostats and everything in between in order to thwart as many future lawyers as possible.

Concentrating on the repeated description of a ring, though, the one thing that device is not likely to have is gaze tracking. An Apple Vision Pro already does have precisely that, and iPhones scan faces for Face ID.

Apple keeps trying to refer to generic “electronic devices,” but then it goes and shows you a ring – image credit: Apple

But this may be more like the way an iPhone’s “Always On” screen will actually turn off if you’re not looking at it. It’s the modern equivalent of the light in the fridge, but this power-saving feature means the iPhone does know that you’re looking at it.

Maybe that would be enough. If a HomePod could determine that you’re glancing its way, it surely wouldn’t need precision eye tracking. It could then just know to take your waggling finger as meaning you don’t like this track, move on.

Or raising and lowering your hand could be enough to raise or lower the HomePod’s volume. If the HomePod knew you were looking at it, and if the Apple Ring correctly conveyed the gesture you’re trying to make.

Apple’s strength is in its ecosystem

“Electronic device system with ring devices” is an unusually comprehensive patent for Apple. Rather than setting out the functions of one device or one technology, it is very much about a user’s whole array of devices.

It’s about the Apple ecosystem. And while there is a lot of detail in the patent, what it really does is make a persuasive case for how well an Apple Ring would fit into that.

The patent is credited to two inventors, including Stefan Hafeneger. His previous work for Apple includes multiple Apple Ring patents and patent applications, dating back to 2024.

Apple has been rumored to be working on a smart ring for much longer, though. One of the earliest reports dates back to 2007, when a concept “iRing” image was circulated, and it was expected it would control your iPod.