New filings point towards new XR hardware on the way.
It’s been rumored that Samsung is working on a smart ring that can be used in tandem with a pair of custom augmented reality (AR) glasses, and based on a recently uncovered trademark filing by Samsung registering the names “Galaxy Ring” and “Galaxy Glasses,” it appears as though the gossip could be true.
In October, a rumor emerged claiming that Samsung was working on a smart ring that uses multiple sensors to give you important health data throughout the day, much like a modern smartwatch. This was related to a patent for a device that was reportedly equipped with such sensors.
Based on said filings, the rumored Galaxy Ring tracks various activities and health metrics and is capable of taking blood pressure readings, similar to the capabilities of the Galaxy Watch 5 and 5 Pro.
This isn’t Samsung’s first attempt at a smart ring. Back in 2015, Samsung filed a different patent for a smart ring that never came to be.
The trademark for the Galaxy Ring was granted by KIPRIS, which describes the wearable as a “smart device for measuring health indicators and/or sleep in the form of a ring.” The application for the trademark doesn’t provide much information about the rumored Galaxy Ring. It’s also possible that the South Korean company will unveil other wearable devices in 2023.
Aside from the Galaxy Ring, the company also filed a patent for Galaxy Glasses, an AR device capable of projecting virtual data over the real world. It’s possible that the project is getting closer to reality after the company unveiled its XR platform during its Unpacked event on February 1st, 2023.
Earlier this month, it was announced that Samsung is partnering with Google to develop new XR technology. Google SVP of Android, Hiroshi Lockheimer, talked about the future of XR technology, calling it, “An exciting space where Google has been investing in for a long time across both experiences and technology is AR and VR. These technologies are integral to the new phase of computing as it can change the way we interact with people and information to get things done in the real world.”
Unlike the rumored Apple AR headset, which has seen its fair share of concept art, rumors, and “insider information,” floating around the internet, Samsung has managed to remain tight-lipped regarding its future XR plans. Other than the uncovered trademark, there’s been a lack of news about Samsung’s possible AR goals. This doesn’t indicate that Samsung isn’t taking AR seriously; it could just mean that the company is taking a slower approach in order to get the technology right.
According to the KIPRIS application, the trademark indicates that the Galaxy Glasses will be used for various applications, such as VR and AR. It also states that the devices trademarked by Samsung are tagged under “headset for virtual reality experience,” “headset for augmented reality experience”, “smart glasses”, “smartphone”, and “headphone.”
How the Galaxy Ring and the Galaxy Glass work together is still a mystery. That said, it’s easy to imagine how the devices could work in tandem. For example, instead of pulling out your Samsung smartphone and opening an app to access health records, you could simply look at your ring while wearing the AR glasses to access data instantaneously in AR. The ring could also be used to access menus or interact with your smartphone without the device having to leave your pocket.
It’s not clear when, or if, either of these products will see the light of day. That said, I could see myself jumping ship over to Samsung if the aforementioned products become available.
You can find additional details about the patent filing on the KIPRIS website by clicking here.
Feature Image Credit: Samsung
