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Samsung is hoping to lure fitness and health-tracking tech lovers with its latest wearable device - the Galaxy Ring.
It launched the device at its Galaxy Unpacked event on Wednesday as the latest addition to its ecosystem of devices it says is "supercharged" with artificial intelligence (AI). The smart rings, which use tiny sensors to monitor various health indicators, have until now been a niche product, although they were recently used by the England men's soccer team to make headlines.
It looks like Samsung will try to change that by becoming the biggest tech company yet to enter the smart ring market. CCS Insight analyst Ben Wood says the product choice is an "interesting bet" for Samsung, and his company estimates the total global market will be around four million smart rings by 2025.
"That's a rounding error compared to the 250 million smartwatches that will also be sold," he told the BBC. But others believe Samsung could help make smart rings more popular.
Market research analyst Francisco Geronimo said: “For most consumers, the Samsung Smart Ring will be their first point of contact with a smart ring. In the long run, this kind of primary understanding makes a huge difference. James Kitto, vice president and head of mobile communications for Samsung UK and Ireland, said the unveiling of the ring was a "huge moment" for the company.
What is a smart ring? Smart rings can track health indicators such as heart rate, sleep and menstrual cycle.
Finnish health technology company Oura currently dominates the market. In recent years, rings have become a fitness tech fashion staple for celebrities like Kim Kardashian.
With their smaller size and sleeker appearance, they could be the successor to smartwatches like the Apple Watch and Google Pixel Watch, analysts say. Mister. Kitto described the Samsung Galaxy Ring as its "smallest and most discreet product to date, offering accurate 24/7 health, wellness and sleep tracking."
Smartwatches typically have more sensors than smart rings, allowing them to access and provide a wider range of health data.
But "less intrusive" smart rings could provide a practical, convenient and stylish alternative for those who don't want to wear a bulky smartwatch, especially at night to track sleep patterns, Mr Jeronimo says. The device collaborates with the Samsung Galaxy smartphone led by Android 11 or younger and launched at a price of £ 399 on July 24.
Dr Efpraxia Zamani, an associate professor at the University's University Information System, said Broadcasting Corporation that Samsung Galaxy Ring creates a wider product ecosystem, providing users' insight into "health and well, which can be" attractive products ". Many consumers. However, she warned that users should save the collected data for product access and health data monitoring and how to share data shared with the location.
"As part of the ecosystem, this means collecting data from the ring, seeing and on the phone. When it is combined, it may have a greater negative effect with the front." Data collection related to the menstrual cycle has proven controversial in the past.
Last year, the UK's Information Commissioner's Office reviewed period and fertility tracking apps over data security concerns.
