sunday runday
In this weekly column, Android Central Fitness Editor Michael Hicks talks about the world of wearables, apps, and fitness technology related to running and health in his quest to get faster and fitter.
After Samsung launches the Galaxy Ring later this year, Apple is said to be rushing to follow suit with a competing Apple Ring. Before that happens, Samsung has one obvious strategy that will increase the Galaxy Ring’s chances of widespread success. It’s about making it available to Android and Galaxy phone owners as well as iOS customers.
Samsung regularly made its wearables run on the iPhone before pivoting from Tizen to Wear OS. Samsung Gears, Galaxy Fit, Galaxy Watch Active 2, and Galaxy Watch 3 all worked with the Samsung Health iOS app.
But not many people are using Galaxy technology on their iPhones. That’s because Apple strategically disables non-watchOS wearables in areas like stable phone connectivity, voice assistant support, wrist responses, and notifications. Junho Park, Samsung’s global product planning director, told Techradar that his company has abandoned support for his iOS because it “can’t provide the same level of experience on Android and his iOS.” .
But here’s the thing: Apple can make smart technology dumber, but it doesn’t. Can not Limit the health data that standard Bluetooth health trackers can provide. Smart rings like the Oura Ring Gen 3 provide workout data and real-time health insights without the need for more complications, making it ideal for iPhone users who don’t prefer wearing an Apple Watch for sleep tracking. It has already become popular among
Galaxy Ring could completely defeat Apple Ring
The Electronic Times quoted industry analysts saying that based on Apple’s recent proliferation of smart ring patents, “advanced commercialization appears imminent.”
However, the analyst has not revealed a specific schedule, and it is certainly not possible for the Apple Ring to arrive earlier than the Galaxy Ring in late 2024. More importantly, his speculation is based on patents, not inside information.
Consider how Apple started envisioning the Vision Pro in 2015, or how it hopes to launch its first foldable phone in 2026 (according to Android authorities). Whether out of lethargic complacency as customers keep waiting for every version, or a desire for exacting quality, Apple always waits to launch products and features well behind its rivals.
Every time the apple rings do Upon arrival, the patent itself sounds intriguing, if gimmicky. iMore wrote about how the Smart Ring could control other Apple devices, including the Vision Pro, with gestures, while AppleInsider said the Ring could have an outer touch panel or rotating layer. I am.
Apple wants these concepts to work because an interconnected device strategy is the key to success. But I suspect most people are more concerned about his ring, a stylish, compact smart device that provides useful health data, rather than gesture controls or a cumbersome ring-sized touchpad.
Moreover, even if Apple rushes to launch a smart ring, I doubt we’ll see it until 2025 at the earliest. This gives Samsung the opportunity it needs to gain a real foothold in the smart ring market.
How Galaxy Ring succeeds on iPhone
Given that Samsung lost the top spot in smartphone sales to Apple last year, artificially cutting it off from its growing user base is a bad idea. Samsung also wants to specifically target the US market. Last quarter, Apple sold 64% of all smartphones compared to 18% for Samsung (according to Counterpoint).
Even though Samsung makes many of the best Android phones and has many loyal customers, many Android fans don’t consider the Galaxy Ring essential or prefer other brands like OPPO or Pixel. would prefer. The obvious solution is to target iPhone owners who have enough disposable income to buy both a smart watch and a smart ring.
So how does Samsung reach across the metaphorical aisle? It starts by revamping the Samsung Health iOS app. The app has only received two bug fix updates since 2020, but it makes sure you get all the features Android apps have added over the past few years, as well as ensuring you get all the features on your Galaxy Ring. so that it can be sent to. Send your data to Apple Health.
Since Samsung will likely let Android users manage their Galaxy Ring settings in the Galaxy Wearable app, it will need to offer similar control to iOS users without restrictions.
With the Galaxy Watch 6, Samsung made the frustrating decision to store ECG readings in the Samsung Health Monitor app, which is exclusive to Galaxy phones.that Must Resist the urge to make your Galaxy Ring better on Android. The modest features will convince non-Samsung fans that the Galaxy Ring isn’t for them.
And finally, Samsung needs to make clear in its marketing efforts that the Galaxy Ring runs on iOS. The ad sarcastically mentions that this is the perfect smart ring for both Android and Android. and It claims to provide more accurate health data than either the iPhone or the Apple Watch. But to do that, the Galaxy Ring needs to break away from the usual Samsung-Android ties and become a universal device in people’s minds.
Samsung may decide that the potential benefits of connecting the Galaxy Ring and iPhone are offset by the significant hurdle of making this strange combination work. Or maybe the idea doesn’t occur to Samsung executives. They may see the Galaxy Ring as just another device in the Galaxy “family” of devices rather than a true standalone product.
I hope Samsung proves me wrong. There’s no way Apple would do that, but I hope his Apple Ring works with his Android phone. Because, unlike smart watches, smart rings don’t require any gimmicks. All they need is very accurate health data and style. This transcends the boundaries of normal technology and should allow people to have multiple choices for purchasing, regardless of which smartphone they have.
