Samsung Patent Tips Development of Smart Ring

Samsung after smartwatches and Gear VR headsets seems to be working on a smart ring under its wearables segment, according to a patent. It describes how the ring will work and what functions it might carry.

First spotted by Patently Mobile website, the patent published by USPTO (U.S. Patent & Trademark Office) earlier this month suggests that the ring can be used to control smartphones, tablets, smart TVs, and smart home devices as well. Users can control various connected devices using the Samsung ring by simply rotating it left or right. It is said to be able to carry out even complex functions if the user has a connected device, for instance a smartphone, in their hands.

Other features expected to come along with the smart ring are changing TV channels, controlling lights, and some functions related with the user's social media account. The technology behind the smart ring is said to be based on the rotating bezel on the Samsung Gear S2 smartwatch.

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The South Korean tech giant this week announced that it has started selling a new processor aimed at health-focused wearable products, seeking to tap into a fast-growing market. Called the Samsung Bio-Processor, the new chip is the first that can take multiple measurements - including body fat, skin temperature and heart rate - as well as process the information collected by itself. Samsung began mass production of the new chips in December. It said the processor will power a new device to be launched in the first half of 2016, but declined to elaborate on the maker of the device.