Smart ring's evolution: Samsung Galaxy Ring could command your tech

Samsung made a splash in the smart ring market last year, introducing its first-ever Galaxy Ring as a serious competitor to the Amazfit Helio Ring, Oura Ring Gen 4 and other wearable trackers. Unlike many rivals, Samsung’s ring delivers all the essential health-tracking features without a monthly subscription. But the tech giant isn’t stopping there. Reports suggest that future versions could be far more versatile, potentially allowing users to control screens and gadgets with as much as a flick of a finger.

A glimpse into Samsung’s latest smart ring patent

A recently published WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) patent, filed by Samsung in July 2024, sheds light on these exciting possibilities. The accompanying diagrams illustrate a Galaxy Ring interacting with a laptop and a tablet, hinting at a whole new set of functions.

According to the patent, the future ring will be able to stay connected to two devices simultaneously, enabling users to navigate screens, move files, scroll through content, and tap icons, all without touching the devices directly. Another noteworthy feature described in the document suggests the ability to transfer files seamlessly between connected gadgets, similar to Apple’s Universal Control system.

How would this work?

For this file-moving feature to function, all devices must be on the same WiFi network. While the diagrams specifically show a tablet and a laptop, it’s unclear whether this feature would extend to smartphones or support more than two devices at once.

A description of the patent highlights that the system is designed to create a "natural continuity" between one device’s screen and another’s, making transitions between them smooth and effortless. If this technology makes it into a future Galaxy Ring, it would elevate Samsung’s wearable beyond just health tracking—giving it a major competitive edge in the smart ring market.

For now, most smart rings focus on fitness and wellness, but by adding exclusive features like gesture-based device control, Samsung could turn the Galaxy Ring into a must-have gadget.

Please keep in mind that Samsung may end up limiting these new features, if they are actually going to materialize, to Samsung brand products.