Smart rings — fantastic technology, low momentum, but new actors and features

3 innovation and digital news in 1 minute. Every Monday. Episode 297

News 1: Oura ring, now with a Gucci edition

Sleep, activity and general performance, these are the three key parameters that Oura rings measure. A ring linked to an app. Oura comes in with a third generation of sensors — precise measurement with sensors (temperature, heart beat, oxygen) on the inner circle and battery lasting 3 days. Opinion: Oura was founded 9 years ago in Finland — a veteran in the category. A leader as well. Especially now with a high fashion version with Gucci. Oura is well financed with a recent undisclosed round adding to the $148 million gathered in 2020 and 2021.

Precise temperature — Oura was and is a useful tool in pandemic times.

News 2: Circular with a gold version

Presented at Paris digital show VivaTech Circular is a ring that measures health basics — easier with a ring than a watch. Activity tracking, sleep tracking, energy monitoring, recovery. Adding recommendation and even an alarm clock for an action. Results are linked to an app with a dashboard. Opinion: Circular has worked on the inconvenience of smart rings. First, finding one’s size… they provide a sizing kit. Second, low on fashion… they provide with a removable outer “ring shell” to change effects and colours of the accessoire. In fact, Circular even offers a golden outer shell.

Circular has done its UX job!

News 3: British born McLear ring for payment

Selling proposition for the British ring version is payment, with NFC payment. Called McLear the company founder originally launched the first NFC ring back in 2013. John McLear being one of the founders. Opinion: McLear positions itself above all for payment with NFC, and no charging. RingPay is the main product with a premium version with cashbacks called Ringpay +.

McLear doesn’t “play” the tech start-up game, got financed in 2017 and lives the normal life of a normal company.