Apple’s Smart Ring Plans Altered by Vision Pro: What We Know

Before the unveiling of Vision Pro, the rumor mill had already assumed that the device would come with some kind of controller or input device. Perhaps not for every interaction, but as a complement to certain actions or dynamics, such as gaming, for example. The reality is that Vision Pro has arrived, and the interaction system is different from what was expected.

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Who wants a Stylus?

Apple’s first space computer, the Vision Pro, focuses on our gaze and subtle hand gestures to interact with information and content. In a move reminiscent of the original iPhone launch where Steve Jobs famously asked, “Who wants a stylus?”, it seems that Apple is adopting a clear strategy regarding controllers, hand-held devices, and the like.

According to Gurman’s latest edition of his weekly newsletter, Apple had been working on a smart ring as a controller for the Vision Pro, but they changed course and decided to focus on control through eye and hand motion tracking instead of implementing physical peripherals.

While many of us may be curious about what more Apple could have offered with a smart ring, such as sleep monitoring, exercise tracking, or other health metrics, the decision has significant implications. Not only does the Vision Pro leave behind Apple’s own proposed smart ring, but it also forgoes third-party alternatives.

In fact, there was an area that was not covered during the previous WWDC keynote: gaming. The initial version of the Vision Pro may not be the ideal device for virtual reality gamers, especially due to the lack of support for Apple’s VR gaming controllers. However, this seems to be a deliberate decision by the company.

Gurman mentioned yesterday that Apple has no plans to create its own gaming controller for the Vision Pro, nor does it plan to offer support for third-party VR accessories. This approach contrasts with companies like Meta, which provide significant support for VR gaming controllers.

While we are uncertain why Apple abandoned the idea of a smart ring, two hypotheses can be considered. The first is to make interaction with augmented reality as simple and natural as possible, without the need for accessories. This aligns with rumors suggesting that Apple’s long-term goal is to miniaturize the device into something more akin to conventional glasses.

The second hypothesis is to define the purpose of the Vision Pro. While augmented reality gaming has its audience, there are certain considerations to be made. A quick search on YouTube will show the number of hits and falls that these technologies can cause. A fully immersive experience requires some practice and can lead to dizziness and disorientation. That’s why Apple briefly mentioned Apple Arcade and support for the PlayStation DualSense controller, but did not showcase motion controllers or encourage a complete departure from augmented reality to fully virtual experiences.

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The absence of a physical controller may be a consideration for some, especially those accustomed to traditional control schemes. However, given Apple’s confidence in their approach and their track record of shaping technology adoption, it will be fascinating to see how this decision unfolds in the coming years. For now, as we await the iPhone 15 and the official release of iOS 17, we’ll have to wait for the launch of the Vision Pro next year to see what surprises await us.

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