Wearables news roundup #27: Oura, Apple ring, Garmin Micro-LED
Wearables news roundup #27: Oura, Apple ring, Garmin Micro-LED
A quick catch up on the week in wearables
Welcome back to our weekly wearables news round-up. And welcome to our new subscribers this week.
This week we have news dropping from Garmin, Oura, Meta and Apple – all of which could have big significance to the world of wearables.
Let’s dive right in.
💍 Oura nets $96M US defense contract
Hot on the heels of the Oura Ring 4 launch, the company has signed a massive defense contract with the Pentagon.
The Pentagon has awarded a $96 million contract to Oura for providing smart rings and wellbeing services to military personnel.
The Oura rings will help monitor physiological metrics like stress, recovery, and overall wellbeing, in addition to individual health tracking. The Pentagon will also analyze data to offer broader insights into the wellbeing of its workforce.
Besides biometric monitoring, Oura will deliver services such as high-performance medicine, mindfulness training, leadership coaching, and peer-to-peer support.
These services are designed to enhance resilience and workforce readiness, particularly under stressful conditions. The contract covers a 12-month period and is part of the Department of Defense’s ongoing efforts to integrate advanced health monitoring technologies into its operations.
Read below for last week’s PULSE by Wareable, where we examine the impact of the Oura Ring 4 and the challenges ahead for the smart ring incumbent.
🚶♀️Whoop Adds Step Count, Despite Saying It Never Would
If you Google “Whoop step count,” you’ll find a combative post by the company about why it doesn’t count steps.
“Simply put, no, it doesn’t [count steps]. Counting the number of steps you take ignores two very important elements of exercise: intensity and other movements,” the blog post reads.
But in a huge about-turn, it seems that Whoop will now count steps.
Whoop teased fans with a cryptic X.com post, hinting that steps would now be added to the app. A screenshot circulating online, not only shows step counting within the Whoop app but also the ability to set step goals, too.
It’s a significant change in tone, perhaps reflecting Whoop’s gradual shift towards the mainstream user.
I’ve been writing about Whoop this week, including this op-ed about how my love for Whoop is starting to wane due to fatigue over its tracking and a lack of feedback on my personal goals. You can read that here.
💍 Gurman Quashes Apple Smart Ring Hopes
Those waiting for an Apple Smart Ring might be disappointed, according to a new report by the ever-connected Mark Gurman.
In his paid newsletter, Gurman states that Apple has no plans to release a smart ring—even as the space heats up.
Gurman says that Apple believes a smart ring would “detract from the Apple Watch” and could “cannibalize” sales.
This aligns with comments from PULSE by Wareable by Dhaval Patel, an ex-Apple exec and smart ring startup founder. He told PULSE:
“I have to be careful what I say because I was in leadership meetings, and to some degree, I know the roadmap. I would say it wouldn't make sense for Apple to do in a ring what they do in a watch.
“It wouldn't make sense because the watch—for all its disadvantages—has the advantage of being bigger than a smart ring. And so you can pack more features into it.
“So, at least for Apple, it wouldn't make sense to do that in a ring form factor while they still have the watch. It would be like making a tiny phone while they have the iPhone.
“It would only make sense if they can do something completely different that has never been done before, or even exists, and it truly helps people. I mean, that's what Apple takes pride in as its brand.”
This new information comes at odds with the CCS Insight predictions report that states:
“Apple launches a smart ring by 2026. Following the success of the Oura Ring and Samsung's debut of the Galaxy Ring, Apple launches a ring device. Given the company's long-held interest in personal health and well-being, the ring is a natural extension of its product line. Apple's brand allure and design strength prompt strong demand from consumers. Additionally, the product aligns well with the company's growing commitment to gesture-based user interface models.”
⌚️ Garmin to launch Fenix 8 MicroLED
The Garmin Fenix 8 has just launched (and got a rave review here at Wareable) but a new version could be on the way, according to an interesting leak.
The Fenix 8 MicroLED was spotted by watch face developers among lists of new models compatible with Connect IQ app uploads.
Developer leaks suggest Garmin is preparing to launch two new watches, including a Fenix 8 with a MicroLED display.
The Fenix 8 MicroLED should promise better energy efficiency, extending battery life without sacrificing brightness or screen performance.
MicroLED technology has been talked about plenty during the past few years, and every new Apple Watch generation is touted to use the screen tech. Its allure is the ability to offer excellent visuals with significantly lower power draw.
Skeptics would point out that Apple has not yet deemed it ready to land on its watches, but that could be due to the economies involved. Garmin would have few qualms about charging a huge sum for a Fenix 8 MicroLED—and it theoretically could retail for over $1,500.
What will be super interesting for us observers is the battery life gains from MicroLED over AMOLED. Watch this space.
🕶Ray-Ban Meta Update
A new update for Meta's Ray-Ban smart glasses has landed and introduces even more smart features for the connected eyewear.
The Ray-Ban Meta now supports setting reminders and recording voice messages.
These additions aim to enhance the utility of the glasses, allowing users to manage daily tasks such as keeping track of to-do lists and sending voice commands without needing a phone.
The Ray-Ban Meta already has a voice assistant onboard, which is activated by saying “Hey Meta.”
This update is part of Meta’s broader push to integrate AI-driven features into wearable technology. We’ve already seen Meta AI add features to the specs, including real-time assistance, photo captions, and quick search responses.
There are also new partnerships with apps like Spotify and WhatsApp for use on the glasses.