Explored a ring-shaped smart device featuring a display. Surprisingly enjoyed its use beyond my initial anticipation.
The tech world has seen a new contender enter the wearables market with the launch of the Pebble Halo Smart Ring. This innovative device offers a unique blend of features and affordability, setting it apart from other smart rings like those from Samsung and Oura.
Pebble, a company known for its partnerships with tech giants such as Amazon, Meta, and Intel, has expanded its portfolio to include earbuds, smart home devices, speakers, smartwatches, and over two dozen smartwatches. The Pebble Halo Smart Ring is the latest addition to this diverse collection.
## A Comprehensive Package
The Pebble Halo Smart Ring boasts an impressive array of features. It comes equipped with a digital display, health tracking capabilities for heart rate, sleep, and activity levels, gesture controls for interacting with devices, camera control, multiple sports modes, water and dust resistance, and more.
With a battery life of up to 4 days, the Pebble Halo Smart Ring is designed to keep up with your active lifestyle. The launch price of the ring is Rs 3,999 (approximately $45 USD), but it now retails for Rs 7,999 (approximately $95 USD).
## Comparing the Competition
While Samsung has yet to release a smart ring, if it were to, it might include advanced health tracking and seamless integration with Samsung devices. Pricing would likely be competitive with other smartwatches or premium wearables.
The Oura Ring, on the other hand, focuses on detailed health tracking, including sleep stages, heart rate variability, and body temperature. However, it lacks a digital display, relying on a companion app for feedback. The Oura Ring typically starts at around $299 for the basic model, with a battery life of up to 7 days.
## A Viable Alternative to Smartwatches?
The Pebble Halo Smart Ring is a stylish and functional option for those seeking a basic smart wearable with a digital display. It offers enough features to be a viable alternative for basic health tracking and smart functionality, especially for those who do not need the full range of features found in smartwatches.
However, it may not be suitable for users who require advanced health analytics, extensive app support, or direct interactions like typing messages. The Pebble Halo Smart Ring is designed for those who prefer a more discreet wearable device.
## Key Differences
The Pebble Halo Smart Ring stands out in several ways. It is significantly cheaper than the Oura Ring, making it more accessible. It also features a digital display, providing instant feedback on health metrics, and offers gesture controls for device interaction, which is uncommon in smart rings.
## Notable Features
The display of the Pebble Halo smart ring is located on the open side of the palm when worn on the index finger, preventing accidental activation. The ring also has a few built-in game experiences that work via finger gestures.
However, the Pebble Halo smart ring does not have a haptic feedback system or a way to bind the display to notifications. It also lacks an always-on display and requires a healthy few seconds to display heart rate readings.
Other biomarkers, such as heart rate variability, blood oxygen levels, and sleep levels, must be checked in the mobile app's dashboard instead of on the ring's display. The accuracy of heart rate tracking and blood oxygen measurement of the Pebble Halo smart ring is within the 1-2% deviation margin compared to the Apple Watch.
In conclusion, the Pebble Halo Smart Ring is a compelling option for those seeking a basic smart wearable with a digital display. While it may not offer the depth of health insights or app integration that some users might expect from a smartwatch or higher-end smart rings like the Oura, it is a less digitally intrusive and ergonomically convenient way of keeping an eye on vitals compared to smartwatches. The Pebble Halo smart ring is currently up for pre-orders in India, with a price tag of around $100.
The Pebble Halo Smart Ring, a new addition to Pebble's spectrum of gadgets including smartwatches and speakers, offers an intriguing blend of technology and affordability, setting it apart from other smart rings like the Samsung's unlaunched model and the Oura Ring. With its digital display, health tracking features, and gesture controls, the Pebble Halo Smart Ring can be considered a viable alternative to smartwatches for those seeking a discreet, basic smart wearable.
