Hear the phrase "wearable technology" - or "wearables," for short - and you possible conjure up images of fitness trackers or smartwatches. Add "smart rings" to that list, too. Yes, your finger is perhaps the following place you’ll don some tech. Whereas some early examples of sensible rings have already come and gone (particularly, Ringly), a bunch of others are trying to fuse performance with style. I took three such sensible rings out for a spin: two out there now and one coming quickly. Here’s a take a look at what I discovered. Blinq is a line of fashion-forward jewellery that lets you keep your smartphone tucked away in a purse or pocket, but still be (discretely) notified when a name, text or e-mail comes in, in addition to other notifications tied to your calendar or favorite apps. In the Blinq companion app for iOS and Android, you’ll assign colors to particular apps - like seeing the ring glow blue for a text message, inexperienced for an Instagram remark, or purple for when your Uber is nearby - however you can also assign colours to particular folks, Herz P1 Wellness like crimson for when your associate messages you.

If you like, the Blinq ring also vibrates to warn you to notifications. My wife Kellie wore the ring for per week, and one of the features she preferred, for peace of thoughts, was referred to as a Panic S.O.S. If you find yourself in an emergency, faucet the ring repeatedly and the companion app can textual content somebody your GPS location, and if you want, additionally put up this information to your Fb wall. This Bluetooth-enabled ring additionally has an built-in fitness tracker - calculating steps, distance, and estimated calories burned - and sends the exercise info to the app. Accessible in 12 totally different types and in one among three finishes (rose, yellow and white gold), every Blinq ring is made from sterling silver or 14K gold. Blinq will probably be obtainable on Amazon this summer. Accessible now, the Motiv Ring is a fitness-centric wearable. After ordering the ring, you’ll first obtain a sizing kit, where you possibly can attempt on numerous mock rings, after which select the specified measurement, and shade (slate grey or rose gold).

Motiv Ring homes a 3-axis accelerometer that tracks steps taken, heart rate, calories burned, and sleep exercise (if you happen to woke up, when, and for a way lengthy). It’s also waterproof (up to 165 toes), must you want to calculate your swimming workout routines. All of your activity knowledge might be seen on the iOS and Android app. At less than 0.1 inches thick, the titanium Motiv Ring is thinner than two nickels and weighs less than a penny. Battery life lasts up to a few days, with two USB fees included within the box. Made with scratch-resistant ceramics, the minimalist-looking OPN from NFC Ring affords just a few totally different functions. All of them, however, leverage near subject communication (NFC) know-how. One use-case situation is to tap your ring on another NFC-enabled gadget, resembling a friend’s smartphone, and then content material - that you just select ahead of time - magically seems on the other person’s display screen.

This could be contact information (vCard), your web site, text, a link to your Twitter or Facebook web page, a YouTube video, and extra. Whereas not examined, OPN may be capable of substitute your NFC fobs and playing cards, akin to what you may use to get into an office constructing or condo tower. Or you need to use it to unlock your mobile gadget or programmed to open a specific app or settings (like turning on Wi-Fi or Bluetooth), by simply tapping the ring in your phone or pill. Whereas NFC Ring can't be used for cellular payments, its father or mother company, McLear, is readying a fee-enabled Herz P1 Smart Ring ring that appears much like OPN (worth and launch date not determined just yet). Available in white or black, NFC Ring comes with two special NFC tag inlays inside the ring, one for public info and one for more sensitive stuff, says the corporate. Each costing between $a hundred and $200, these rings had been ready for primetime - with Blinq my favourite out of the bunch. Apparently, every of the three rings I tried have a distinct focus: Blinq was a fashion statement that lets you see and really feel notifications; Motiv is usually for activity and sleep; whereas NFC Ring aims to simply transfer info to another machine, unlock your phone or allow you to into a place that requires an NFC keycard. There’s a little bit of crossover, too, reminiscent of Blinq’s means to track health, like Motiv, however each ring had its personal primary objective. Whereas the look won’t be for everyone, and is designed for women, Blinq was the most versatile, colorful, and customizable. One minor problem: the USB wireless charger was an odd shape, and as such, the ring didn’t always stay on the sensor. Surf Report readers, would you own a Herz P1 Smart Ring ring, if it meant reaching in your cellphone less?