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The smart ring industry is witnessing remarkable advancements, with emerging competitors challenging established names like Oura and the new Galaxy Ring from Samsung. Among these innovators, Circular is making strides with its upcoming Circular Ring 2, slated for release later this year.
Pre-orders for the Circular Ring 2 are currently being accepted on Kickstarter, and the campaign has already amassed over $1 million in financial support. This momentum is further bolstered by the announcement of two significant health-monitoring features that will enhance the ring’s functionality: blood pressure monitoring and blood glucose trend tracking. These capabilities are set to arrive via over-the-air updates in late 2025 and 2026, respectively, potentially redefining the capabilities of smart rings.
Monitoring Blood Pressure with Precision
Tracking blood pressure through wearable devices poses significant challenges. Most smart wearables rely on photoplethysmography (PPG) sensors for estimations, which often lack accuracy. However, Circular claims that the Circular Ring 2 will utilize a novel method by integrating electrocardiogram (ECG) technology alongside PPG sensors. This combination is aimed at providing more precise estimations of blood pressure through Pulse Transit Time (PTT), which measures how quickly blood flows through the arteries.
Users can expect to obtain quick readings, lasting anywhere from 30 seconds to two minutes, to gain insights into how various lifestyle choices—such as diet, exercise, and stress—affect their blood pressure. This feature is anticipated to be operational by the close of 2025 through an OTA update.
Revolutionizing Blood Glucose Tracking
Circular’s ambition doesn’t stop at blood pressure; the company also intends to roll out non-invasive blood glucose trend tracking with a software update planned for late 2026. This innovative approach employs light reflection techniques analyzed through PPG sensors, combined with advanced machine learning algorithms, to enable users to monitor glucose levels without invasive procedures like finger pricking or continuous glucose monitors (CGMs).
It’s essential to note that while this feature is promising, Circular is clear that it should not be viewed as a replacement for medical-grade glucose monitoring, particularly for individuals with diabetes. Instead, it aims to provide users with valuable trends and insights regarding how factors such as diet, sleep, and physical activity influence their glucose levels, with recommendations to take readings at regular intervals for the best tracking results.
Looking Ahead With Caution
Although these advancements are exciting, there is an underlying skepticism that accompanies future feature promises. The tech landscape is littered with examples of companies that have proposed ambitious features, only to fail or delay implementations indefinitely. Therefore, consumers should approach the Circular Ring 2 with discernment, evaluating the device based on its current capabilities rather than future possibilities. Even if Circular successfully integrates blood pressure and glucose monitoring, their real-world effectiveness will be critical to assess.
Nonetheless, the very possibility of such features is noteworthy. Currently, mainstream smartwatches, including industry leaders like the Apple Watch and Pixel Watch, do not offer robust blood pressure or glucose trend tracking, positioning Circular’s claims in a unique spot within a burgeoning market eager for innovation.
Source
www.androidauthority.com