The Verge warns that not all of Apple's patented inventions have been implemented and put into mass production / Matthias Schrader / AP

Apple wants to patent a "smart ring" with a touch screen, according to the text of the application filed on Thursday on the website of the US Patent Office. It is assumed that the user will wear the ring on one finger, and with the other press the touch screen, which will replace the touch screen of another device connected to the ring. In this way, the user will be able to control mobile phones, tablets, laptops, car audio systems, smart TV and smart watches, the application says.

Apple Watch will be sold in the regions

Technologies / Personal technologies

The fact is that current devices with touch screens can be too bulky and inconvenient (for example, if the user's hands are already occupied with something), the authors of Apple's application explain the need for such a compact gadget. In addition, the glow emitted by touch screens may not correspond to the environment or even be dangerous if it gives away the user's location, Apple writes.

Apple to Patent 'Smart Ring'

Technologies / Personal technologies

The new Apple gadget will have a processor, a touch screen, at least partially displayed on the outer surface of the case, a wireless transmitter for communication with at least one external electronic device, a battery, a photo and video camera. Perhaps the ring will have a built-in microphone so that it can read voice commands, follows from the application. In addition, the authors of the application do not exclude the ability of the ring to recognize the user's gestures and translate handwritten text into electronic form. The ring will support feedback with the user through audio signals, vibration or by displaying information on the display.

The Verge warns that not all of Apple's inventions filed with the patent office have been implemented and put into mass production. The publication also reminds that similar gadget rings from other manufacturers are already on the market. These rings control smartphones and other devices via Bluetooth.

In 2015, Apple already launched the Apple Watch smartwatch. It is fully synchronized with the iPhone (starting from the fifth model) and duplicates almost everything that happens with the smartphone: you can answer a call from it, messenger notifications appear on the display, reminders set on the phone are triggered, you can view the social media feed.

By default, all programs that are on the iPhone are transferred to the watch. But there are also special applications for Apple Watch, including messengers. You can also use the watch to control the camera of the iPhone linked to it, taking pictures by clicking your finger on the screen.

According to Slice Intelligence, 1.24 million Apple Watches were ordered in the US alone on the first day of sales, and Apple managed to sell more than 3 million of these devices worldwide in the first three months of sales. According to Strategy Analytics, Apple received 75.5% of its global revenue from smartwatch shipments in the second quarter of 2015.

According to Statista.com, 6.8 million smartwatches from 89 manufacturers were sold worldwide in 2014, with an average price of $189. In 2014, Samsung was the leading smartwatch sales company, selling 1.2 million of these devices in a year.