Latest news with #RingConn
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
ETtech Explainer: Oura vs Ultrahuman—what's at stake in the smart ring patent battle
Finnish healthtech firm Oura has scored an early legal victory in its patent infringement case against Indian startup Ultrahuman and Chinese smart ring brand RingConn. The US International Trade Commission's (ITC) Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) issued an initial ruling on April 26, siding with Oura and stating that both rival products infringe on key elements of its patented smart ring technology. The ruling, first reported by website ZDNet, could lead to an import ban on Ultrahuman and RingConn rings in the US — one of the fastest-growing markets for biometric wearables. ET reported on April 28 that Ultrahuman is in talks with WestBridge Capital for a new funding round after talks with Japanese investor SoftBank fell through. What is Oura alleging? Oura claims that the Ultrahuman Ring and RingConn Smart Ring copied not just the ring form factor, but also the core technology behind its patented sleep and health tracking capabilities. The company filed its complaint in August 2023, citing multiple US patents covering hardware design, sensor integration, and signal processing algorithms. According to a company spokesperson quoted by ZDNet, both competing products infringe on 'every element of every asserted claim' in Oura's intellectual property. Oura has also accused the companies of reverse-engineering its ring by purchasing and disassembling retail units. What did the judge say? In the April 26 initial determination, the ITC judge found that: Both Ultrahuman and RingConn infringed all asserted claims of Oura's valid submitted false evidence, including claims of operating a manufacturing facility in Texas — which was found to be was the only party to present a credible witness during the proceedings. The judge also stated that the US wearables market remains highly competitive, noting that major players like Apple, Samsung, and Fitbit offer a wide range of alternatives to smart rings — undercutting any claim that Oura is attempting to monopolise the space. What happens next? The initial ruling will now be reviewed by the full six-member ITC Commission, which is expected to issue a final determination by September 26, 2024. If the ruling is upheld: The Commission may issue exclusion orders, banning imports of Ultrahuman and RingConn rings into the could also issue cease-and-desist orders, prohibiting sales through ecommerce channels like Amazon or direct-to-consumer websites. Why this matters Founded in 2013, Oura was an early mover in the smart ring space. The Oura Ring Gen3 and its successor offer: Sleep tracking and readiness scoresMenstrual and fertility cycle predictionHeart rate, body temperature, and SpO2 monitoringEarly illness detection via respiratory signals and temperature trends The company has raised over $350 million, with recent product updates including an AI-powered health assistant, a partnership with Dexcom, the acquisition of Finnish metabolic health startup Veri, and the launch of its fourth-generation ring with upgraded sensors. What it means for rivals Ultrahuman, which raised $35 million in late 2023, has expanded rapidly in India and international markets. RingConn, meanwhile, retails heavily in the US through Amazon and its own DTC website. A final ruling against them could curb US sales, deal a blow to expansion plans, and potentially trigger redesigns or licensing discussions. 'We're happy with the initial determination, which validates our position and the strength of our patents,' an Oura spokesperson said on April 29, 2024.
Time of India
02-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
ETtech Explainer: Oura vs Ultrahuman—what's at stake in the smart ring patent battle
Finnish healthtech firm Oura has scored an early legal victory in its patent infringement case against Indian startup Ultrahuman and Chinese smart ring brand RingConn. #Pahalgam Terrorist Attack India's Rafale-M deal may turn up the heat on Pakistan China's support for Pakistan may be all talk, no action India brings grounded choppers back in action amid LoC tensions The US International Trade Commission's (ITC) Administrative Law Judge (ALJ) issued an initial ruling on April 26, siding with Oura and stating that both rival products infringe on key elements of its patented smart ring technology. The ruling, first reported by website ZDNet, could lead to an import ban on Ultrahuman and RingConn rings in the US — one of the fastest-growing markets for biometric wearables. Play Video Pause Skip Backward Skip Forward Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration 0:00 Loaded : 0% 0:00 Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 1x Playback Rate Chapters Chapters Descriptions descriptions off , selected Captions captions settings , opens captions settings dialog captions off , selected Audio Track default , selected Picture-in-Picture Fullscreen This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Text Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Caption Area Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Opacity Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Drop shadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Seniors in the Philippines Can Enjoy Affordable Private Health Insurance! (See List) Local Plan Search Now Undo ET reported on April 28 that Ultrahuman is in talks with WestBridge Capital for a new funding round after talks with Japanese investor SoftBank fell through. What is Oura alleging? Live Events Oura claims that the Ultrahuman Ring and RingConn Smart Ring copied not just the ring form factor, but also the core technology behind its patented sleep and health tracking capabilities. The company filed its complaint in August 2023, citing multiple US patents covering hardware design, sensor integration, and signal processing algorithms. Discover the stories of your interest Blockchain 5 Stories Cyber-safety 7 Stories Fintech 9 Stories E-comm 9 Stories ML 8 Stories Edtech 6 Stories According to a company spokesperson quoted by ZDNet, both competing products infringe on 'every element of every asserted claim' in Oura's intellectual property. Oura has also accused the companies of reverse-engineering its ring by purchasing and disassembling retail units. What did the judge say? In the April 26 initial determination, the ITC judge found that: Both Ultrahuman and RingConn infringed all asserted claims of Oura's valid patents. Ultrahuman submitted false evidence, including claims of operating a manufacturing facility in Texas — which was found to be fabricated. Oura was the only party to present a credible witness during the proceedings. The judge also stated that the US wearables market remains highly competitive, noting that major players like Apple, Samsung, and Fitbit offer a wide range of alternatives to smart rings — undercutting any claim that Oura is attempting to monopolise the space. What happens next? The initial ruling will now be reviewed by the full six-member ITC Commission, which is expected to issue a final determination by September 26, 2024. If the ruling is upheld: The Commission may issue exclusion orders, banning imports of Ultrahuman and RingConn rings into the US. It could also issue cease-and-desist orders, prohibiting sales through ecommerce channels like Amazon or direct-to-consumer websites. Why this matters Founded in 2013, Oura was an early mover in the smart ring space. The Oura Ring Gen3 and its successor offer: Sleep tracking and readiness scores Menstrual and fertility cycle prediction Heart rate, body temperature, and SpO2 monitoring Early illness detection via respiratory signals and temperature trends The company has raised over $350 million, with recent product updates including an AI-powered health assistant, a partnership with Dexcom, the acquisition of Finnish metabolic health startup Veri, and the launch of its fourth-generation ring with upgraded sensors. What it means for rivals Ultrahuman, which raised $35 million in late 2023, has expanded rapidly in India and international markets. RingConn, meanwhile, retails heavily in the US through Amazon and its own DTC website. A final ruling against them could curb US sales, deal a blow to expansion plans, and potentially trigger redesigns or licensing discussions. 'We're happy with the initial determination, which validates our position and the strength of our patents,' an Oura spokesperson said on April 29, 2024.
Telegraph
14-03-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
RingConn smart ring review: can this affordable tracking device help you to create good habits?
Our rating: 7 out of 10 We like: Quick charging App is easy to navigate and informative No subscription needed More affordable than other smart rings We don't like: The ring's design is quite chunky The black version gets scratched easily App isn't as detailed and is slow to sync £289 Buy now Price at Amazon What is the RingConn smart ring? Smart rings are the new kids on the block as far as fitness trackers are concerned. You may have heard of Oura; the RingConn smart ring operates in the same vein, but for £100 less. The first version of the RingConn smart ring was launched in 2021, with their second generation launching in August 2024. The ring is available in three colours and has smart health tracking, which includes sleep and activity data, while also monitoring other metrics including heart rate and blood oxygen levels. The data appears in the RingConn app, giving you breakdowns and goals for sleep, movement and stress levels. More affordable than some of the other smart rings on the market, it comes subscription free. How we test smart rings I wore the tracker daily, day and night, over a couple of months. I slipped it on my right index finger and assessed the design and comfort of this smart tracker – did it stand out on my finger or look like normal jewellery, or was it more of an eye sore? I assessed its health and fitness features, including how well it tracked my sleep, activity levels and vital signs throughout the day. I also looked at the results and if they helped me create good habits or stick to goals, while comparing them against their competitors such as the Oura ring. Design and comfort: 7 out of 10 The reason smart rings have become so popular is that they can hide in plain sight, supposedly looking like a normal piece of jewellery among your other pieces. Well, in theory anyway. I'm not an avid jewellery wearer, and even if I was, the black version of the RingConn that I tried was prominent. It felt chunky on my index finger, with a width of 7.8mm and thickness of 2.6mm. The second generation ring, which came out last year, is a slimmer version and it has a squared-off circle design. At first sight, I wasn't so sure about the design, as I thought it would look odd on my finger, but it definitely grew on me. It also has a waterproof rating of IP68, which means it can withstand water of 1m – so taking it swimming or in the shower is fine, just take it off if you're going diving. Made from durable titanium, it comes in black, gold and silver, and is pretty lightweight. You can also choose a size using the ring sizing kit. Its chunky design meant I always knew it was there, but it was at the gym where I struggled with it the most. I had to take it off when I was lifting weights such as kettlebells or barbells, as the weights meant the ring either dug into my finger or they scratched it, with some of the black PVD coating coming off in my hand after one tricky kettlebell workout. Battery life and Charging: 10 out of 10 The ring's battery takes about 90 minutes to charge, and the app highlights how much charge you have left, although I found it lasted between five and seven days. Like other smart rings, it fits neatly into a portable charging case. The black case looks smart and can be closed, encasing the ring and making it safe to charge, without interruption. This means there's also less risk of knocking it mid charge and losing the ring down the side of a desk or sofa, which I've nearly done when charging the Oura ring, as that charging dock is open. The small blue light on the front of the charging box indicates that it's charging, and once fully charged, the case can be removed from the USB. It has an impressive 150 days worth of charge, which is handy if you travel often, and don't always want to be reliant on a lead. Health and fitness features: 8 out of 10 The adjoining app is easy to download and navigate, connecting via Bluetooth to the ring. The smart ring uses two sensors to track your body temperature, sleep quality and stress levels. The sensors blink red when they are collecting data, which can be seen when you're wearing it and can be a little distracting at times. The ring also uses a 3D accelerometer, which helps to measure your activity levels. Once the data is collected, the stats show up on your 'home' page and can be delved into further. The app isn't as detailed as some other smart rings. I love dissecting stats and seeing how I can improve my sleep or activity levels, so the more detailed the better. At times I found it slow to sync my data too, especially after I'd woken up and when I'd exercised. Like most smart trackers, the sleep section gives you a sleep score, using graphs and rings to illustrate how well you've slept, using factors such as time asleep, heart rate, HRV and sleep stages to contribute to your score. Although it wasn't as personalised as other smart devices on the market, I liked that it also gave you the option to inform the app if your sleep score actually equated to you feeling well rested, with its 'subjective sleep rating'. The app doesn't go into as much detail as the Oura or Whoop app, which both give you a preferred bedtime and a steer on how much activity you should do each day, according to how well you've recovered. However, it did update throughout the day, showing you your activity, steps and how many calories you'd burnt. It's as much as you'd expect from an app which is free unlike the Oura or Whoop, where you have to pay a monthly subscription fee. Accuracy: 7 out of 10 If you want a smart tracker to accurately track your specific exercise then this one isn't for you. Like any basic tracker, it will track any activity (even walking around the office) showing steps, calories burnt and even how long you've moved for that day. However if you're looking for stats on a run or bike ride, it doesn't go into that much detail, and I'd recommend a more advanced smart watch for this. The sleep tracking accuracy was off by around 10 minutes every evening compared to my Whoop, with my deep sleep and REM sleep inaccurate too on some of the evenings I wore both trackers. I was really impressed with the accuracy of the steps counted though. As you're wearing it pretty much all the time, I got a really clear picture of how many steps I really did, even when I wasn't actively exercising and was having a rest day at home. Results: 7 out of 10 Seeing my health stats in the brightly coloured RingConn app everyday, especially the home page, did give me a nice boost. When I slept well, and my sleep score was high it actually made me smile when I woke up. Seeing calories burned and steps increase was good motivation, but I would prefer more reminder notifications in order to reach my goals and create new habits. Every day it gave me a reminder notification about moving, but it wasn't very specific – and I definitely respond better to a little nudge about reaching my goals every day. If you've yet to reach your move goal, the Apple Watch flashes up to remind you around 8pm, meaning you still have time to complete them and you're not left walking round the block at 10pm just to reach your 10K step goal (something I may have been known to do). As the accuracy was off slightly with my sleep stages and stats, I used it as a reference, but didn't rely on it every day, instead looking to other trackers for more personalised data. Overall it gave me a good basic picture of my health, but it wasn't specific or personalised enough for me, so I wouldn't recommend it to someone who loves their data or needs a more detailed picture of their fitness and sleep. Technical specifications How does the midrange smart ring compare to the more popular OURA on price, weight and sleep tracking? Telegraph Verdict: 7 out of 10 This is a great smart ring if you're a newbie to tracking your fitness and health and want to get into good habits – although it would be easy to ignore them if you don't log into the app daily. I didn't find it detailed enough for tracking my fitness, especially particular exercises such as running, where I like to see my speed and where I can improve. But if you're hoping to have a tracker which can hold you accountable for activity and sleep goals, this could be a great choice, as it tracks your progress over the day and then shows you weekly updates. Its sleep tracking, although not as accurate as some other trackers, gives you detailed breakdowns on sleep stages, skin temperature while you sleep and your average heart rate. Two main positives for the ring are that it's a more affordable choice, at around £100 less than the Oura and Samsung Galaxy smart ring, and it has no subscription, which both Oura and the Whoop wearable have, meaning once you've bought it, it's yours for life. Design wise, it felt too chunky, plus the black version I tried scratched too easily, leaving it looking worn out after just a couple of weeks of use.
