The laptop has long held its position as the king of mobile computing, acting as a perfect fusion between form and function. Both private and public organisations invest enormous resources into these systems, as they offer the ability to accomplish nearly anything on the go as one would at an office. They aren’t the only option in mobile computing, however, especially as our march towards technological miniaturisation creeps ever onward.

Every small computing device holds potential for mobile computing uses, with implications for the future of work and personal applications. We are now beginning to see this at play in the form of smart rings, which take the idea of wearable computers to the limits of small-scale technology.

Otherwise, acting as simple jewellery, these systems could one day become crucial parts of most business operations, should they continue down their current paths.

As Processing Devices

To classify as a mobile computer, a smart ring needs to boast some degree of processing power and application compatibility and support. Several different rings meet these criteria, and while their functionality is still limited, this is to be expected with early-generation devices. Just as the first mobile phones were basic by today’s standards, rings have considerable processing promise, though they have a long way to go.

The biggest problem with smart rings is a by-product of their size and form factor. Printed circuit boards are traditionally flat, making manufacturing ring-style boards a challenge. The smaller space also limits component size, though this will become less of an issue as chip sizes generally become smaller. Newly announced 1.6 nanometre process nodes facilitate this technology, while also helping mitigate ever-present concerns of battery life.

As for what a ring could offer in terms of processing, the physical dimensions mean it could never be a match for even a humble smartphone of the same generation, but this wouldn’t make it useless. What’s more likely is that a ring will serve as a go-between that is compatible with and connects to more powerful hardware, wherein apps installed on the ring might be translated and subsequently run on different devices. This would function as a kind of local-level cloud computing.

In the next ten years, the best we could expect from smart rings processing within the device will likely cap out at web browsers and their more performant software. Online casinos could be a prime example of the upper limit of what to expect. Browsing services like Lucky Ones or Jackpot City, collecting bonuses, and playing games are possible even on less-powerful smartphones and tablets, as well as older computers, so it could be possible on smart rings too. This would require linked peripherals, of course, but such a level of performance one day is not outside the realm of possibility.

Potential in Data Storage

Storing and transporting data is a common concern of many businesses, and this kind of physical transference could illustrate a prime use case for smart rings. Modern microSD cards can hold over a terabyte of data in the space of a single fingernail, so even a system as small as a ring could store significant amounts of business data. The form factor of the NAND technology would have to change, but again, this element will naturally improve as the manufacturing technology evolves more widely.

Aiding in Security

Tying into both the processing and storage potential of smart rings is their natural suitability for biometric security. Leveraging basic pressure sensors and fingerprint scanners that operate when the device is first equipped, users would have a simple and rapid way to log in to secure business systems.

The simple act of placing a hand on a specially designed mouse could provide all the security credentials a business requires. This would eliminate the frustration of forgotten logins and tech support, while also providing the highest level of secure access that only biometrics can offer. The simple act of moving between computers could transfer all the data and programs a worker needs, with a ring acting as a hub for all necessary secure storage components.

The first generations of any new technology are always bumpy and not particularly impressive, but in smart rings, we can already see an enormous number of exciting directions poised for exploration in the future. There’s no question that the technology in these tiny systems will become many times more capable than it is today. It’s only a matter of time and supporting technology which facilitates their use.

Even if it’s just for the simpler components like storage and biometric security, the potential advantages of smart ring technology are too profound to ignore. We doubt they’ll quickly take off in the same manner as smartphones did with the iPhone, but in the right business and applications, these tiny mobile computers might one day become indispensable.