Smarty Ring
December 19, 2013There was some buzz recently about a “Smarty Ring.” As of now, they’ve raised $300k of an original $40k target.
I’m not sure what it was that struck me as silly. Was it that it’s another very small first world problem being solved? Or that it’s another piece of metal and plastic that exists?
While those things have varying degrees of annoyance that could be lent to them, I think what really bothered me was actually the design and concept itself.
Rings are an interesting piece of jewelry. They’re likely the simplest piece of jewelry out there (and I’m no jewelry expert), but they’re also used as the most meaningful: wedding rings, engagement rings, championship rings. Other jewelry really doesn’t compare to them. Well, maybe crowns, but those are just glorified hats anyway.
With a ring being so inherently simple, why would you make it so complicated?
I don’t mean complicated in that it serves a function, but why would you add a screen? And a screen that just looks complicated for the sake of being complicated? It’s a case of lazy design.
If I were to ever have a “smart ring” I would try to avoid a screen. Screens are meant for more meaningful information than just a row of icons.
If I were to design such a ring I’d make it a simple band available in a variety of colors with no discernible display. Even go for a brushed aluminum look for the fancy crowd (and Apple or Jony Ive fans). A quick vibrate for a text, email or similar push notification and a long, steady vibrate for a phone call would serve for notifications.
Having a display or any kind of lighting instantly adds to the weight and size of the device, when all it should really be is a slightly more advanced version of the simplest piece of jewelry that exists.
It would have Bluetooth integration with computers and smartphones so you’d receive the appropriate proximity notifications depending on the devices that are connected.
Even then it still seems pretty useless.
But it could be much cheaper. Though still probably useless. Though I kind of want one now.
