Despite Samsung launching a new influx of Gear S3 smartwatches at IFA 2016, it's reasonable to say that the smartwatch revolution has gone off to a slow start. But watches might not be the only wearable at the end of Samsung's sleeves. A new patent proposes that the company is considering smart rings seriously as well.

Are Smart Rings the New Smartwatches

A patent documented by Samsung demonstrates a tech-filled loop worn on the finger by its user, complete with buttons and sensors, presumably to control other connected devices. Plus and minus buttons on the ring point towards media volume controls, while a set of dots on the underside could indicate some kind of fitness monitoring capacities, such as a heart rate sensor.

As a patent demonstrating a particular configuration, rather than concept functions, it's clearly an area that Samsung's watching out for. A patent is never a surety of a final product, but it's worth exploring what Samsung could be planning for such a device. Truly, Samsung is not dwelling on the limited competition that it has with the smartphones, tablets, and smartwatches, but it opens up a whole new market.

Could the smart ring be used to control Samsung's nascent Gear VR virtual reality experiences?

As a mobile VR viewer, obscuring peripheral vision, a low-profile controller for use on the go could be extremely useful. Samsung's SmartThings IoT home automation hub could be a potential pairing, too.Potential fitness functions aside, however, it's difficult to see why anyone would utilize a smart ring just for smartphone control alone.

Though there's not much competition out there, existing smart rings have hardly been heard of by the general public as of right now. The Mota Kickstarter never got off the ground and the Ring, when it eventually materialized, barely functioned successfully at all.For something a little more familiar, check out Samsung's new Gear S3 smart watches.