3 Minutes
Samsung appears to be expanding the Galaxy Ring's role beyond simple phone controls. A recent app update hints that the smart ring could be used to navigate XR devices — potentially letting you control a headset or future AR glasses with discreet gestures.
Code leak points to a "ring gesture for glasses"
In the latest Galaxy Ring Manager app update for Android, developers spotted a string referencing a "ring gesture for glasses." That wording is notable: it doesn't say "headset" specifically, which opens the door for compatibility not only with the Galaxy XR headset Samsung launched last month but also with future Galaxy XR glasses.
Why does this matter? Imagine navigating an XR UI without reaching for a controller or fumbling with touchpads — the ring could offer a subtle and intuitive way to interact with virtual interfaces while keeping your hands mostly free.
What the Ring already does — and what that implies
The Galaxy Ring isn't new to gesture-based shortcuts. Currently, users can perform actions like taking photos or silencing alarms with a double-pinch. Translating that low-latency, simple input to an XR environment is technically straightforward: the same gestures could be mapped to menu navigation, selecting items, or triggering shortcuts inside immersive apps.
- Double-pinch: quick selection or confirmation in XR.
- Single tap or twist: menu navigation or toggling modes.
- Combinations or long-press: system-level actions like muting audio or returning home.
Samsung also filed patents earlier this year describing multi-screen control via the Ring, and the new app strings suggest the company is serious about that vision. Bringing the Ring into the XR ecosystem would make it a more versatile wearable controller across phones, tablets, and mixed-reality devices.
When could this land on your wrist?
At present, there's no official timeline. The code sample and prior patents show intent, but Samsung hasn't announced a launch date for ring-based XR controls. The company has said it will expand Galaxy XR availability next year — it's reasonable to expect related software updates or new Ring features to follow as the ecosystem grows.
For now, keep an eye on app updates and firmware releases. If Samsung rolls this out, the Galaxy Ring could quietly become one of the most convenient ways to interact with XR hardware — small, wearable, and surprisingly powerful.
Source: gsmarena
Leave a Comment