The iRing Arrives! But It’s Plastic, and Won’t Control Your Apple Television Set

The iRing Arrives! But It’s Plastic, and Won’t Control Your Apple Television Set

In the Spring of 2013 we had some fun with analyst Brian White’s claim of an “iRing” that would be used to control the Apple television set that he was predicting would soon be on its way. It turns out he was right about an “iRing.” It’s here, but it’s just nothing like he claimed it would be. It turns out to be a $25 piece of plastic with some dots painted on it.

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IK Multimedia, via 9to5Mac

iRing is a simple double sided ring that fits comfortably between your fingers. On one side is an engraved linear pattern of three dots, on the other is an engraved triangular pattern of dots. iRing uses the front-facing camera on your device and advanced volumetric positioning algorithms to recognize and determine the exact physical location of the ring in relation to the device camera. This precise reading of the physical location of the ring is converted into MIDI control messages that are easily read by your music apps. 

The iRing will be released sometime later this quarter, and IK Multimedia will be initially aiming it at the DJ market, who will use the ring to control the company’s music apps. The company is, however, open to other companies developing apps to work with the iRing.

For more information about the “one ring to jamz them all,” visit the IK Multimedia website.