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The iRing is real! Though it’s nothing to do with Apple TV …

We admit we’ve enjoyed making fun of Brian White’s claim that the long-rumored Apple television would be controlled by an iRing, not least because he just won’t stop predicting the imminent arrival of the television itself (last we heard he was expecting it at the end of last year).

But now he can take heart from the fact that the iRing actually exists, even if it has nothing to do with Apple television, and looks nothing like the various mockups that did the rounds in the wake of his claims. It can be yours for just $25.

Don’t expect much tech for your twenty-five bucks, however: it’s just a piece of plastic with some printed dots on it.

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

IK Multimedia plans to launch the ring sometime this quarter, initially aimed at DJs for controlling the company’s own music apps. The company does, however, hope that other developers will want to support the device, and is inviting interested parties to contact them.

[youtube=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ya0VkjuShJI&feature=youtu.be]

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Comments

  1. Gregg Mojica - 10 years ago

    Interesting!

  2. MaRico NoHands Spikes - 10 years ago

    Is this made by Apple or third party? If made by Apple I would expect the design to be sleek an not bulky as the pic shows. with third party I expect the blown plastic mold cheap over priced pos. Forget this where is the iPhone 6 rumors?!

    • This is made by us – IK Multimedia. We have been making audio products for 17+ years and have been making mobile music creation accessories an apps from the ground floor too. We have our own factory in Modena, Italy too where we make many of our products (including iRing) as well as research and prototype many too. More about us: http://www.ikmultimedia.com/about-us/

  3. Yiu Yin Yau - 10 years ago

    interesting, but is it really practical?

  4. Larry Phillips - 10 years ago

    i ring is stupid give me accessories that help me work or unwind watching tv. as it is now it trash very disappointed apple invested in this. oh how I miss Steve Jobs………….

  5. bIg HilL - 10 years ago

    what bollocks

Author

Avatar for Ben Lovejoy Ben Lovejoy

Ben Lovejoy is a British technology writer and EU Editor for 9to5Mac. He’s known for his op-eds and diary pieces, exploring his experience of Apple products over time, for a more rounded review. He also writes fiction, with two technothriller novels, a couple of SF shorts and a rom-com!


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