Key Takeaways
1. Circular Ring 2 launched on Kickstarter, with the first 1,000 units shipped after a successful campaign.
2. The ring is priced at $249, making it more affordable than the Oura Gen 4, which costs $349.
3. It offers advanced features like ECG, blood pressure, and estimated blood sugar level measurements.
4. Blood pressure and blood sugar features now require payment through microtransactions or “Circular Coins.”
5. Circular Ring 2’s core features remain free, and users can earn Circular Coins through regular use of the ring.
Circular Ring 2 was funded through Kickstarter in the spring, and last week, the first 1,000 units were shipped to supporters. The ring was priced starting at $249 during the campaign, making it much more affordable compared to the Oura Gen 4, which retails for $349 on Amazon.
Advanced Features
The main aim was to surpass rival products by offering more analytics: the ring claims to perform electrocardiograms (ECG) and assess blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Blood pressure is measured using a heart rate sensor and ECG, much like the Samsung Galaxy Watch8, which likely means it will need calibration with a standard measuring device. The blood sugar level is merely “estimated,” so the information it gathers can only serve as a rough guideline.
Subscription Concerns
Although Circular Ring 2 was marketed during the Kickstarter campaign as not needing a subscription, the two standout features—blood pressure and blood sugar measurements—are now behind a paywall. To access these features, users must engage in microtransactions or spend “Circular Coins.”
As these features are set to be available only after an update anticipated at the end of the year, it’s still uncertain how much they will cost. Backers expressed their frustrations in the Kickstarter comments, noting that Circular Ring 2 was originally promoted without any ongoing fees. In response, Circular emphasized in a statement that the 13 “core features” of the ring remain free, and users can also “earn” Circular Coins by using the ring without any additional spending.
Source:
Link
