Ultrahuman has launched PowerPlugs, a new app-style service within the smart ring maker's app.
PowerPlugs enable users to opt into features and add them to the Ultrahuman app experience.
Some PowerPlugs will be paid-for, and others free, but launch examples include include mini-apps for circadian rhythm insights, pregnancy mode, Vitamin D, weight loss, jetlag, and more.
As part of the new service, it’s launching AFib detection, which will scan users’ heart rates during sleep to look for signs of an irregular heart rate.
This feature has become commonplace on wearables via ECG features. Like Apple and Fitbit, Ultrahuman claims it can sense AFib from the PPG sensor.
The company is also opening up its APIs to developers to create their own PowerPlugs.
Developers can get access to raw PPG, accelerometer, and temperature sensor data streams from the Ring AIR. They can build bespoke algorithms on top of these data streams using UltraSignal, Ultrahuman Ring AIR’s developer platform.
Ultrahuman has been busy releasing new features for its Ring AIR over the last year, and enabling third parties to create experiences could enrich its platform.
It’s a different strategy from Oura, whose integrations library simply enables users to transfer data within apps rather than developing within the ecosystem.
Standalone brands haven’t had much luck in luring developers to platforms. Samsung effectively gave up on Tizen, and Huawei has had to develop its own apps and services. So we’re not holding out hope that Ultrahuman will be bristling with big-name third-party apps, but it’s off to a good start.
