I prefer the cleaner look myself so I decompiled the program and edited the images that controlled the ring, I suggested it to the original developer but it doesn't look like it was considered as a option yet..
Still hoping they add it as a option because I really didn't like the ring myself. Maybe you can send developer a request using my attached image as example to see if this opens the doors for the option...
Current set up, been rocking this for awhile
Nova Launcher: Ice Cream Sandwich theme by kovdev
Beautiful Widgets: Google Now weather Skin; Jelly Bean-Light super clock skin
Pulse large widget
The keyboard is Smart Keyboard with a modified Galaxy theme I put together for the app... I modified the color because I perfer a Black keyboard over the dark gray or blue the original Galaxy keyboard them was.