Step aside pendants and wristbands, artificial intelligence (AI)-powered wearables have a new shape – a smart ring. Known as the Stream Ring, this revolutionary technology is offered by Sandbar, a company founded by the former staff of neural interface startup CTRL-Labs, now owned by Meta.
The Stream Ring may seem futuristic, but it’s about to become reality with preorders available from Sandbar for silver and gold versions, costing $249 and $299 respectively. The release date is pegged for the summer of 2026, marking another leap forward in wearable technology.
Yet, Stream Ring isn’t simply another fancy piece of jewellery. Sandbar designed it to be an effective tool for “self extension.” Worn on your finger, it’s like a personal assistant, able to “capture your thoughts in the moment.” You can be in the middle of a crowd, simply whisper into it, and the ring will record and transcribe your memo or conversation. It then transforms your spoken words into notes within the accompanying app, initially available on iOS.
The Innovative AI
An intriguing standout feature of the Stream Ring is its personalized AI chatbot which not only asks thoughtful questions but also provides intelligent responses. The fun part? The chatbot, known as the “Inner Voice,” is designed to mimic your voice. Sandbar achieves this by using your recorded voice as a basis during product setup.
Furthermore, Stream Ring triples as a dictaphone and music controller, although Sandbar remains vague on whether the product streams music or simply controls music apps on your phone. This multifunctionality combined with its sleek appearance makes it a promising trendsetter in the wearable tech market.
Design & Functionality
As for Stream Ring’s design, pictures reveal a minimalist and modern smart ring with a shock-resistant aluminium exterior and a comfortable black resin band inside. Adding to its durability is the water-resistant functionality. The ring’s exterior features a slightly elevated platform with an oval-shaped button. Small holes on either side of this enhanced platform capture sound efficiently.
Operating the Stream Ring is just as innovative as its concept. For voice notes, simply press the feature button to activate the microphone. The company guarantees users that Stream Ring respects privacy: it’s never “always listening,” and the data collected is encrypted. Also, the capacitive touch sensors and haptics add to the user-friendly experience. For instance, a single tap can pause or resume a voice recording or play music, two taps skip to the next song, and a swiping gesture controls the volume.
Last but not least, the Stream Ring comes with a convenient charger – a compact flat disc with a U-shaped holder that fits around the ring’s band. Sandbar claims the device’s battery life will last “all day”. The Stream Ring requires no headphones, merely a Bluetooth connection, offering users a seamless experience.
Sandbar also provides a free version of Stream that offers unlimited notes and chats. For those seeking more ‘interactions’ and earlier feature access, the Pro version is available. Early bird preorders will benefit from a three-month pro subscription, which they can choose to extend for $10 per month.
In summary, technology is shrinking ever smaller…and now it fits snugly on your finger. Versatile and discreet, Stream Ring could be the next big thing in the evolution of AI wearables. Exciting times ahead!
Original article: www.theverge.com
