The Future of Wearable AI for Privacy and Creativity

In a world where the tech industry is competing to put their gadgets on the users’ wrist, face, or in their pockets, Sandbar has come up with a different option. A smart ring which does not only sparkle but also listens, learns, and obeys. It’s as if having Alexa, Siri, and a notepad all together in the form of a piece of jewelry. 

If you have ever experienced having a brilliant idea while walking but later lost it because you were busy getting your phone out, then this tiny ring may help save your next million-dollar thought!

Sandbar is the company of two ex-Meta employees who are introducing Stream, which is a smart ring that is capable of taking voice notes, can chat with an AI assistant, and control music through this ring. 

The co-founders Mina Fahmi and Kirak Hong both worked at Meta on interface design and CTRL-Labs respectively, and have thus brought a lot of experience in human-computer interaction to this startup.

Fahmi said,

“A lot of my ideas bubble up when I’m walking or when I’m commuting, and I don’t want to pull out my phone to interrupt that moment. I don’t want to shout into my earbuds where the world can hear me to talk through an idea. Kirak and I were trying to understand what it would take to actually capture a thought the moment it bubbles up. That’s how we came up with Stream”.

“A Mouse for Voice”

Sandbar refers to Stream as “a mouse for voice”. The activation of the ring depends on the touch of the wearer and it gives the users the power to whisper their thoughts privately. The device connects with an iOS app that can perform transcription, organization, and even conversational interaction with the user to help them get more refined notes. 

In addition, the ring also controls media that allows one to play, pause, and even change the volume without taking out their phone.

Privacy, Design and Launch

The ring is worn on the index finger, and has the capacity to provide feedback through vibration. Also, users’ privacy is maintained, as it comes with microphones that are always off when not in use. It can be pre-ordered at the price of $249 (silver) or $299 (gold) and delivery will take place next summer. 

A Pro plan ($10/month) will allow for unlimited notes and quick access to new tools, while all users are given the right to control and encrypt their data completely.

Backing and Industry Context

Sandbar has managed to get $13 million from True Ventures, Upfront Ventures and Betaworks. The backers admire Stream’s minimalistic model, which combines voice and AI without any screens. 

But at the same time the market remains difficult to impress, as competitors like Humane and Rabbit are still finding it hard to bring AI hardware to the common people.

Sandbar’s Stream is not just a tool, instead it is a message that AI can be useful without making a lot of noise. The co-founders made a conscious decision to target privacy (the microphone is turned off by default) and immediacy (voice notes activated with a simple touch), which gives Stream its edge of intelligence. 

Sandbar’s minimalist approach of being incorporated into everyday life makes it a very personal and easy to use product. Still, the challenge is to get people to believe that this is not just a fashionable temporary ring, rather it is a connection between thought and technology. It has the potential to bring a good change in many industries.

Bottom Line

The tech industry has seen its share of failed AI hardware, from Humane’s pin to Rabbit’s pocket AI, but Stream feels like a refreshing wave. It is not a replacement for one’s phone or earbuds, instead it is going to create a very unique and specified place for itself, which is a subtle interface for creativity and control. 

If Sandbar keeps its word, Stream might be the next genius revolution in human-AI interaction, one that slides unnoticeably onto one’s finger and into your daily routine.