We all have an internal monologue – a constant stream of thoughts, ideas, and reminders buzzing in our minds. But much of this valuable information vanishes as quickly as it appears. Enter Stream Ring, a new smart ring developed by Sandbar, aiming to quietly capture these thoughts and organize them for later review. Led by Mina Fahmi and Kirak Hong, both veterans of CTRL-Labs and Meta, Sandbar has raised $13 million in venture funding to bring this innovative device to market.
How It Works: “A Mouse for Voice”
The Stream Ring, worn on the index finger, provides a discreet and intuitive way to capture thoughts. By raising your hand and speaking into the ring, you can record your ideas, even in noisy environments thanks to its quiet operation. Importantly, it doesn’s store audio recordings; instead, the ring transcribes your words into text, accessible through the Stream app.
“We think of this as the mouse for voice,” explains Fahmi. “It solves many of the challenges of voice interaction, allowing you to interact with AI immediately without a wake word.”
Key Features & Functionality
- Voice Transcription: The ring features a capacitive sensor, allowing for recording with a simple tap-and-hold gesture, minimizing interruptions.
- Media Control: It functions as a media controller, allowing for pausing/playing music, skipping tracks, and adjusting volume with simple taps and swipes.
- Personalized Voice Assistant: During setup, the ring uses generative AI from ElevenLabs to create a voice assistant that mimics your own voice, creating a surprisingly natural interaction. Users can also choose from alternative voices.
- Offline Access: If Sandbar’s servers go offline, the ring still functions as a media controller, preventing the device from becoming obsolete.
- Thought Extension: It aims to be a “self-extension,” designed to feel like you’re talking to yourself, helping to build ideas and organizing thoughts.
From Scattered Thoughts to Organized Notes
Imagine brainstorming a Kerala chicken curry recipe—ask the Stream Ring for the ingredients, then add them to a shopping list. Later, while at the grocery store, use the ring to remind yourself of your needs and cross off items as you shop, receiving subtle haptic feedback to confirm your actions.
The Stream Ring isn’t just about grocery lists, though. Fahmi envisions it as a tool that sits between a notes app and an AI chatbot, allowing you to riff on ideas, prepare for meetings, or even work through creative writing projects.
Technology Behind the Ring
Stream is powered by a mix of large language models, selecting the best tool for each task. It leverages on-device processing on the ring itself, some processing on your connected smartphone, and cloud-based resources. Responses from the AI assistant will closely resemble your own voice, adding a uniquely personal touch to the experience.
Usage Patterns
Early testing reveals interesting usage patterns:
- 20% Note Creation: Users primarily utilize the ring to create notes and save ideas.
- 20% Single Queries: A portion of usage involves asking simple, focused questions.
- 60% Conversation: The majority of testers engage in back-and-forth conversations with the ring, exploring topics in a more conversational manner.
Addressing Concerns About AI
Given recent concerns about AI psychosis and misuse, Sandbar emphasizes user control. The Stream Ring is not an always-listening device; users initiate interactions. “You have to be in control; you can’t just ambiently record everything,” says Fahmi.
Sandbar aims to avoid creating a “friend” or “assistant” by building an emotionally intelligent tool with no defined identity and no intent of its own. The company invests in evaluations to simulate interactions, ensuring the ring’s “character” is curious, compassionate, and concise. Users will also have control over data shared with the ring, allowing for transparency and autonomy.
The Future of Thought Management
Stream Ring represents a novel approach to thought management and personal AI. By providing a discreet and intuitive way to capture, organize, and interact with our thoughts, Sandbar aims to empower users to become more productive, creative, and self-aware. With its focus on user control, transparent data practices, and a unique personal voice assistant, Stream Ring has the potential to change how we interact with our own thoughts and the world around us.
