Former Meta neural interface engineers just launched something that could reshape how we capture fleeting thoughts. The Stream Ring from startup Sandbar promises to record and transcribe your whispered notes in any setting, with preorders starting at $249 and shipping summer 2026. It's the latest AI wearable aiming to make our devices disappear while keeping us constantly connected.
The AI wearable space just got another major player, and this one's coming from some serious pedigree. Sandbar, founded by former employees of the neural interface startup CTRL-Labs that Meta acquired in 2019, just opened preorders for their Stream Ring - an AI-powered smart ring that promises to capture your thoughts the moment they happen.
While competitors like the Friend pendant and Amazon's Bee wristband have grabbed headlines, Stream Ring takes a different approach entirely. The device is designed for what Sandbar calls "self extension" - letting wearers whisper notes to themselves in crowds without anyone noticing.
The pitch is compelling: press a button on the ring's aluminum exterior, whisper your thought, and the device records and transcribes everything to a companion iOS app. From these recordings, the AI creates organized notes and can even engage you in conversation through a personalized chatbot. But here's the twist - the "Inner Voice" chatbot actually sounds like you, built from voice samples collected during setup.
This isn't just another voice recorder with AI slapped on. The Stream Ring doubles as a music controller, though Sandbar hasn't detailed whether it streams directly or connects to phone apps. Users control playback through capacitive touch - one tap pauses, two taps skip tracks, and swiping adjusts volume. The water-resistant aluminum and black resin design includes strategically placed microphone holes and haptic feedback.
The timing couldn't be better for Sandbar. The AI wearable market is heating up as companies race to find the perfect form factor for ambient computing. While Meta pushes forward with its Ray-Ban smart glasses, and Apple reportedly works on its own wearable AI, the ring format offers something unique - complete discretion.
"The microphone is not always listening," assures users, addressing privacy concerns that have plagued other AI wearables. Data encryption comes standard, and the button-activated recording system means you control exactly when the device is paying attention.