Everyone has an inner monologue. Whether you're commuting on the train, riding a bike, or enjoying a shower, you often find yourself contemplating the day ahead, tasks to tackle, or reflecting on a recent conversation. While these thoughts usually remain in our minds, often forgotten as soon as the train reaches its destination, a new company called Sandbar aims to change that with their innovative product, the Stream Ring. This AI-powered smart ring promises to capture your thoughts, allowing you to revisit them later.
Sandbar has emerged from two years of stealth development, led by co-founders Mina Fahmi and Kirak Hong. Both previously worked at CTRL-Labs and later at Meta, following its acquisition of the neural interface startup. With a successful funding round raising $13 million in venture capital, Sandbar is set to revolutionize how we interact with our thoughts.
The Stream Ring is a sleek smart ring designed to be worn on your index finger. To use it, simply raise your hand and speak into the ring—even a whisper is effective in crowded spaces. Unlike traditional voice recorders, Stream Ring doesn't store audio; instead, it transcribes your spoken words into text, accessible via the accompanying Stream app. “We think of this as the mouse for voice because it solves a lot of challenges of a voice interaction at once,” Fahmi explains during a demonstration in Manhattan. With your phone tucked away and earbuds in, this device allows seamless interaction without the need for a wake word.
The Stream Ring features a capacitive sensor on its flat edge. A simple tap-and-hold allows you to record your thoughts without interruptions from an AI assistant. If the assistant begins to respond, tapping the sensor will silence it. Designed for durability, the ring will be waterproof at launch, ensuring usability in various conditions. Additionally, it functions as a media controller; one tap plays or pauses music, double-tapping skips to the next track, and swiping adjusts the volume. Even if Sandbar were to cease operations, the ring won't become obsolete—it will still serve as a high-quality media controller.
Currently, the Stream Ring does not include health-tracking features common in other smart rings. Instead, Fahmi describes it as a tool that exists between a notes app and an AI chatbot, creating an interface that feels like conversing with yourself to enhance idea generation. “Stream is what we call a self-extension that's meant to feel like you're talking to yourself to help you build ideas,” he explains. Users can effortlessly save notes by requesting Stream to organize their thoughts, whether it's planning a meeting or brainstorming a narrative.
The Stream Ring utilizes several popular large language models, selecting the most appropriate one for each task. It combines on-device processing with smartphone and cloud capabilities. Fahmi assures users of an “all-day” battery life, complemented by a convenient charging dock. While this may be shorter compared to other smart rings that offer extended battery life, the frequent interactions with the Stream Ring justify this design choice. The device facilitates a unique way to track thoughts, allowing users to log meals or workout plans seamlessly.
In a landscape where concerns about AI are rising, Sandbar wants to differentiate the Stream Ring from traditional AI chatbots. Fahmi emphasizes that this device is not always listening; users control when they interact with it. “You have to be in control; you can't just ambiently record everything,” he insists. This approach aims to alleviate fears surrounding AI, positioning the technology as an extension of the user's will rather than a replacement for human creativity.
What if you share personal thoughts with the Stream Ring and seek advice? Sandbar invests in simulating user interactions to ensure that Stream responds appropriately. The goal is to create a “character” that is curious, compassionate, and concise, without a definitive identity. While the responses are personalized based on user input, Fahmi assures that the system will lack opinions or intentions of its own, allowing for a supportive and neutral tool that respects user privacy.
In conclusion, the Stream Ring promises to transform how we engage with our thoughts, making it an essential tool for anyone looking to enhance their productivity and self-reflection. With its innovative design, intuitive controls, and powerful AI capabilities, Sandbar’s offering is poised to reshape the landscape of wearable technology.
