A new player has entered the growing market of voice-based wearable devices as two former Meta employees unveil Stream, a smart ring developed by their startup, Sandbar. The ring, described as “a mouse for voice,” allows users to take notes, interact with AI assistants, and control music playback. Designed with microphones and a touchpad, Stream captures and transcribes spoken thoughts quietly through its companion iOS app, enabling hands-free productivity and idea management on the go.
Sandbar’s CEO, Mina Fahmi, and CTO, Kirak Hong, both have deep roots in human-computer interface design. The pair previously worked at companies like Kernel, Magic Leap, and CTRL-Labs, the latter acquired by Meta in 2019 to advance neural interfaces for wearables.
Fahmi said the idea for Stream came from his desire to capture fleeting thoughts during daily activities without using his phone or speaking aloud. The device activates only when the touchpad is pressed, offering privacy and convenience while recording.
Beyond note-taking, Stream features an AI chatbot for conversation, organization, and idea review. Users can manage thoughts, set reminders, or even review their discussions over time. The app personalizes the assistant’s voice to resemble the user’s and supports haptic feedback for discreet confirmation of actions. The device also functions as a media controller, allowing users to manage music playback or adjust volume hands-free, making it practical for multitasking or commuting.
Pre-orders for Stream open at $249 for silver and $299 for gold, with shipping slated for next summer. Sandbar offers a Pro subscription tier, free for the first three months, providing unlimited chats and early access to new features.
The startup, backed by $13 million in funding from True Ventures, Upfront Ventures, and Betaworks, promises users full data control and encryption. As competition intensifies in the AI wearables market, Sandbar’s challenge will be proving that its ring design can offer greater convenience and privacy than pendants, pins, or wristbands