Ex-Meta Team Launches Sandbar: A Smart Ring for Voice Notes and Music Control
A new wave of voice-activated hardware is emerging, aiming to enhance companionship, productivity, and personal development. Among the latest entries is Sandbar, a startup co-founded by former Meta employees, Mina Fahmi and Kirak Hong, who have developed a unique smart ring called Stream. Marketed as “a mouse for voice,” this innovative device allows users to take notes, interact with AI assistants, and manage music seamlessly.
Fahmi, who boasts significant experience in human-computer interface design, previously contributed to projects at Kernel and Magic Leap. His co-founder, Hong, has a background with tech giants like Google and CTRL-Labs, which was acquired by Meta in 2019. Their work at these companies has fueled advancements in smart wearables, now culminating in the creation of Stream.
The Stream ring is designed for wear on the dominant hand’s index finger and is equipped with microphones and a touchpad interface. In a recent virtual demonstration, Fahmi showcased the ring’s capabilities by recording thoughts simply by pressing and holding the touchpad, activating the microphone only during that gesture. This feature ensures that the device captures even the faintest whispers, transcribing them directly into its companion iOS app.
Key features of the Stream app include:
- AI Chatbot Integration: Converses with users as they record thoughts.
- Dynamic Note Organization: Users can edit notes collaboratively with the AI.
- Intuitive Navigation: Allows users to review discussions over extended periods via pinch-to-zoom functionality.
- Personalized Voice Feedback: The AI assistant’s voice adjusts to resonate more closely with the user.
In environments with noise, users can utilize headphones for private conversations with the assistant. The ring’s flat surface also acts as a media controller, enabling functions such as play, pause, skip, and volume adjustment, ensuring convenience even in busy situations.
Preorders for the Stream ring will commence on Wednesday, with pricing set at $249 for the silver option and $299 for gold. The company anticipates shipping to start next summer. Notably, Sandbar offers a Pro subscription—complimentary for the first three months for early adopters—then transitioning to $10 monthly for unlimited chats, notes, and early feature access.
Fahmi emphasized Sandbar’s commitment to user data privacy, featuring encryption both at rest and in transit while supporting data export to third-party apps like Notion. The startup has successfully secured $13 million in funding from notable investors including True Ventures and Upfront Ventures.
As competition intensifies in the voice-AI hardware sector, with various companies exploring innovative rings, Sandbar’s Stream positions itself not merely as another assistant but as a sophisticated interface designed for expert expression and creativity. The company must demonstrate how its smart ring truly enhances user experience, offering unique advantages over existing products such as pendants and wristbands.
