Voice-based AI gadgets are booming, from pendants and badges to smart wristbands and now, a ring. Sandbar, a startup formed by former Meta interface designers, has introduced Stream, a voice-enabled smart ring designed for quick idea capture and subtle AI interactions. The company describes it as “a mouse for voice,” capable of taking notes, controlling music, and interfacing with AI assistants without pulling out a phone.
Sandbar CEO Mina Fahmi previously worked on next-generation interfaces at Kernel and Magic Leap, while CTO Kirak Hong joined from Google and CTRL-Labs, whose neuro-wearable tech Meta acquired in 2019. The pair saw an opportunity as large language models matured: capturing spontaneous thoughts without breaking focus or speaking aloud in public.
Stream is worn on the index finger and features built-in microphones plus a touchpad. The mic stays off until the user presses and holds, enabling quiet whisper input for transcription through a companion iOS app. Fahmi says the goal is to support thinking in motion — while walking, commuting, or brainstorming without the friction of unlocking an app or speaking loudly to earbuds.
Stream joins a crowded wave of new AI companions, but Sandbar is betting that a more natural, lightweight interface will differentiate its approach.
