Ex-Meta employees just dropped a smart ring that listens to you

Two former Meta employees have launched a futuristic gadget that could change how we interact with technology, a sleek AI-powered ring called “Stream” that can take voice notes, control music, and even act as a personal thought recorder.

The startup behind it, Sandbar, calls the device “a mouse for voice.” It’s designed to let users capture fleeting thoughts, interact with AI assistants, and control their devices without ever reaching for a phone.

Sandbar’s CEO, Mina Fahmi, and CTO, Kirak Hong, both previously worked on advanced interface design projects at Meta after their former company, CTRL-Labs, was acquired in 2019.

Their experience in neural interfaces and human-computer interaction helped shape Stream’s minimalist design.

Fahmi noted that the idea came from frustration with traditional note-taking apps. “Most of my ideas come when I’m walking or commuting,” he said.

“I didn’t want to shout into my earbuds or fumble with a phone, I wanted something more natural.”

Notably, Stream is worn on the index finger and features built-in microphones and a touchpad. Users simply press and hold the ring to record thoughts, with the mic activating only during that gesture.

The ring can pick up even faint whispers, transcribing them into the companion iOS app.