Ex-Meta Team Unveils Stream Smart Ring for Voice Control
Former Meta Employees Launch Innovative Smart Ring
Sandbar, a startup co-founded by ex-Meta employees Mina Fahmi (CEO) and Kirak Hong (CTO), has unveiled Stream, a smart ring designed as a "voice mouse" for seamless idea capture and task management. The device responds to growing demand for hands-free AI interaction tools.
Design and Functionality
The sleek Stream ring is worn on the dominant hand's index finger, featuring:
- High-sensitivity microphone for discreet recording
- Touch panel for controls
- iOS app integration with AI chatbot support
During demonstrations, Fahmi showcased how pressing the touch panel activates recording while maintaining user privacy. Recordings are organized into notes editable by users or AI assistants.
Multi-Purpose Utility
Beyond voice capture, Stream serves as:
- Music controller: Play/pause, skip tracks, adjust volume
- Data-secure platform: Encrypted transmission/storage with export options to apps like Notion
- AI interface: Reduces reliance on smartphones for spontaneous idea capture
Pricing and Availability
The rings are available for pre-order:
- Silver version: $249
- Gold version: $299 Expected shipping begins summer 2026. Early adopters receive a three-month free trial of the Pro subscription ($10/month thereafter), which unlocks unlimited chatting, notes, and feature priority.
Market Positioning
The launch enters a competitive voice-AI hardware sector, with Sandbar differentiating through:
- Discreet form factor
- Multi-modal functionality
- Strong privacy protections
The team emphasizes Stream as an "expression tool" rather than just another assistant.
Key Points:
- Developed by former Meta engineers
- Combines voice recording, music control, and AI interaction
- Ships summer 2026 starting at $249
- Focuses on privacy with encrypted data handling
- Targets professionals needing quick idea capture
