key takeaways
- The Pebble Index 01 is a minimalist smart ring that lets you capture fleeting thoughts by whispering into a tiny microphone.
- Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky called the ring “external memory for the brain” and said it was designed to be with users at all times.
- Other smart rings, such as those from industry leader Oura, offer a variety of functionality, including health tracking.
In a crowded smart ring market dominated by industry leader Ora, Pebble is taking a different approach and creating a smart ring with a very specific purpose. Rather than an all-in-one fitness tracker, Pebble’s new smart ring does one thing: It intelligently records voice notes, capturing every stray thought and idea.
The ring, called index 01, has a small button connected to a microphone. Users simply have to press the button and record up to a few minutes of audio. Ring then sends the voice note directly to the iPhone or Android device. Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky has called the ring an “external memory for the brain.” promotional video For gadgets.
“The Index 01 is designed to be with you at all times,” Migicovsky said in the video. “It becomes second nature. If you need to remember something, it’s right there.”
Pebble designed the Index 01 to be worn on the index finger, so users can touch the device’s buttons with their thumb to record.
Connected: Samsung’s latest Galaxy gadget aims to ‘see how productive you can be’
Unlike other smart rings, the Index 01 does not require charging, lasting for years on a single battery. It doesn’t record unless a user presses a button, so it doesn’t listen in on private conversations, and it doesn’t require a subscription or an Internet connection. The ring is waterproof, made of stainless steel and comes in three different colors: black, gold and silver.
Currently the index is 01 Available for Pre-order For $75 in US sizes 6 to 13. The price will increase to $99 when the ring begins shipping in March. When the battery runs out, users can send the ring back to the Pebble for recycling.
The Index 01 isn’t the first voice-note ring to hit the market. Last month, Sandbar released this stream ringWhich also uses a press-to-record mic to capture whispered thoughts and feed them into an AI assistant and note-taking app. Stream is significantly more expensive than the Ring Index 01, which sells for $249 for the Silver edition and additionally offers a $10 per month subscription for advanced features like unlimited chat.
The main differentiators of Index 01 are its lack of subscriptions and stripped-down functionality. The ring simply has a microphone, buttons, Bluetooth, and a long-lasting battery.
“Gadgets to me are the simplest expression of technology,” Migicovsky said in the video. “They’re obviously fun, playful and joyful. They don’t take themselves too seriously. Gadgets for me bring a little bit of joy into my life.”
Connected: The CEO of smart ring startup Ora says Apple won’t make its own version
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key takeaways
- The Pebble Index 01 is a minimalist smart ring that lets you capture fleeting thoughts by whispering into a tiny microphone.
- Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky called the ring “external memory for the brain” and said it was designed to be with users at all times.
- Other smart rings, such as those from industry leader Oura, offer a variety of functionality, including health tracking.
In a crowded smart ring market dominated by industry leader Ora, Pebble is taking a different approach and creating a smart ring with a very specific purpose. Rather than an all-in-one fitness tracker, Pebble’s new smart ring does one thing: It intelligently records voice notes, capturing every stray thought and idea.
The ring, called index 01, has a small button connected to a microphone. Users simply have to press the button and record up to a few minutes of audio. Ring then sends the voice note directly to the iPhone or Android device. Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky has called the ring an “external memory for the brain.” promotional video For gadgets.
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