Sandbar, a technology startup founded by former Meta employees, recently released an innovative new product, Stream. This totally rad ring puts users’ “mood” on display and allows for touch-free control of playlists. This revolutionary device transforms how you interact with technology, hands-free and eyes-free, with just your voice. It provides a truly hands-free experience that effortlessly embeds AI into your routine.
The Stream ring work incredibly smooth with a dedicated app. This app features an innovative AI-powered chatbot that guides and motivates users throughout the journaling process as they capture their feelings. This type of interaction provides users an opportunity to quickly build on ideas. They can accomplish this with no need to pick up a phone and break their train of thought. The app’s functionality includes a pinch-to-zoom feature, enabling users to review their discussions over days or weeks, making it easier to reflect on previous thoughts.
Mina Fahmi, Sandbar’s CEO, highlighted the mission that inspired the product. “A lot of my ideas bubble up when I’m walking or when I’m commuting, and I don’t want to pull out my phone to interrupt that moment,” she stated. Kirak and I had just been brainstorming together to get an idea about what it would take to really, truly capture a thought the instant it bubbles up. That’s how we came up with Stream.
The personalization aspect of the app enhances user experience by customizing the chatbot’s voice to sound somewhat similar to the user‘s own voice. This new feature is meant to foster a more personal, human-like interaction so users can more easily connect with the AI.
Stream is available for pre-order now! The exclusive 32GB gold variant will run $299 and the 16GB silver version at $249. Sandbar hopes to start getting the product to market next summer. Digital readers can take advantage of a complimentary three-month trial upon pre-ordering. From there, you can renew to a Pro subscription tier starting at only $10/mo. The Pro tier opens up unlimited chats, notes, and early access to new features, even more expanding the user experience.
Kirak Hong, Sandbar’s CTO, who previously worked at Google and CTRL-Labs, expressed his excitement about integrating AI into a new form factor. I believe most people would agree that voice and AI are a match made in heaven. They all concede that engaging with AI on a phone or laptop seems overkill. The truth is, all you need is your voice. So there needs to be something innovative in a different form factor out there,” he added.
Sandbar has previously raised $13 million in venture funding from high-profile investors, including True Ventures, Upfront Ventures, and Betaworks. With this added capital, the company will be able to continue expanding and improving its technology, as well as improve the marketing and outreach of Stream.
The integrated AI chatbot in Stream is especially smart in crowded spaces. It provides for more private conversations, once you plug in your headphones. The downside of this functionality is growing privacy concerns. Having a physical, nonobtrusive way to engage with one’s AI assistant offers an appealing approach.