Pebble Founder Unveils $75 AI Smart Ring for Voice Notes

Pebble founder Eric Migicovsky is back with a new hardware venture, Core Devices, introducing the Index 01 smart ring. This isn't another attempt at an "always-on" AI assistant; instead, it focuses on a singular, practical problem: capturing fleeting thoughts and reminders.

The Index 01: A Dedicated External Memory

The Index 01 smart ring, priced at £75, isn't designed to compete with expansive AI devices. Its primary function is to serve as an "external memory" for your brain. With a simple press-and-hold of a button on the ring's side, users can record quick notes, which are then processed by open-source, speech-to-text, and AI models running locally on a paired smartphone via the Pebble mobile app. This local processing ensures privacy, as your thoughts remain on your device, not in the cloud. There's no subscription fee, a refreshing change in an increasingly subscription-heavy tech landscape.

Crucially, the ring only records when the button is actively pressed and held, preventing unintentional or surreptitious recordings. This design choice underscores a commitment to user control and privacy, a theme that resonates with broader discussions around data ownership and AI ethics. For more on how AI can impact privacy, see our article on The Dark Side of 'Learning' via AI?. You might also be interested in how other AI tools are tackling user data, such as with ChatGPT Translate Launches to compete with Google Translate: Early Review.

Design, Durability, and Longevity

The Index 01 is a stainless steel ring, water-resistant to one metre, making it suitable for activities like showering or washing up. However, it's not made for swimming or other prolonged water exposure. It deliberately avoids features like fitness tracking or sleep monitoring, distinguishing itself from other popular wearables.

Battery life is a significant selling point; Migicovsky claims it lasts for years. The ring supports 12 to 14 hours of recording time, and with typical usage of 10 to 20 short recordings per day, it could last around two years. Once the battery depletes, the company offers a recycling programme. This approach contrasts sharply with the frequent charging cycles of many modern gadgets and aligns with a more sustainable hardware philosophy.

How it Works and Its Capabilities

The ring can record up to five minutes of audio, saving it to the device's internal memory before syncing with your phone via Bluetooth. This is particularly useful when your phone isn't immediately to hand. It supports over 100 languages, and even retains raw audio in case background noise affects transcription accuracy. If you own a Pebble smartwatch, your transcribed notes can even appear on its screen for quick verification. This dedicated function is a stark contrast to the multi-purpose nature of tools like ChatGPT Go is now available worldwide.

The accompanying Pebble mobile app manages notes and reminders, with optional integration into your phone's calendar or other applications like Notion. The software is open source, allowing for community development and customisation. The ring's button is programmable; a single or double press can control music playback, act as a camera shutter, or even send messages through Beeper, another app co-founded by Migicovsky. This flexibility highlights the potential for users to tailor the device to their specific needs. For more insights into the importance of open-source development in AI, you can explore resources like the Open Source Initiative.

A New Philosophy for Hardware Development

Migicovsky's return to hardware with Core Devices follows Pebble's acquisition by Fitbit, which was later bought by Google. He acknowledges the challenges of hardware but is adopting a different strategy this time. Instead of pursuing rapid venture-backed growth, Core Devices is a small, self-funded team of five, prioritising profitability and sustainability from the outset. This contrasts with the typical startup model and reflects a shift towards more considered, long-term product development.

"I wouldn't have gone back and changed anything. I loved what we built. I loved what we did. I love the company that we built, but it's not the only way to build a company. What I'm doing now is trying an alternative path, which is to start from profitability."

Core Devices has already seen success with the Pebble 2 Duo smartwatch and has 25,000 pre-orders for the upgraded Pebble Time 2. The Index 01 smart ring is available for pre-order until March 2026, after which its price will increase to £99. It comes in silver, polished gold, and matte black, and is compatible with both iOS and Android devices, offering sizes from 6 to 13.

This focused approach to a single-purpose device aligns with a growing trend in consumer electronics; rather than trying to be all things to all people, the Index 01 aims to excel at one specific task. This could be a smart move in a market increasingly saturated with multi-functional, yet often overwhelming, gadgets. For more on AI's practical applications, consider our piece on Small vs. Large Language Models Explained, which touches on how specialised models can be highly effective. Such focused applications are also seen in developments like Gmail Gets Gemini AI Boost.