Pebble founder's new creation: $75 AI ring with local processing for privacy

[Crypto World] The team behind Pebble, the smart watch makers, is up to something new—their founder Eric Migicovsky’s new company, Core Devices, has just launched a smart ring called Index 01, priced at $75.

The design concept is pretty interesting; officially, they call it an “external memory.” Basically, whenever you have a sudden idea, you can just press the button on the ring to record it. It’s made of stainless steel and is water-resistant up to 1 meter, so there’s no problem wearing it while washing your hands or for daily use.

What really stands out is the privacy approach—the audio is transcribed into text by an open-source model running locally on your phone, with nothing uploaded to the cloud. These days, data privacy is more valuable than ever, and this solution is definitely reassuring. Plus, there’s no annoying subscription model; it’s a one-time purchase.

Compared to other products on the market, like Sandbar’s Stream Ring, Index 01 keeps the functionality very focused—it’s all about voice notes. It supports transcription in over 100 languages, the button can be programmed for custom functions, and the battery lasts up to two years—so you can basically buy it and forget about charging.

It’s currently in presale for $75, and the price will go up to $99 after March 26 next year. For people who frequently need to jot things down on the go, this price and feature combo is quite attractive.