Sandbar, the startup behind the Stream private voice ring, argues that voice will be central to the next generation of AI wearables. In a TechCrunch Equity podcast interview, co-founder and chief executive Mina Fahmi discusses why earlier voice hardware struggled and says successful devices must keep users in control.

The article places Stream within a growing market for AI note-taking devices, including cards, pendants, pins and transcription-enabled earbuds that turn conversations into summaries and tasks. Sandbar has raised $36 million so far, including a $23 million Series A led by Adjacent and Kindred Ventures, and is betting rings can help people capture spontaneous thoughts and ideas.