David Pierce, editor-at-large at The Verge, argues that smart rings could become the standout AI gadget, outshining rivals like smart glasses and AI pins, thanks to advances in dictation technology that let users speak to their devices with remarkable accuracy. He was particularly struck by a demo of Sandbar's forthcoming Stream ring, which uses a simple combination of microphone, battery and Bluetooth to transcribe speech directly into apps such as Apple Notes, distinguishing it from the crowded field of AI recorders aimed at capturing meetings and conversations.

Sandbar CEO Mina Fahmi demonstrated the ring transcribing spoken notes accurately, even when whispered too quietly to hear, and described the device's three core functions: launching AI assistant chats, taking notes, and dictating text. The Stream, due to ship later this year, currently relies on its own companion app, but Fahmi's longer-term ambition is to let it work seamlessly across whichever assistant, notes app or text field the user already relies on, with early firmware progress already being tested towards that goal.