Timothy Beck Werth is the Tech Editor at Mashable, where he leads coverage and assignments for the Tech and Shopping verticals. Tim has over 15 years of experience as a journalist and editor, and he has particular experience covering and testing consumer technology, smart home gadgets, and men’s grooming and style products. Previously, he was the Managing Editor and then Site Director of SPY.com, a men’s product review and lifestyle website. As a writer for GQ, he covered everything from bull-riding competitions to the best Legos for adults, and he’s also contributed to publications such as The Daily Beast, Gear Patrol, and The Awl.

Two former Meta employees have launched a new wearable, and it’s not designed for AI or fitness.

Wearables and smart rings are trending product categories, and now two former Meta employees have launched another new smart ring brand called Sandbar.

Sandbar’s first product is the Stream smart ring, available for preorder for $249 and set to ship in summer 2026. The Stream doesn’t track your heart rate or steps like the Oura Ring, nor is it an AI device like Bee, the wearable company recently acquired by Amazon.

So, what does it do?

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The Stream has two primary functions: It acts as a voice recorder to capture and transcribe your thoughts, and it lets you control music with hand gestures.

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Of course, your phone and various AI chatbots can already record and transcribe notes. And most headphones and earbuds feature touch controls that allow you to control your music with your hands.

The Sandbar website states that Stream is a “fast, private, & effortless way to capture thoughts in the moment.” A companion app organizes your voice notes into reminders, calendar events, or notes; however, users will need to pay $10 per month for a Pro subscription. A free tier “includes unlimited notes and limited chats.”

Preview of Stream ring app with voice notes. Credit: Sandbar Preview of Stream ring app with calendar. Credit: Sandbar

In terms of design, the new smart ring has an aluminum outer surface, a resin inner surface, and a glass touchpad. Sandbar says the ring is “resistant to rain and handwashing.”

TechCrunch reports that Sandbar was founded by former Meta employees Mina Fahmi and Kirak Hong. You can preorder the ring on the Sandbar website.