Pebble smartwatch founder Eric Migicovsky is expanding the product line of his brand after successfully reviving Pebble, into a new smart wearable field: an AI smart ring called Index01. Priced at only $75, this ring is not designed to be a full-featured AI assistant or fitness tracker, but rather focuses on providing a core and reliable function: quick note-taking and reminders.

The design philosophy of Index01 is very clear: it is an "external memory for the brain," always with the user to solve the core problem of "ideas that come up during the day will be forgotten if not written down immediately."

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Photo source: Core Devices LLC

Core Features and Privacy Protection

  • Simplified Operation: Users can quickly start recording by simply pressing and holding the button on the side of the ring to record voice-to-text notes.

  • Privacy First: All AI features (open-source voice-to-text and AI models) run locally on the smartphone through the Pebble mobile app. Recording is only activated when the button is pressed, and must be held continuously, eliminating the possibility of secretly recording conversations. All users' ideas are stored on the phone, not in the cloud.

  • No Subscription Model: Unlike other similar products, Index01 emphasizes no subscription, offering a clear, fee-free user experience.

  • Durable: This stainless steel ring has 1-meter water resistance, allowing it to be worn while showering or washing hands, but should be removed during activities like swimming.

  • Long-lasting Battery Life: The ring's battery is said to last for several years. The founder states that at a rate of 10 to 20 times per day, with each recording lasting 3 to 6 seconds, the battery life is about two years. When the battery runs out, it can be returned to the company for recycling.

  • Offline Storage: The ring has a small amount of built-in storage, which can save up to five minutes of recording even beyond the phone's Bluetooth range, then synchronize and transcribe, supporting over 100 languages.

Migicovsky emphasized: "I'm not trying to create something like an AI assistant. My products are all designed to solve a core problem, and they do it very well."

Open Source and Programmability

Index01 is compatible with iOS and Android devices and can be used with the Pebble mobile app, supporting notes and reminders, and can be integrated into apps such as calendar or Notion.

Notably, the ring's software is open-source, encouraging the community to modify it. The button on the ring is programmable, besides long-press recording, users can also set single-click or double-click gestures to perform other actions, such as play/pause music, control the phone camera shutter, or even send messages via the Beeper app.

Market Competition and New Company Strategy

The launch of Index01 marks Migicovsky's official entry into the growing market of voice note wearable devices. One of its main competitors is Stream Ring from Sandbar, a company founded by former Meta employees, which also supports voice recording but is more expensive ($249) and offers a $10 monthly Stream Pro subscription service. Index01 forms a unique advantage in the market with its $75 low price and no subscription model.

Migicovsky now operates the Pebble project through his new company Core Devices. The company is a small team of five people who are self-funded, focusing on sustainable development and a profit-first business model. He admitted that his previous experience with Pebble (which was later acquired by Fitbit) taught him to shift from venture capital support to a more stable operational approach.

The Index01 ring is available in silver, polished gold, and matte black, with eight sizes (sizes 6 to 13). Pre-order will end in March 2026, after which the price will increase to $99.