Pebble Makes a Break from the Smart Ring Crowd with Index 01, a Low-Power Wearable That Focuses on One Thing Well.
Pebble, a brand that once dominated the smartwatch market, has made a comeback with its new line of wearables. The latest device to hit the market is the Index 01, a smart-ish ring that's designed to do just one thing: capture voice notes. Unlike most smart rings on the market, which offer a range of features such as health tracking and smartphone integration, the Index 01 is minimalist in its approach.
The device is designed to be worn on the index finger, allowing users to easily press the physical button with their thumb. The ring contains a Bluetooth radio, microphone, hearing aid battery, and physical button, but it doesn't have any additional sensors or data collection capabilities.
According to Pebble, the Index 01 will last for years on a single charge, powered by an integrated battery that can power the device for up to 12-14 hours of recording. The company claims that this means the device won't need to be recharged, as users will simply get used to using it.
But what's truly unique about the Index 01 is its approach to AI. Instead of relying on cloud-based AI models or data collection, Pebble has opted for a more local and open-source approach. The device uses generative AI in a way that's designed to be user-friendly and transparent, without requiring users to share their personal data.
When you record a voice note with the Index 01, it's sent over Bluetooth to your phone, where it's converted to text using an open-source language model. This means that the recording stays on your device, and the company doesn't collect any data from it.
The Index 01 is available in three colorways - polished silver, polished gold, and matte black - and will retail for $75 during preorders. Worldwide shipping is expected to begin in March 2026, at which point the price will increase to $99.
While the Index 01 may not be a traditional smart ring, it's clear that Pebble has taken a bold approach to designing a wearable device that focuses on simplicity and user control. With its focus on one thing well - capturing voice notes - the Index 01 is an interesting alternative to more feature-rich devices on the market.
Pebble, a brand that once dominated the smartwatch market, has made a comeback with its new line of wearables. The latest device to hit the market is the Index 01, a smart-ish ring that's designed to do just one thing: capture voice notes. Unlike most smart rings on the market, which offer a range of features such as health tracking and smartphone integration, the Index 01 is minimalist in its approach.
The device is designed to be worn on the index finger, allowing users to easily press the physical button with their thumb. The ring contains a Bluetooth radio, microphone, hearing aid battery, and physical button, but it doesn't have any additional sensors or data collection capabilities.
According to Pebble, the Index 01 will last for years on a single charge, powered by an integrated battery that can power the device for up to 12-14 hours of recording. The company claims that this means the device won't need to be recharged, as users will simply get used to using it.
But what's truly unique about the Index 01 is its approach to AI. Instead of relying on cloud-based AI models or data collection, Pebble has opted for a more local and open-source approach. The device uses generative AI in a way that's designed to be user-friendly and transparent, without requiring users to share their personal data.
When you record a voice note with the Index 01, it's sent over Bluetooth to your phone, where it's converted to text using an open-source language model. This means that the recording stays on your device, and the company doesn't collect any data from it.
The Index 01 is available in three colorways - polished silver, polished gold, and matte black - and will retail for $75 during preorders. Worldwide shipping is expected to begin in March 2026, at which point the price will increase to $99.
While the Index 01 may not be a traditional smart ring, it's clear that Pebble has taken a bold approach to designing a wearable device that focuses on simplicity and user control. With its focus on one thing well - capturing voice notes - the Index 01 is an interesting alternative to more feature-rich devices on the market.