Pebble’s comeback story just took an unexpected turn. After launching two new smartwatches earlier this year, the company today announced a new wearable that challenges what a smart ring is supposed to be. Unlike Samsung’s Galaxy Ring or smart rings from Oura, the Pebble Index 01 isn’t built for health and fitness tracking. Instead, its sole purpose is to help users capture ideas or remember things.
The Index 01 is essentially a device designed to make voice notes effortless. It’s a stainless steel ring with a side button and a built-in microphone that lets users quickly record ideas, set reminders, start a timer, or create a calendar event. It features onboard memory to save recordings, which automatically sync with Pebble’s companion app when it’s connected to a phone.
Inside the app, the recording is transcribed locally and automatically categorized as a reminder, timer, or a simple note. All of this requires no monthly subscription, although Pebble does offer an optional cloud service that enables online backups and improved speech-to-text accuracy.
Pebble says that the ring’s button can also be customized within the companion app for additional actions, such as controlling music playback, taking a photo, or triggering smart home commands, allowing users to do more if they so choose. A double-press and hold gesture can even fetch answers to simple queries, but this functionality requires an active internet connection and is unavailable by default.
The Index 01 is designed to be as low-maintenance as possible. As such, it doesn’t have a rechargeable battery. Instead, it uses a long-lasting silver oxide battery (similar to those used in hearing aids), which can last up to 2 years with average use. Once the battery runs out, the ring can be sent back to Pebble for recycling, and users will have to purchase a replacement.
While purchasing a new smart ring every two years might seem costly, the Index 01’s introductory price of $75 keeps it accessible. If Pebble’s take on a smart ring piques your interest, you can now pre-order the Index 01 from the company’s website in polished silver, gold, or matte black. Shipments are expected to begin in March next year, after which Pebble will increase its price to $99.