While smart technology such as phones, tablets, and watches are now a mainstay of the consumer electronics market, it should be said that devices like mixed-reality headsets and smart rings are still seen as niche hardware. Speaking of the latter, smartwatch brand Pebble recently announced the newest addition to its product lineup in the form of the Index 01, a smart ring that’s designed to be affordable while offering the bare essentials.
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Currently available for pre-order, the Index 01 keeps things basic and affordable, with a starting price of just $99 ($75 if you order earlier on). This makes it a more wallet-friendly option compared to the likes of the Galaxy Ring and Oura smart ring for example, although its budget pricing does come with some compromises as well.
Without beating around the bush, it should be mentioned that the Index 01 DOES NOT feature a rechargeable battery inside. Instead, Pebble has equipped the device with a single-use battery that can last for up to a couple of years with average use (more on this later). The company adds that this is designed to encourage users to send back the ring to recycle it, although we can’t say that everyone will agree on this approach especially for a device that’s marketed as a daily-use accessory.
In terms of design, Pebble is selling the Index 01 in three different colour variants which consist of matte black, polished silver, and gold; buyers will also be able to order the ring in eight different sizes, ranging from size 6 to 13. As far as looks go it is a pretty unassuming device, and should blend in well with most outfits.
As for software compatibility, the Index 01 is designed to support both Android and iOS devices, and while it does support AI-based smart features such as speech-to-text and model processing to name a couple, these will run locally on a user’s phone. The app will also be open-source to allow users to further tweak with software functionality for the ring; furthermore, the Index 01 also supports over 99 languages for speech-to-text and local LLM processing.
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It’s important to note that the Index 01 will function as an input-only accessory, and it even lacks other components such as vibration motors and speakers. When away from a connected device, the ring will be able to store up to five minutes of on-device audio recordings, which will automatically sync once it reconnects to a partner device. in addition to physical controls, there’s also support for voice commands to allow users to send messages, set reminders, and more.
