The Index 01 is a privacy-first AI smart ring designed to capture fleeting thoughts, not to listen to your conversations.
In a tech landscape saturated with “always-on” AI gadgets promising to analyze your entire life, the Pebble founder’s new venture offers a refreshingly different philosophy. Eric Migicovsky, the mind behind the beloved smartwatch, is back with Core Devices. His latest product, the Index 01, is a $75 smart ring that rejects the notion of becoming an AI friend. Instead, it aims to be the ultimate external memory for your brain.
This isn’t a fitness tracker monitoring your heart rate or a sleep monitor charting your REM cycles. It doesn’t record ambient conversations or require a monthly subscription fee. The Index 01 is a dedicated tool born from the mantra of solving one problem exceptionally well.
A Privacy-First Philosophy
The most defining characteristic of the Index 01 is its approach to privacy. Unlike pendant-style AI devices that constantly listen for a wake word, the Index 01 is strictly manual. It only begins recording when you press and hold a physical button on the ring’s side.
This mechanical safeguard addresses the elephant in the room: surreptitious recording. You cannot “accidentally” record a conversation. If the button isn’t held, the microphone is dormant. All audio processing happens locally on your smartphone via the Pebble app, utilizing open-source speech-to-text models. Your thoughts are stored on your phone, not in the cloud, ensuring that your fleeting ideas remain your own.
Designed for Utility, Not Distraction
Migicovsky describes the ring as “always with you,” solving the universal problem of forgetting ideas the moment they strike. While competitors like the Sandbar Stream Ring rely on touch-activated microphones and subscription tiers, the Index 01 focuses on simplicity and longevity.
- Battery Life: The battery is designed to last for years, not days. Migicovsky claims that with average use (10 to 20 quick recordings daily), the ring can last up to two years, after which it can be recycled.
- Capacity: It can store up to five minutes of audio on the device, syncing to your phone when back in Bluetooth range. This makes it perfect for capturing quick thoughts, to-dos, or ideas when your phone isn’t in hand.
- Build: It is water-resistant to 1 meter, making it safe for showers and rain, though not for swimming.
The Return of the Hardware Hacker
The launch of Index 01 marks a significant pivot in Migicovsky’s career. After Pebble’s acquisition by Fitbit (which was later swallowed by Google), Migicovsky admits he didn’t walk away with a fortune. However, the open-sourcing of PebbleOS breathed new life into his passion for hardware.
Now operating as Core Devices, a small, self-funded team of five, Migicovsky is pursuing a path of sustainability and profitability rather than aggressive venture capital growth. This lean approach is already showing results. The company recently sold out its first run of the Pebble 2 Duo smartwatch and has amassed over 25,000 preorders for the upcoming Pebble Time 2.
Open Source and Programmable
True to the Pebble spirit, the Index 01 is hackable. Its software is open source, allowing the community to tinker with the button inputs. A single or double press can be programmed to control music playback, act as a camera shutter, or interface with apps like Beeper and Notion. This flexibility transforms the ring from a simple recorder into a customizable remote for your digital life.
Conclusion
The Index 01 isn’t trying to be everything to everyone. It won’t track your steps, analyze your sleep, or chat with you about the weather. By stripping away the noise of modern wearables, Core Devices has created a focused tool for thinkers and creators. For $75, it offers a friction-free way to capture inspiration before it evaporates. In an era of overreaching AI, the Index 01 proves that sometimes, the smartest technology is the kind that quietly waits for your command.
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