Pebble Unveils $75 iPhone-Compatible Smart Ring for Quick Voice Recordings

[d4zza]

I dislike the idea of having to throw away a device because the battery is dead.

But I DO like the idea of having a spy-ring (with a decent microphone) available for recording the cop who pulls me over (or comes to my front door) and starts asking me unconstitutional questions.

If this is happening to you regularly enough that you need some sort of spy technology, you’ve got to ask yourself why. Either that or you aren’t and you’re watching too much TikTok

 

[Rradcircless]

I dislike the idea of having to throw away a device because the battery is dead.

But I DO like the idea of having a spy-ring (with a decent microphone) available for recording the cop who pulls me over (or comes to my front door) and starts asking me unconstitutional questions.

It would also be good when outdoors and it seems like travel is coming your way when I'm going for a walk at night tonight, you know, sounds like hoodlums I start recording on my watch to cover myself.

 

[erihp]

damn april came fast

 

[abcmax]

In the photo it looks like a zip tie. --no thanks, I'm good.

That was exactly my first thought when I saw it.

By the way, it would be great if this ring had a zip tie function. You never know when a zip tie might come in handy.

 

[Frantisekj]

instead, you can make this shortcut and assign it to the action button on your iPhone or Apple Watch Ultra. View attachment 2586377

Ring is questionable idea but 75 bucks is still far less then buying new iPhone with side button or Apple Watch Ultra

 

[johnrlaporta]

"the battery will last for 12 to 15 hours of recording, which equates to 10-20 recordings per day that are 3-6 seconds in length"

Something is wrong here, because 10-20 recordings that are 3-6 seconds of length is a battery time of thirty to one hundred and twenty seconds.

 

[D-a-a-n]

Cool. Wear this and the Meta Gasses and it's like you are a secret agent (minus the secret).

Yes, it's shaping up to be a wonderful decade.

Together with the Meta Glasses, you'll be a secret douche (minus the secret).

 

[swishyfresh]

He took the worst thing about it, and said it was the "best thing"... Hermano Que?

 

[ronno]

If you want to secretly record people for a particular reason, you might be willing to pay the $75

Or you could just start a voice recording on your phone and go talk to somebody while holding it. Or while it’s in your pocket.

 

[TracerAnalog]

Ridiculous e-waste device. Buy a year's supply, buy 5 get 1 free!

🥱

 

[clg82]

A $75 finger mic that I have to throw away and replace with a new finger mic for $99 when the battery runs out? This might be the worst idea I've seen in a long time.

Umm obviously you haven't seen the VisionPro...

 

[klasma]

The action button on the left hand side of the iPhone can be set to do exactly this via voice memos for free

The sction button doesn’t do push-to-talk (i.e. recording only exactly while you’re pressing it). Instead you have to long-press to start recording, having to make sure you’ve pressed it long enough, and then long-press again to stop recording. That’s much less convenient. It’s stupefying that Apple implemented it like this.

 

[klasma]

"the battery will last for 12 to 15 hours of recording, which equates to 10-20 recordings per day that are 3-6 seconds in length"

Something is wrong here, because 10-20 recordings that are 3-6 seconds of length is a battery time of thirty to one hundred and twenty seconds.

They forgot to specify that it refers to two years of such usage. 12 hours are roughly one minute per day for two years.

 

[jdavid_rp]

"no charging is necessary"
More like charging is not possible. That is not a feature, its an issue.

 

[BornAgainMac]

Maybe the next update they can add a tiny speaker to it to listen to music with your ring. Keep your AirPods in your pocket.

 

[Sinfonist]

I like Eric and his work generally but... do people really have such a hard time remembering stuff?

It depends on how busy you are. If you are in back-to-back meetings for several hours, that tends to erase memory to some extent. My colleagues are grateful for automated note taking apps - lets them focus on the conversation.

But I'm not sure the ring is useful enough (and it's in an awkward price range - too expensive for something disposable, too cheaply made and not reusable enough to be premium).

 

[FlyingDutch]

Ridiculous for that price… $30 would be more reasonable

 

[WarmWinterHat]

It depends on how busy you are. If you are in back-to-back meetings for several hours, that tends to erase memory to some extent. My colleagues are grateful for automated note taking apps - lets them focus on the conversation.

But I'm not sure the ring is useful enough (and it's in an awkward price range - too expensive for something disposable, too cheaply made and not reusable enough to be premium).

If it's a meeting, just use your phone, or a cheap digital voice recorder. No need to waste your money talking into your finger like an idiot.

 

[artifex]

Smart ring, smart tie, smart shoes who cares. Tech companies are desperate to bring out something new to make a quick buck!

To really Get Smart you should have a phone in your shoe.

 

[elrojo69]

Will this outsell the iphone air?

 

[hybrid_x]

Pebble says the battery will last for 12 to 15 hours

They say it will last for 12 to 15 years, not hours.

 

[WarmWinterHat]

They say it will last for 12 to 15 years, not hours.

No it doesn't. The headline article is correct.

From Pebble's press release:

How long does the battery last?

Roughly 12 to 15 hours of recording. On average, I use it 10-20 times per day to record 3-6 second thoughts. That’s up to 2 years of usage.

At the bottom of the release:

• No charging: The battery lasts for up two years of average use. After the end of its life, send your ring back to us for recycling.

 

[Cameront9]

Once I saw a post about someone's smart ring battery swelling while they were wearing it, I nope'd out of smart rings.

 

[NativeMac]

It’s the non-replaceable battery that makes me say heck no. Such a waste especially for a wearable. Wearables are all about feeling some kind of level of emotional attachment. Wearing a ring you know you will just throw away after a few months is insane.

 

[captrlp]

He should have replaced the mic with GPS and marketed it as the newest generation probation and parole tracker!!!!