Hardware startup Aina has launched its new "AI ring," a smart device featuring a screen, joystick, and microphone designed for hands-free interaction with AI agents and note-taking. Priced at $399, the ring also includes a speaker to facilitate calls.
Having secured $5.5 million in funding in July, the startup is positioning the ring as a versatile controller interface for a wide range of applications, bridging the gap between AI tools and standard software.
This device builds upon the company's previous hardware, Mirage, a Mac controller with three keys that mapped actions to specific on-screen functions. For example, users could mute their microphone or leave a Google Meet call directly from the controller.
Aina has incorporated key lessons from Mirage to develop this new ring. Utilizing its microphone, users can take notes, send prompts to agents, set reminders, and dictate directly into a Mac via Wispr Flow or the startup's custom dictation engine.
While competitors like the Pebble Index 01, Sandbar Stream, Oasis, and Natura offer similar functionality, Aina differentiates its product with enhanced controls. The ring includes a speaker for calls and a screen that displays notifications and identifies controlled applications.
Navigation is handled by a built-in joystick, supported by gestures that trigger actions based on active screens on a Mac or phone. Additionally, the ring allows users to control music playback and smart home devices such as an Apple TV.
After testing the device for several days, it feels akin to a smartwatch condensed into a ring form factor with expanded functionality. I was able to receive and reply to notifications, view meeting schedules, and even call for a ride via Uber.
While the Aina ring is not as intuitive as a dedicated Apple TV remote, it proved useful in those instances when the remote was misplaced. Although the software is still in development, making its daily utility somewhat unclear, the device is clearly targeted at individuals heavily immersed in digital ecosystems and AI applications.
"Phones and laptop screens were designed for an age of browsing where you think about opening apps. For interacting with proactive agents, we need a better interface, and that is what we had in mind while designing Aina," explained Apoorv Shankar, the company's founder, in a conversation with TechCrunch.
Various companies are developing specialized hardware to assist programmers and AI enthusiasts in managing multiple agents. Examples include OpenAI's experimental keyboard and Rabbit's positioning as a controller. The industry hopes that as users adopt multiple agents, specific gadgets will become essential tools for management.
Aina will begin taking pre-orders for the ring starting this Thursday at an early-bird price of $399. The company projects shipping the device to begin in January 2027.
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