Aina Launches Smart Ring with Screen, Joystick, and Mic for AI Interaction and Call Handling

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Aina introduces a $399 smart ring equipped with a screen, joystick, microphone, and speaker, enabling users to interact with AI agents, take calls, and control apps and smart devices directly from their finger.

Hardware startup Aina has unveiled its new AI ring, a smart ring designed to offer comprehensive control over AI and traditional applications. Priced at $399 for early-bird pre-orders starting in November 2026, the ring incorporates a screen, joystick, microphone, and speaker, allowing users to engage with AI agents by voice, take calls, dictate notes, and manage reminders.

Aina builds on its previous product, Mirage, a three-key controller for Mac that allowed customizable physical buttons mapped to app functions like muting a mic during a Google Meet call. The new AI ring expands this concept by integrating multiple input methods, including gesture support and a joystick for navigation, enabling seamless interaction with both AI and standard software on paired devices.

The device’s screen shows notifications and the active app, while the mic and speaker facilitate hands-free calls and voice commands. It also supports controlling music and smart home devices such as Apple TV. This multi-functionality situates the ring as a compact alternative to conventional wearable tech like smartwatches or remotes.

While there are existing smart rings on the market with overlapping features—such as the Pebble Index 01 and Sandbar Stream—Aina differentiates its product through broader control options, deeper integration with AI agents, and a more interactive interface.

According to Aina’s founder Apoorv Shankar, the design addresses the limitations of traditional phone and laptop screens, which rely on app browsing rather than proactive AI interaction. The AI ring offers a new way to engage with digital assistants and multiple AI agents simultaneously, reflecting a growing hardware trend tailored to programmers and AI enthusiasts.

Shipping is scheduled to begin in January 2027, with the price rising to $499 after the pre-order phase. As the software ecosystem develops, Aina envisions the ring becoming a key component for users embedded in an AI-driven digital environment.