Startup Sandbar has introduced Stream, a smart ring described as a "mouse for voice" designed to discreetly capture ideas with a simple finger press. Unlike other wearables, Stream focuses on quiet voice note capture and instant transcription, allowing users to convert whispers into editable notes via a companion iOS app.

Geofencing, a feature offered by major smart home platforms like Apple Home, Google Home, Alexa and Samsung SmartThings, allows users to set up virtual perimeters around specific locations to trigger automations, such as opening garage doors, adjusting thermostats, arming security systems and playing music.

Apple is developing a budget-friendly Mac laptop featuring an iPhone A-series chip and a lower-cost LCD display, according to Bloomberg. The device is designed to make personal computers more accessible to students and casual users, with a launch expected in 2026.

The transition to electric vehicles is increasing electricity demand and straining the grid, but EVs can also be a grid asset. In this episode of the Shift Key podcast, Apoorv Bhargava of WeaveGrid discusses how EVs can help enhance reliability and why charging should be as simple as choosing a cellphone plan.