Plaud launches a new AI pin and a desktop meeting notetaker

In a bold move just before this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, Plaud, a hardware innovator, has introduced its latest AI notetaker, the Plaud NotePin S, alongside a sophisticated desktop application designed for effortless note-taking during virtual meetings. Building upon the success of its initial pin-style notetaker released in 2024, the new device incorporates a physical button for easy recording control. Users can start or stop recordings with a simple press and even highlight key points during meetings, similar to the recently launched Plaud Note Pro. Priced at $179, the Plaud NotePin S package includes a clip, lanyard, magnetic pin, and wristband, offering versatility in how users choose to wear or carry the device. Enhancing its practicality, the new pin features Apple Find My support, allowing users to quickly locate their device if misplaced. While it retains the core specifications of its predecessor, including 64GB of storage and a robust battery life of 20 hours of continuous recording, the Plaud NotePin S is equipped with two MEMS microphones for crystal-clear audio capture within a range of 9.8 feet. Users will also benefit from 300 minutes of free transcription each month. Although the NotePin S offers a shorter recording range and reduced battery life compared to the Note Pro, its compact size makes it ideal for on-the-go individuals. This launch marks Plaud’s fourth device, contributing to over 1.5 million units sold to date. While the focus has primarily been on enhancing in-person meeting experiences, Plaud aims to compete with other notetaking solutions like Granola, Fathom, and Fireflies by introducing a new desktop client compatible with various meeting applications. The desktop app is designed to automatically detect active meetings and prompt users to capture transcriptions. It utilizes system audio for note-taking on Mac, structuring transcriptions into organized notes with the aid of AI. Last year, Plaud introduced multimodal inputs for its notetaking app, allowing users to incorporate images and typed notes alongside audio transcriptions, a feature that will also be available in the new desktop application.