Plaud Bets on Wearable AI Again

As AI hardware inches closer to everyday workflows, Plaud is doubling down on a simple promise: never miss a conversation again.

Ahead of CES 2026 in Las Vegas, the hardware startup has unveiled two new products — the Plaud NotePin S, a refreshed version of its wearable AI recorder, and a desktop meeting notetaker designed for digital calls. Together, they show Plaud trying to bridge the gap between in-person conversations and remote work.

The company first made waves in 2024 with its pin-style AI notetaker, which stood out for being practical rather than flashy. The new NotePin S sticks to that philosophy, but adds a few thoughtful upgrades.

The biggest change is a physical button that lets users start and stop recordings instantly. During a recording, tapping the same button allows you to mark key moments — a small feature, but one that matters when you’re trying to quickly revisit important points later. It mirrors a similar feature recently introduced on Plaud’s higher-end Note Pro.

Plaud is also leaning into wearability. The $179 NotePin S ships with a clip, lanyard, magnetic pin, and wristband, giving users flexibility in how they carry it. That’s a subtle but smart move for a product aimed at people who move between meetings, events, and field work. Apple Find My support is being added as well, making it easier to locate the device if it goes missing.

Under the hood, things stay mostly the same. The NotePin S offers 64GB of storage, up to 20 hours of continuous recording, and uses dual MEMS microphones capable of capturing clear audio within roughly 10 feet. Users also get 300 minutes of transcription per month for free, positioning the device as usable out of the box without an immediate subscription push.

Compared to the Note Pro, the NotePin S does come with trade-offs: shorter recording range and lower battery life. But it’s also smaller and lighter, and Plaud says it’s designed for users who are constantly on the move rather than those anchoring long sessions at a desk.

The second half of Plaud’s announcement is arguably just as important. The new desktop meeting notetaker extends Plaud’s ecosystem beyond physical hardware, allowing users to capture and summarize notes from digital meetings. This brings Plaud into more direct competition with AI-first meeting tools like Otter, Fireflies, and Notion AI — but with the advantage of owning both the hardware and software experience.

Why this matters

AI hardware has struggled to prove it’s more than a novelty. Plaud’s approach is refreshingly grounded: focus on specific use cases, minimize friction, and let AI quietly enhance workflows instead of trying to replace them.

By pairing a wearable recorder with desktop meeting software, Plaud is betting that professionals don’t want yet another AI assistant — they want one system that works across physical and digital conversations.

The real test will be whether users see enough value to carry an extra device in a world where smartphones already record audio. But Plaud’s continued refinement suggests it understands something many AI hardware startups miss: usefulness beats spectacle.

As CES approaches, Plaud’s latest launch positions it as one of the more serious players trying to make AI hardware actually stick.