Plaud Releases AI Pin and Desktop Meeting Notetaker

Ahead of this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, hardware manufacturer Plaud unveiled the Plaud NotePin S, a new AI-powered notetaker, alongside a desktop application designed to streamline note-taking during digital meetings.

The company originally introduced its pin-style recorder in 2024, which received positive feedback from my former colleague Brian Heater. This updated version includes a physical button for starting and stopping recordings. You can also tap the button during a session to mark important moments, similar to the feature on the recently released Plaud Note Pro.

Priced at $179, the Plaud NotePin S comes with a clip, lanyard, magnetic pin, and wristband, offering versatile wearing options. The device now also supports Apple's Find My network, making it easier to locate if misplaced.

Key specifications are consistent with the previous model, including 64GB of built-in storage and a battery that supports up to 20 hours of continuous recording. Equipped with two MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) microphones, it clearly captures audio within a 9.8-foot radius. Users also receive 300 minutes of free transcription monthly.

While the NotePin S has a shorter recording range and battery life than the Note Pro, its compact size and included accessories make it highly portable. Plaud describes the pin as ideal for individuals with active, on-the-go lifestyles.

This marks Plaud's fourth product release, with over 1.5 million devices sold to date. While the company's primary focus has been on in-person meetings, it now aims to compete with digital meeting notetakers like Granola, Fathom, and Fireflies through a new cross-platform desktop client. The app automatically detects active meetings and prompts you to capture a transcript.

The Mac application records meetings using system audio and uses AI to organize the transcription into structured notes. Last year, Plaud introduced multimodal notetaking, allowing users to combine audio transcription with images and typed notes. This functionality is now integrated into the desktop app as well.

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Secure your spot on the Disrupt 2026 waitlist for priority access to Early Bird tickets. Previous Disrupt events have featured industry leaders from Google Cloud, Netflix, Microsoft, Box, Phia, a16z, ElevenLabs, Wayve, Hugging Face, Elad Gil, and Vinod Khosla. With over 250 experts leading more than 200 sessions, the event is designed to accelerate your growth and enhance your competitive advantage. You'll also have the chance to connect with hundreds of innovative startups from various sectors.