Why You Care
Do you ever miss crucial details during calls or meetings? Imagine having a tiny, smart assistant that captures every word. Plaud, a hardware company, just unveiled its new AI hardware notetaker, the Note Pro. This device aims to simplify your note-taking process significantly. It promises to make sure you never miss an important point again. This could dramatically improve your productivity and recall.
What Actually Happened
Plaud, known for its credit-card-sized AI notetaker, has released the Note Pro. This new device builds on its predecessor with several key upgrades, according to the announcement. The Note Pro now includes a small 0.95-inch AMOLED screen. This screen displays vital information like recording status and battery level. The company has also significantly boosted the audio capture capabilities. The technical report explains that the Note Pro features four MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) microphones. This is double the number found in the previous model. This upgrade allows for better noise suppression and improved speaker detection.
The device offers a standard 30-hour recording capacity. What’s more, it can extend to 50 hours with a shorter recording range, as detailed in the blog post. The Plaud Note Pro is priced at $179/£169. Preorders are open now, with shipping expected in October 2025. The company reports that preordering customers will receive 600 complimentary transcription minutes. They also get a magnetic case.
Why This Matters to You
This new AI notetaker could genuinely change how you manage information. The Plaud Note Pro automatically detects whether you’re on a call or in person. This eliminates the need for manual switching, according to the announcement. This intelligent feature saves you time and reduces friction during important conversations. For example, imagine you are in a bustling coffee shop. The device can still capture clear audio from up to 16.4 feet away. This is a 2x jump in range from the original Note Pro, the team revealed. This means your notes will be clearer and more comprehensive than ever before.
The companion app also received significant updates. It now offers “multidimensional summaries.” These summaries allow you to extract insights in various formats. You can get key insights or specific data items. The company built templates for summary generation, and the app can automatically suggest the right one based on your role. Plus, you can build your own templates, as mentioned in the release. The app also includes a beta feature that lets you query your notes. This means you can ask questions directly to your recorded content. How much time could you save by instantly finding specific information in your past meetings?
Consider these new capabilities:
- Enhanced Audio Capture: Four MEMS mics improve clarity and range.
- Smart Auto-Detection: Automatically switches between call and in-person recording.
- Multidimensional Summaries: Extract insights in various formats with templates.
- Note Querying: Ask questions directly to your recorded notes.
- Extended Battery Life: Up to 50 hours of recording on a single charge.
The Surprising Finding
One particularly interesting aspect of Plaud’s success is its resilience in a challenging market. While other AI device makers have struggled, Plaud has continued to advance. The company reports that Plaud is one of the companies that has been successfully chugging along when other AI device makers haven’t had a lot of popularity. This stands in contrast to competitors. For instance, Exor-backed Bee was acquired by Amazon, and Friend experienced several delays. This success suggests a strong product-market fit for Plaud’s focused approach to AI notetaking. It challenges the assumption that all new AI hardware ventures face similar difficulties.
This indicates that a niche, well-executed product can thrive even when broader, more ambitious AI hardware projects falter. It shows that utility and reliability are paramount. The Plaud Note Pro’s continuous improvements, like the added screen and enhanced microphones, demonstrate a commitment to user experience. This might be why it stands out. The focus on a specific problem — efficient note-taking — seems to resonate more with users than broader, less defined AI assistant roles.
What Happens Next
Preorders for the Plaud Note Pro are available now, with shipping slated for October 2025. This means you could have this AI notetaker in your hands within a few months. The company’s strategy suggests a continued focus on refining its core offering. For example, future updates might include even more AI summary capabilities. They could also integrate with popular productivity tools. Industry implications are significant. Plaud’s sustained presence could inspire other companies to focus on practical, single-purpose AI hardware. This contrasts with the current trend of multi-functional AI companions.
If you’re considering the Note Pro, remember the complimentary transcription minutes. You get 600 minutes with a preorder. After that, 300 minutes of monthly transcription are free, according to the announcement. For more, users will need to buy a paid monthly plan or a one-time top-up. This tiered service model offers flexibility. It allows users to scale their transcription needs as required. This approach provides a clear path for ongoing value from your device. It also supports the continued creation of the Plaud environment.