This new AI pin got smarter by getting simpler

Another improvement is what comes in the box. For $179, the NotePin S includes a clip, lanyard, magnetic pin, and wristband right away. With the original model, these accessories had to be bought separately.

Plaud is also adding Apple Find My support, which I think is a smart move. The NotePin S is tiny and lightweight, so losing it would be very easy. And yep, the NotePin S is small and weighs just 0.6 ounces, or around 17 grams.

Despite that, Plaud says it can handle up to 20 hours of recording on a single charge. The device supports AI transcription in 112 languages, includes speaker labels, and allows custom vocabulary. That makes it useful for interviews, meetings, and lectures, at least in theory.

However, there are important limitations to keep in mind. Plaud lists the reliable recording range at about 9.8 feet. So, if you are planning to use it in large lecture halls or big conference rooms, that could be an issue.

And you can record up to 300 minutes per month for free, but anything beyond that requires an $80 annual subscription. For some people, that alone might be a deal breaker. After all, our smartphones already offer recording and transcription options.

Alongside the NotePin S, Plaud is launching Plaud Desktop for Mac and PC. The app is designed to record audio from online meetings and runs quietly in the background. It detects calls from platforms like Zoom, Google Meet, and Microsoft Teams.

Users can choose between automatic recording or manual activation, and unlike some competing tools, the app doesn’t add a bot to the call. It is available now and is free for anyone who owns a Plaud Note or NotePin device.

Why Plaud ditched the squeeze controls

As I mentioned, the original NotePin relied on haptic feedback and a squeeze gesture to start recording. In practice, that turned out to be less reliable than Plaud probably hoped. Some users reported missing recordings because they didn’t squeeze the device just right.

With the NotePin S, Plaud is going for simplicity. A physical button removes the guesswork. Long press to record, short press to highlight. According to Plaud, that clarity is exactly why the change was made.

It’s a small upgrade on paper, but for a device this tiny, having a clear and dependable control method actually makes a big difference.

Still a niche product, but not without its audience

Personally, I’m still not fully convinced that AI gadgets like this are necessary for most people. Your phone can already record conversations, transcribe audio, and store files without extra hardware or subscriptions.

Plus, privacy is another concern. Not everyone is comfortable being recorded, and a device this small makes it easy for recording to go unnoticed. On top of that, recordings don’t stay fully on-device, which could raise questions for some users.

That said, the NotePin S does make sense for certain groups. Students, journalists, and professionals who attend lots of meetings or events could find value in a lightweight recorder that automatically organizes and summarizes audio. It’s not for everyone, but as far as small AI tools go, this update feels more practical than the original.