Skip to content
An image of the Plaud Note Pro
Source: theverge.com

Plaud Note Pro: Card-sized AI note-taker adds longer range and endurance

Sources: https://www.theverge.com/news/766335/plaud-ai-note-pro-launch-pricing-availability, The Verge AI

TL;DR

  • Plaud Note Pro adds two additional microphones to capture audio over a 16.4‑foot area.
  • It includes a new 1‑inch display showing battery level, recording status, and the current recording mode.
  • The device automatically switches between recording calls and in-person meetings, removing the need for the original Plaud Note’s physical toggle.
  • An endurance battery mode extends recording time from 30 hours to 50 hours, trading range for longer run-time (9.8 feet).
  • Base features include AI-powered recording, transcription, and summaries in the Plaud app, plus a press-to-highlight button; subscription options expand transcription minutes.
  • Availability: preorder now for $179; ships in October; default 300 transcription minutes per month with optional yearly plans.
  • The Plaud app will gain new capabilities in October, including text input and image uploads, plus an “Ask Plaud” feature. Plaud is MagSafe‑compatible.

Context and background

Plaud has positioned itself around a line of compact AI note-taking devices, with the Plaud Note predecessor already offering AI-assisted recording, transcription, and summarization in a credit-card‑sized form factor. The Note Pro extends that concept by introducing hardware and software refinements aimed at broader audio capture and longer use between charges, while maintaining the core workflow of converting conversations into searchable notes via AI. The Verge reports that Plaud is launching the Note Pro as an upgraded version of its mini AI wearable, continuing to rely on large language models to generate meaningful summaries from user recordings. The device remains MagSafe-compatible and continues to rely on the Plaud app for playback, transcription, and AI‑generated outputs. The source notes the inclusion of a new battery mode and redesigned input controls, alongside a broader AI feature set expected to evolve with app updates and new features.

What’s new

The Plaud Note Pro introduces several notable upgrades over the original Note line:

  • Two additional microphones enable improved audio pickup across larger spaces, with a stated 16.4‑foot capture range.
  • A new 1‑inch display on the device shows battery level, recording status, and the active recording mode.
  • Automatic switching between recording calls and in-person meetings eliminates the need for a physical toggle.
  • An endurance mode extends total recording time from 30 hours to 50 hours, at the cost of a smaller pickup range (9.8 feet) compared to the default profile.
  • A dedicated press-to-highlight button lets users flag important moments, which the AI models (including OpenAI’s GPT, Claude, and Gemini) can then summarize more thoroughly in the Plaud app.
  • The Note Pro inherits MagSafe compatibility and continues to integrate with the Plaud app for viewing AI-generated recordings, transcriptions, and summaries.
  • Plaud also plans an October app update to enable text input and image uploads from phones, plus a new “Ask Plaud” feature for querying the recorded or uploaded content.

Why it matters (impact for developers/enterprises)

For developers and enterprises, the Note Pro represents a compact, AI-assisted capture tool that can help teams preserve conversations and meetings in a searchable, AI‑summarized form. The longer-range pickup and improved mic array can reduce gaps in audio capture in crowded rooms or moving conversations, potentially improving transcription accuracy and the usefulness of AI summaries. The auto-switching feature simplifies use in varied contexts, reducing friction for casual users and business environments alike. The inclusion of multiple large-language models (OpenAI’s GPT, Claude, Gemini) signals Plaud’s intent to offer versatile AI processing, enabling more detailed summaries and more nuanced answers when users query the content. The new “Ask Plaud” feature promises a natural language way to retrieve highlights, insights, and answering questions about what was recorded or uploaded. For teams that rely on consistent note-taking, the 300 default transcription minutes per month (with affordable expansions) provide a scalable baseline, while the annual plans offer higher-capacity options for ongoing workflows.

Technical details or implementation

Key hardware and software elements of the Plaud Note Pro include:

  • Audio capture: two additional microphones designed to cover a 16.4‑foot area under typical usage scenarios; endurance mode reduces the pickup range to 9.8 feet.
  • Display: 1‑inch screen on the device showing battery level, recording status, and current mode.
  • Power and endurance: default 30 hours of recording time; endurance mode extends to 50 hours.
  • Control scheme: automatic switching between recording calls and in-person meetings, removing the need for a physical toggle used by the original Plaud Note.
  • Connectivity and ecosystem: device is MagSafe-compatible and works with the Plaud app to view AI-generated recordings, transcriptions, and summaries.
  • AI and models: large language models including OpenAI’s GPT, Anthropic’s Claude, and Google’s Gemini are used to generate more detailed summaries of highlighted notes.
  • Highlights and interaction: a press-to-highlight button enables flagging important information during sessions; highlighting can also be performed by base Note users via the Plaud app or iOS widget.
  • App updates: in October, Plaud plans to allow input of text and image uploads from mobile devices and to introduce an “Ask Plaud” feature for querying the content.
  • Availability and pricing: Note Pro products are available for preorder at $179; shipping begins in October. It includes up to 300 transcription minutes per month by default; annual subscriptions are offered at $99.99/year for 1,200 minutes and priority access, or $239.99/year for unlimited minutes.

Key takeaways

  • Plaud Note Pro expands capture range with two extra mics and adds a concise, at-a-glance display.
  • Auto-switching recording modes reduce setup friction in mixed environments.
  • Endurance mode delivers longer recording time at the expense of a shorter pickup range.
  • AI features continue to evolve via the Plaud app with expanded input options and an interactive “Ask Plaud” capability.
  • Pricing includes a baseline of 300 transcription minutes per month with scalable annual plans.
  • The device remains MagSafe-compatible and integrates tightly with the Plaud AI ecosystem.

FAQ

  • Q: What are the main hardware upgrades on the Plaud Note Pro? A: Two additional microphones for broader audio pickup (16.4 feet), a 1‑inch display for battery, status, and mode, and automatic switching between call and in‑person recording.
  • Q: How long does the Note Pro record, and what’s the endurance option? A: It records up to 30 hours by default; endurance mode extends to 50 hours, with a reduced pickup range of 9.8 feet.
  • Q: How does pricing and transcription minutes work? A: The device is $179 at preorder, shipping in October. It includes 300 transcription minutes per month by default; $99.99/year for 1,200 minutes with priority access, or $239.99/year for unlimited minutes.
  • Q: What new features are coming in October? A: A Plaud app update will allow text input and image uploads from phones, plus an “Ask Plaud” feature to query the content.
  • Q: Can base Note users highlight content too? A: Yes. Highlighting isn’t exclusive to the Note Pro; base Note users can highlight details through the Plaud app or iOS widget.

References

More news