At CES 2026 in Las Vegas, Plaud has introduced the NotePin S, a small wearable recorder intended to simplify how conversations are captured and turned into usable notes. Alongside the hardware update, the company is also launching a desktop Meeting app, signaling a broader effort to connect in-person recording with virtual meeting transcription under a single platform.
The NotePin S is a follow-up to Plaud’s original pin-style recorder released in 2024. While the core idea remains the same, the design has been refined based on feedback from early users. One of the main usability changes is the move away from the squeeze-to-record mechanism. In its place is a dedicated physical button. A long press starts recording, while a short tap during a conversation marks a moment as important, prompting the system to pay closer attention to that segment during transcription and summarization.
Physically, the NotePin S is smaller and lighter than its predecessor, with an emphasis on being unobtrusive during daily use. Plaud includes several mounting options, including a clip, magnetic pin, lanyard, and wristband, allowing users to adapt it to different settings such as lectures, meetings, or casual conversations. The addition of support for Apple Find My addresses a practical concern for a device that can easily be misplaced, making it traceable in the same way as other small personal items.
Internally, the specifications are largely evolutionary. The device includes 64GB of storage, which Plaud estimates is enough for roughly 20 hours of continuous recording, along with up to 40 days of standby battery life. Dual microphones are designed to capture voices clearly within a range of about 10 feet, making the device suitable for one-on-one conversations or small group discussions. As with previous Plaud products, buyers receive an allocation of 300 minutes of AI-powered transcription per month, with paid plans required for heavier use.
The larger shift comes from the software side. Plaud’s new desktop Meeting app is designed to work with common communication tools such as Zoom, Slack, and Google Meet. It can automatically detect when a meeting starts and begin transcribing system audio, extending Plaud’s reach beyond physical spaces. The app also supports a multimodal workflow, allowing screenshots and typed notes to be combined with audio transcripts into a single summarized record.
Priced at $179, the NotePin S sits in a competitive space that includes both dedicated transcription services and multipurpose recording tools. Plaud’s strategy appears focused on offering a unified experience that covers both in-person and virtual interactions, rather than relying on hardware alone. Whether that approach resonates will likely depend on how well the software ecosystem holds up as users move between classrooms, offices, and remote meetings.
