Hardware maker Plaud has unveiled a new AI-powered notetaker called Plaud NotePin S, alongside a desktop application designed to capture and structure notes from digital meetings. The launch comes just ahead of this year’s Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, signaling Plaud’s intent to expand beyond in-person note-taking and into the crowded market for AI meeting assistants.
The company first introduced its pin-style notetaker in 2024, a device that received positive reviews for its simplicity and focus on real-world conversations. The new NotePin S builds on that foundation, adding more tactile control while keeping the form factor small enough for constant, everyday use.
A Physical Button for Real-World Conversations
The most noticeable upgrade in the NotePin S is the addition of a physical button that allows users to start and stop recordings instantly. During a recording, users can tap the button to highlight key moments—similar to functionality already available on the company’s higher-end Plaud Note Pro. This design choice reflects Plaud’s emphasis on in-person meetings, interviews, and spontaneous conversations where pulling out a phone or laptop can be disruptive.
Priced at $179, the NotePin S ships with multiple accessories, including a clip, lanyard, magnetic pin, and wristband. This flexibility allows users to wear the device in different ways depending on context, reinforcing its positioning as a tool for people who are frequently on the move. Plaud is also adding Apple Find My support, making it easier to locate the device if it’s misplaced.
Familiar Hardware, Refined Use Case
Under the hood, the NotePin S retains the core specifications of its predecessor. It includes 64GB of onboard storage and supports up to 20 hours of continuous recording on a single charge. The device uses two MEMS microphones capable of capturing clear audio within a range of approximately 9.8 feet, making it suitable for small group conversations and one-on-one meetings.
Users receive 300 minutes of transcription per month for free, with additional transcription available through paid plans. Compared to the Note Pro, the NotePin S offers a shorter recording range and lower battery life, but it is also smaller and easier to carry using its various accessories. Plaud says the device is aimed at users who prioritise portability over extended recording sessions.
Plaud’s Broader Push Into Meeting Notes
The NotePin S is Plaud’s fourth hardware product, and the company says it has sold more than 1.5 million devices to date. Until now, Plaud’s strategy has largely focused on capturing in-person meetings and conversations. With this launch, that scope is widening.
Alongside the new hardware, Plaud introduced a desktop client designed to compete with AI meeting notetakers such as Granola, Fathom, and Fireflies. The desktop app works across multiple meeting platforms and can automatically detect when a meeting is active, prompting users to capture the transcript.
Desktop App Brings AI Notes to Digital Meetings
On macOS, the Plaud desktop app captures meetings using system audio rather than relying on individual app integrations. Once captured, the audio is transcribed and structured into notes using AI, mirroring the workflow Plaud users are already familiar with on mobile.
The company is also extending its multimodal note-taking capabilities to the desktop. Users can now combine audio transcripts with typed notes and images in a single workspace, a feature Plaud first introduced last year on its mobile apps. This positions the desktop client not just as a recorder, but as a broader knowledge management tool for meetings.
From Pins to Platforms
With the NotePin S and the new desktop app, Plaud is signaling a shift from being a niche hardware maker to a more comprehensive AI note-taking platform. The strategy appears to be about meeting users wherever conversations happen—whether in a conference room, on the street, or inside a video call.
As AI-powered productivity tools continue to multiply, Plaud is betting that a combination of simple hardware, flexible software, and cross-context note-taking will help it stand out. Ahead of CES 2026, the message is clear: Plaud doesn’t just want to record conversations—it wants to own how people remember them.
