Taking notes during meetings is often unwelcome yet remains essential for capturing important discussions and decisions. For those seeking a more efficient way, the Plaud NotePin promises a compelling alternative – the compact AI-powered voice recorder aims to simplify the note-taking process through smart transcribing and summarising.
On first impressions, the device appears thoughtfully designed. Small and lightweight, it resembles a smooth grey pebble with a matte finish that gives the impression of brushed metal. The build quality feels premium, and its understated aesthetic suits business and casual environments.
At the centre of the device, a discreet multifunction button controls recordings. At the top, a small hole allows you to string up the Plaud NotePin to be worn as a pendant.
The magnetic back plate can be also detached to fasten the device to a shirt or jacket. For added flexibility, the recording device also comes with a wrist strap that transforms it into a watch-like accessory.
Removing the magnetic back reveals the charging contact points, which connect to a dock via a USB-C cable. With a battery life of up to 20 hours of continuous recording and 40 days on standby, frequent charging is rarely necessary.
In practical use, the Plaud NotePin is straightforward to operate. A long press on the central button activates the device, confirmed by a vibration and indicator light. Recording can be ended in the same way, with two short vibrations indicating that a session has stopped.
The device packs in 64GB of storage, sufficient for up to 480 minutes of recorded content. That’s more than enough for a full day of meetings or seminars.
To access the transcription features, you have to download the Plaud mobile app. Once connected, the app automatically syncs with the recorder, transferring and deleting audio files that are uploaded. By tapping the Generate button, the app begins processing the recordings using AI-powered transcription.
One of the app’s most impressive features is its ability to identify and separate different speakers within a conversation. This makes it significantly easier to follow multi-person discussions and maintain context.
The summary tool provides a concise overview of the meeting’s main points for those in a rush. The app also creates a visual mind map of the conversation, helping users trace the flow of ideas more intuitively.
The transcription performs generally well, particularly when the conversation is conducted in standard English. The app supports several other languages, including Mandarin, Cantonese, Japanese, Bahasa Melayu, and Indonesian, making it suitable for multilingual environments. However, performance may falter when confronted with regional dialects or informal speech.
In my tests involving Singlish – English commonly spoken in Singapore – the AI occasionally misinterpreted words, resulting in minor transcription errors. Fortunately, the app allows users to play back recordings alongside the transcript, ensuring that meanings are not entirely lost when the text alone falls short.
Audio quality is generally serviceable, though not outstanding. Given the device’s small form factor and dual-microphone setup, it occasionally struggles with clarity, especially in larger rooms or when participants speak from a distance. This limitation in hardware contributes to occasional inaccuracies in transcription and speaker identification.
A notable drawback lies in the app’s subscription model. New users receive 300 minutes of AI transcription at no cost, but beyond that, be ready to pay up.
The Pro annual plan, which provides 1,200 minutes of transcription, costs S$136.98, while the Unlimited monthly plan goes for S$44.98. These rates may be a little high for students or other users with heavy recording needs but limited budgets.
On the whole, the Plaud NotePin is a handy device that pairs with a capable AI-powered transcription service, as long as you stick to “standard” English. It makes short work of taking down notes and helps you focus on the discussion instead.
Note that the Plaud NotePin is available in two versions – a standalone model costs S$229 while a complete bundle including accessories such as the lanyard and wrist strap goes for S$259.
To sum up, the Plaud NotePin is a great example of how AI can make life easier. Instead of spending time listening to entire recordings, I get everything I need in a flash, whether it’s a transcript, a quick summary, or even a mind map. It’s a helpful way to stay efficient and save time.
