Plaid adds button to NotePin, enhancing audio transcription and summary features
Plaid just rolled out a hardware tweak that could change how users interact with its NotePin device. The company announced a new button, replacing the original squeeze‑and‑buzz method that many early adopters grew accustomed to. While the original design leaned on pressure‑sensing to trigger recordings, the update promises a more tactile, click‑based start.
It's a modest shift, but one that speaks to a broader push for simplicity in AI‑assisted note‑taking. The move also aligns with Plaid’s recent focus on integrating generative language models directly into everyday tools. By swapping a long press for a single press, the firm hopes to reduce friction for anyone trying to capture a quick thought or a longer meeting.
Here's the thing: the change isn’t just about ergonomics—it also ties into how the device processes spoken input and returns written output. The upcoming details explain exactly what that means for transcription and summary generation.
Like the NotePin, it records audio and generates transcriptions and summaries, whether those are meeting notes, action points, or reminders. Whereas the first NotePin used haptic controls, relying on a long squeeze to start recording, with a short buzz to let you know it worked, the S switches to so
Like the NotePin, it records audio and generates transcriptions and summaries, whether those are meeting notes, action points, or reminders. Whereas the first NotePin used haptic controls, relying on a long squeeze to start recording, with a short buzz to let you know it worked, the S switches to something simpler. A long press of the button starts recording, a short tap adds highlight markers.
Plaud's explanation for the change is simple: buttons are less ambiguous, so you'll always know you've successfully pressed it and started recording, whereas original NotePin users complained they sometimes failed to record because they hadn't squeezed just right. AI recorders like this live or die by ease of use, so removing a little friction gives Plaud better odds of survival. Alongside the NotePin S, Plaud is launching a new Mac and PC application for recording the audio from online meetings.
Will the button make the device more usable? The new NotePin S adds a physical button where the original relied on a squeeze and buzz. A button, finally.
Apart from that, the hardware remains the same, and the core functions—audio capture, transcription, and summary generation—are unchanged. Plaud also bundles a desktop application that lets hardware owners record meeting audio from their computers at no extra cost. No extra charge.
The app extends the recorder’s reach into online meetings, but it's only available to existing Plaud Note or NotePin customers. How the button will affect user workflow is not detailed, and whether the desktop tool integrates smoothly with various conferencing platforms remains unclear. The company’s description suggests the button replaces the haptic squeeze, yet no performance data are provided.
Overall, Plaud’s updates preserve the original recorder’s capabilities while offering a modest hardware tweak and a free software add‑on; whether these changes translate into measurable productivity gains is still to be determined.
Further Reading
- Plaud AI Changes Note-Taking Forever at CES 2025 - IAMTALLBOY
- PLAUD NotePin Review: World's Most Wearable AI - Cybernews
- Fix Bad Memory NOW! - Plaud AI Note Pin Review & Unboxing - YouTube Review
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Common Questions Answered
What functional change does the new button introduce to the NotePin S compared to the original squeeze‑and‑buzz method?
The new button replaces the pressure‑sensing squeeze‑and‑buzz controls with a tactile click interface. A long press of the button now starts audio recording, while a short tap adds highlight markers, making the interaction less ambiguous.
How does the short tap function of the NotePin S button affect audio note‑taking?
A short tap on the NotePin S button inserts a highlight marker into the ongoing recording. These markers help users later identify important moments when reviewing transcriptions or summaries.
Does the hardware update to the NotePin S alter its core capabilities such as audio transcription and summary generation?
No, the hardware update only adds a physical button; the core functions remain unchanged. The device still captures audio, generates transcriptions, and produces summaries of meetings, action points, or reminders.
What additional feature does Plaid provide for NotePin owners through a desktop application?
Plaid bundles a free desktop application that lets hardware owners record meeting audio directly from their computers. This extends the NotePin's reach into online meetings without any extra charge.