Digital meeting note takers such as Read AI, Fireflies.ai, Fathom and Granola help record and transcribe online meetings. But for in-person or more flexible options, many people prefer physical recorders. These physical note-takers transcribe audio and give users summaries and action items of meetings using AI.
Some of these devices are wearable—pins or pendants with special microphones for recording—while others are credit card-sized with dedicated mobile apps to transcribe and extract information using AI. Some even offer live translation.
Below is a non-exhaustive list of natural AI notes and transcription tools.
Plaud Note/Plaud Note Pro
This credit card-sized notebook has been around since 2023, with a newer AI-powered Pro version that has a small screen, four microphones, and records audio from three to five meters away. It can also switch between in-person recording and call recording.
The Plaud Note costs $159, while the Note Pro costs $179. They come with 300 minutes of free transcription per month.
Mobvoi TicNote
Mobvi’s The rectangular notebook costs $159 and includes 600 free transcription minutes. The company claims that the device features real-time transcription and translation with support for more than 120 languages. The device offers 25 hours of continuous recording through its three microphones.
In terms of software features, TicNote offers automatic highlight extraction and the ability to create audio clips or condensed podcast versions of a conversation.
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Comulytic Note Pro
Comulytic is a newer entrant into the hardware AI notes market. The company’s claim to differentiation is that $159 Note Pro device does not require additional subscription for basic transcription. This means you can transfer unlimited minutes just by purchasing the device.
The device can record up to 45 hours of continuous audio on a single charge and has more than 100 days of standby time.
The company has an advanced plan for $15 per month or $119 per year that offers instant AI summaries, unlimited templates for summaries, a list of action items, and unlimited chat with the AI assistant.
Plaud NotePin/Plaud NotePin S
The Plaud NotePin and NotePin S are smaller, more pocketable versions of the company’s larger Note and Note Pro devices. NotePin has a versatile design: You can wear it as a wrist lanyard, a pendant, clip it to your bag or wear it on your shirt with a magnetic attachment. Note that the lanyard and wristband are only available with the NotePin S.
Both devices have two microphones and can record around 20 hours of continuous audio on a single charge. NotePin S has a physical button to start/stop recording and take notes.
Both are priced similarly to their credit card counterparts. The NotePin costs $159 and the NotePin S costs $179.
Hanging Omi
The Omi pendant it’s a cheaper alternative than other notebooks at $89. This is because the locket needs to be connected to your phone and has no built-in memory. The device has two microphones and can work for 10 to 14 hours on a charge.
While Omi has its own app, you can use other apps as the hardware and software are open source. Users have also created different slots and apps for the device.
Viaim RecDot
Viaim’s headphones allow transcription during calls, with additional recording capabilities in the earcup. These buds cost $200 and Viaim claims they can transcribe audio in up to 78 languages in real time. The company’s app can also highlight key points in transcripts.
Anker Soundcore Work
Anker’s Soundcore Work The pin is a coin-sized AI notebook with an elf-shaped battery. The $159 device can record for eight hours without breaks, or up to 32 hours if the pin is attached to its case, the company says.
Anker claims the device has a recording range of five meters. Users get 300 minutes of free transcription per month.
