AI note-taking devices can help you record and transcribe your meetings

Digital meeting note takers like Read AI, Fireflies.ai, Fathom, and Granola help record and transcribe online meetings. But for personal or more versatile options, many people prefer actual recording devices. Actual note takers transcribe audio and deliver user summaries and meeting action items using artificial intelligence.

Some of these devices are wearable — pins or necklaces with dedicated microphones for recording — while others are the size of a credit card with dedicated mobile apps for transcribing and extracting insights using artificial intelligence. A few even offer live translation.

Below is a non-exhaustive list of actual AI-powered note takers and transcription tools.

Black Note / Black Note Pro

This credit card-sized note-taking device has been around since 2023, with a more recent Pro version powered by AI that has a small screen and four microphones, and records audio within a range of three to five metres. It can also switch between personal 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 Rectangular Note Taker is priced at $159 and includes 600 free transcription minutes. The company claims that the device offers real-time transcription and translation with support for more than 120 languages. The device provides 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 shortened podcast versions of a conversation.

Comolitic Note Pro

Comulytic is one of the new entrants to the AI-powered note-taking devices market. The company’s claim of distinction is that the $159 Note Pro doesn’t require any additional subscription for the basic version. This means you can burn unlimited minutes once you purchase the device.

The device can record up to 45 hours of audio continuously 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 summary templates, a list of action items, and chat with the AI ​​assistant without any limits.

Plaud NotePin/Plaud NotePin S

The Plaud NotePin and NotePin S are the smaller, more pocket-friendly versions of the company’s larger Note and Note Pro devices. The NotePin has a versatile design: you can wear it as a wristband, a necklace, clip it to your bag, or wear it on your shirt with a magnetic attachment. Notably, the lanyard and wristband are only available with the NotePin S.

Both devices have two microphones, and can record about 20 hours of audio continuously on a single charge. The NotePin S has a physical button to start/stop recording and capture highlights.

Both are priced similarly to their credit card counterparts. The NotePin is $159, and the NotePin S is $179.

Omi necklace

The Omi Necklace is a cheaper alternative to other note takers at $89. This is because the pendant must be connected to your phone and does not have any built-in memory. The device has two microphones and can run for 10 to 14 hours on a charge.

Although Omi has its own app, you can use other apps since the hardware and software are open source. Users have also built different connectors and applications for the device.

Via recdot

Viaim’s earbuds allow for transcription during calls, with additional recording capabilities in the earbud box. These headphones are priced at $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 copy.

The work of Anker Soundcore

Anker’s Soundcore Work Pin is a coin-sized AI note-taking device with a disc-shaped battery. The company says the $159 device can record for eight hours without interruption, or up to 32 hours if the pin is attached to its case.

Anker claims that the device has a recording range of five metres. Users get 300 minutes of free transcription per month.