Plaud Launches New AI Pin and Desktop Meeting Notetaker Ahead of CES 2026

Hardware maker Plaud has announced the launch of a new AI-powered notetaking device, the Plaud NotePin S, along with a new desktop app designed to capture and organise notes from digital meetings. The announcements come ahead of this year’s Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas.

Plaud first introduced its pin-style AI notetaker in 2024, which received positive feedback at launch. The newly announced NotePin S builds on that design by adding a physical button that lets users start and stop recordings manually. During a recording session, users can also tap the button to highlight specific moments, a feature similar to the one found on the recently launched Plaud Note Pro.

Priced at $179, the Plaud NotePin S ships with multiple accessories, including a clip, lanyard, magnetic pin, and wristband, allowing users to wear the device in different ways. Plaud is also adding support for Apple Find My, enabling users to locate the pin if it is misplaced.

The device retains the exact core specifications as the previous generation. It includes 64GB of onboard storage and offers up to 20 hours of continuous recording—the NotePin S features two MEMS (Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems) microphones that capture clear audio up to 9.8 feet away. Users receive 300 minutes of transcription per month at no additional cost.

Compared to the Note Pro, the NotePin S offers a shorter recording range and lower battery life. However, it is smaller and more portable, making it easier to carry using the included accessories. Plaud said the device is designed for users who are frequently on the move.

Image Credits: Plaud

The launch marks Plaud’s fourth hardware product. The company said it has sold more than 1.5 million devices to date. While Plaud’s earlier products focused primarily on in-person meetings, the company is now expanding into digital meeting transcription with a new desktop client.

The desktop app is designed to compete with meeting notetakers such as Granola, Fathom, and Fireflies. According to Plaud, the app can detect when a meeting is active on supported platforms and prompt users to start capturing transcripts.

On macOS, the app records meetings using system audio and then uses AI to structure the transcription into organised notes. Plaud also confirmed that it is bringing multimodal notetaking features—introduced in its mobile app last year—to the desktop version. These features allow users to combine audio recordings, images, and typed notes in a single work.