Plaud Note: A quick review of an AI-enabled voice recorder for business meetings and lectures
By ForGeeks The Plaud Note recorder (if you can call it that) is a compact and modern recorder with artificial intelligence designed to quickly create and structure GPT-4-based recordings. Its unique transcribing and automatic summary creation capabilities make it an excellent choice for students, journalists and professionals who need high-quality and fast audio processing.
The Plaud Note is a compact, state-of-the-art recorder designed for fast and easy transcribing and structuring of GPT-4-based recordings.
It just so happens that I happened to be at the IFA 2024 trade show in Berlin in September 2024. I don’t think I’ve been to it in the last 6 years, but not much has changed there. However, this time, of course, it was all held under the auspices of artificial intelligence. Plaud did not exhibit in the main halls, but was present at Showstoppers. This is a platform for startups, where you can quickly tell journalists about your projects in one evening. Unfortunately, due to scheduling problems, I didn’t make it to Showstoppers, but, as they say, don’t have 100 rubles, but have 100 friends. My friend Kirill Milkus, to whom I am very grateful for his help in preparing this material, went to the event, tested Plaud Note device, told me everything and even let me try it. In general, this is not a full-fledged review of the Plaud gadget, but a kind of first look.
My friend Kirill Milkus.
Design and usability of the Plaud Note
Plaud Note impresses with its compact and elegant design. Made of durable aluminum alloy, the Plaud Note is lightweight and sturdy while maintaining a stylish look. The device is available in several colors including “black”, “silver” and “starlight” which adds to its sophistication. It’s similar in size to a bank card, but thicker, of course.
With a minimalistic body weighing just 30 grams, the device is easy to hold, and with MagSafe and Qi2 support, it attaches to the back of an iPhone, allowing you to record phone calls in high-definition. This portability makes Plaud Note an indispensable companion for everyday life.
Main features and recording modes of the Plaud Note
Plaud Note provides two key recording modes: phone call recording and voice notes. Switching between modes is intuitive and is accomplished with a single movement of a physical lever right on the device.
Plaud Note.
- Voice Notes: Plaud Note can also record notes and lectures. The device can be held in your hand or placed on a table: two high-quality noise-canceling Knowles microphones provide clear sound, making your voice stand out even in background noise
- Call Recording: In call mode, the Plaud Note attaches to the back of your phone, recording conversations with high clarity. However, it is important to remember that call recording is not allowed in all regions, so it is recommended to check the laws before using this feature.
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Plaud app: transcribing and summary
When the recording is complete, Plaud Note automatically transfers the audio files to a smartphone app where they are processed. Using GPT-4, the recordings are quickly transcribed and summarized into a concise summary. This is especially useful for long meetings or lectures where you need to quickly get the highlights of the conversation. The app serves as a link between your device and your smartphone, allowing you to:
Transcribe and summarize your notes quickly.
- Multilingual transcription support and speaker markup: For more detailed recordings, paid subscriptions provide additional features such as speaker markup, resume creation, and multitasking templates.
- Automatic Synchronization of Recordings: After you finish recording, Plaud Note synchronizes with the app via Bluetooth or Wi-Fi, transferring files for further processing.
- Transcribing and text structuring: Transcription templates such as “Meeting”, “Lecture” and “Consultation” can be selected in the app, making it easy to work with notes. A summary is generated in seconds, allowing the user to quickly get the main content of a long note.
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Plaud Note’s built-in memory and autonomy
The device is equipped with 64GB of internal memory. This is enough capacity to store up to 480 hours of recordings, which is equivalent to almost a year of audio notes. This avoids the need to constantly clear memory and save files to other media.
In continuous recording mode, the device holds a charge for up to 30 hours, ideal for multi-day meetings or lectures. In standby mode, the Plaud Note holds a charge for up to 60 days, allowing you to use it for extended periods of time without recharging. The device charges via a unique cable, as its design is too thin to use a standard USB-C. That could be a drawback if the cable needs to be replaced.
The Plaud Note has a unique cable that’s too thin to use a standard USB-C cable.
Subscription and pricing for the Plaud Note
When users purchase Plaud Note, they get access to an initial plan with 300 minutes of transcribing per month. To increase the limit, there are paid subscriptions that include 1,200 minutes of transcribing as well as additional features. The device is priced at $159, but for heavy use, a subscription may be a necessity, especially for professionals who want more options for audio processing.
Accordingly, Plaud Note is a great value.
Disadvantages of the Plaud Note
Although Plaud Note offers high-quality transcription and summarization, users may miss a few features. For example, unlike Google Pixel, which processes voice in real time, Plaud Note requires uploading data to the app. This increases latency, especially if the recording is done during a meeting and you need to quickly verify what was said. In addition, the unique charging cable and tight fit in the case can make the device uncomfortable to use. And of course, if you have a lot of audio work to do, you’ll have to pay a lot for a subscription.
Plaud Note Summary
Plaud Note is a compact and high-tech voice recorder that suits users who need convenient and fast AI-assisted transcribing. Its user-friendly design, high-quality recording, and app integration allow you to turn ordinary audio recordings into handy text notes. Although Plaud Note lags behind some competitors when it comes to instant transcribing and uses a non-standard cable, these shortcomings are offset by its features and overall usability. It’s a powerful tool for students, journalists, and business professionals who need to process audio recordings quickly and efficiently.
