Hardware companies have realized that note-taking is one of the easiest AI use cases to build, and as a result, they’re busy embedding microphones in everything from pendants and rings to credit card-sized packs and wristbands. Still, despite the variety of devices, only a few companies stand out.
One of these companies, Plaud, has more than 2.5 million people using its hardware or software. The company is now launching a new form factor of notepads called earbuds. The product, called Plaud One, takes the simple, bare-bones style of Apple’s Airpods and allows you to record calls, as well as use the case to record in-person conversations and take notes.
Plaud is not the first to use this form factor. Rivals Viaim and Anker already have similar note-taking earphones on the market.
But the company is betting on software and AI technology to differentiate them. Once the earbuds transcribe the conversation, its AI agent (which can connect to tools like Gmail, Google Calendar, Notion, and Slack) can write follow-up emails or create documents or presentations based on the conversation, Proud said.
It’s not a special pitch per se. Software notetakers like Granola, Fathom, and Read AI have been offering similar workflow automation for a while, allowing you to transcribe calls and conversations and then have AI agents perform various tasks.
However, Plaud One takes it a step further with a case that supports eSIM cards. The company says this feature will allow users to remotely instruct Plaud’s AI agents without using a mobile phone or computer.
The Plaud One is equipped with 12mm drivers and has active noise cancellation. The company says the case can clearly capture audio within a range of 5 meters, and the earbuds can record 6 hours of face-to-face meetings and 3 hours of calls on a single charge. When combined with the case, you can record up to 25 hours of conversations on a single charge.
Purchasers get 300 minutes of transcription per month for free, but after that they must purchase additional plans starting at $8.33 per month (paid annually).
However, this release appears to be a trial one. The Plaud One will be available in limited quantities, likely because the startup wants to gauge demand for such AI-focused earbuds before committing to this format.
Plaud is also working on building agent functionality, which will be delivered as part of an update in the coming months. The company says it has introduced a credit-based system for various tasks and that Plaud One buyers will receive a $200 credit for these tasks.
The company has been doing well so far, announcing in June that it had reached $100 million in annual run-rate revenue. However, the market is highly competitive, with new hardware notetakers being released every week. Its rival, YC-backed Pocket, has also reached that milestone, and many other companies are building in the space, including Anker, Comu, Viaim, and software startup Genspark.
Plaud CEO Nathan Xu believes that there is a need for an interface to interact with and summon AI from anywhere, and earbuds fill that need.
“[For AI]we need interfaces that are wearable and always ready – things that people like to wear, that are socially acceptable, and that are private by design,” he said in a briefing.
Still, the company may find it difficult to keep people away from using AirPods, Google Pixel Buds, Samsung Galaxy Buds, or any audio company’s wireless earbuds. They can do pretty much the same job when combined with any note-taking app.
But Xu said Plaud is not necessarily competing with these companies, but is positioning its meeting recording technology to be adopted by popular wearable formats.
Users can pre-order the device now for $249 and is expected to ship in the fourth quarter of 2026.
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