Plaud One earbuds record and transcribe conversations without a phone
Plaud's new earbuds, the Plaud One, can record and transcribe in-person and online conversations without needing a smartphone. The charging case includes LTE connectivity and works with carriers in over 80 countries, offering up to 30 hours of audio storage. Users can invoke an AI assistant to generate reports and take actions across apps like Gmail and Slack.
The Plaud One builds on the company's earlier Note devices, which attached magnetically to phones for recording and transcription. By moving LTE connectivity into the charging case, Plaud eliminates the need for a companion device entirely, with carrier agreements spanning more than 80 countries and regions. The case also contains its own microphones, allowing recording without wearing the earbuds.
Audio captured from video calling apps like Google Meet and Zoom is handled natively, and uploads go directly to Plaud's servers for transcription and summarization before users return to their desks. The earbuds support Bluetooth 5.4 with multipoint pairing, though codec support is limited to SBC and LDAC, meaning iPhone users miss out on higher-quality playback. Battery life is rated at six hours for music with ANC off, or roughly four hours for calls, with the case providing up to 36 additional hours.
This device could appeal to professionals who frequently attend meetings and want automated note-taking without relying on a phone. It may also raise privacy considerations, as continuous recording and cloud transcription of conversations could affect how people speak in both workplace and social settings. The integration with productivity apps like Gmail and Slack suggests a workflow-oriented audience, though the limited codec support and niche use case may keep it from broader consumer adoption.