ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. (BLOOM) — For journalists, creators and anyone who depends on clear communication, taking notes during an interview or meeting can get in the way of the real goal: being present in the conversation.

That’s where the PLAUD NOTE steps in.

Developed by Plaud AI, the compact $159 device offers a refreshingly simple solution to a frustrating problem, accurately recording, transcribing and summarizing conversations in real time. After using it for interviews over the past few weeks, I can say confidently: this is the most useful gadget I’ve added to my reporting kit in years.

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About the size of a credit card and weighing just over an ounce, the PLAUD NOTE attaches magnetically to your phone or sits on the table during meetings. A single button starts a recording session, which can last up to 30 hours on one charge. The onboard AI, powered by major models like GPT-4.1, Claude 3.7 Sonnet, and Gemini 2.5 Pro, transcribes your recordings into structured, easy-to-read notes with surprising accuracy.

More impressively, the system automatically recognizes different speakers, auto-paragraphs content, and uses templates tailored for interviews, lectures, voice memos, or business meetings.

Real-World Test: A Journalist’s Dream

In my own workflow, PLAUD NOTE has been a game-changer. During interviews, it frees me to maintain eye contact and focus on the subject rather than scribbling quotes. The summaries it creates afterward are professional enough to use as-is for prep notes or even early article drafts.

The cloud sync feature makes organizing content easy, and unlimited storage means I never worry about maxing out space. It supports 112 languages, which may be overkill for most users, but for international journalists or students, it’s a powerful plus.

Who It’s For

Whether you’re a student, small business owner, content creator, or corporate professional, PLAUD NOTE delivers value. The starter package includes the device, a magnetic phone case, charging cable, ring attachment, and a free $60 AI plan, all bundled in at the $159 price.

It’s ideal for:

• Journalists who need real-time transcripts of interviews
• Students recording lectures
• Business professionals leading meetings
• Creatives capturing spontaneous ideas via voice memos

Final Verdict

PLAUD NOTE is one of those rare devices that feels like it’s solving a problem you didn’t know could be fixed so cleanly. It’s intuitive, efficient, and extremely accurate. And with its sleek, ultra-light design and robust privacy controls, it slips into your daily life without any friction.

Bottom Line: If you’ve ever struggled to capture every word during a meeting or wished you could “just listen” during an interview without missing anything, this is your solution.