A new category of artificial intelligence hardware is gaining traction, with startups launching wearable and pocket-sized devices designed to record, transcribe, and summarize meetings and conversations. Companies like Plaud and others are offering pins, pendants, and card-sized gadgets that aim to provide more accurate audio capture than smartphones for AI processing. These devices automate the creation of notes, identify action items, and in some cases, offer multi-language translation.
The trend signals a shift towards specialized hardware for AI applications, competing with established software-only services like Otter.ai and Fireflies.ai. While many of the companies are startups, the space is attracting attention from major tech firms, as evidenced by Meta's late 2025 acquisition of Limitless, the maker of a popular AI pendant. The hardware typically involves a one-time purchase cost, often supplemented with optional subscriptions for advanced AI features.