One of the best uses of Generative AI is in audio transcription. These days, you can record the audio from a meeting or lecture, and use Gen AI to first convert it to text, and then summarise or adapt the content for your needs.
My method is very manual though. After recording audio with my phone, I will process the MP3 file using Whisper (from OpenAI). Then, I use the paid versions of ChatGPT or Claude to clean up the text. It’s a process only a nerd could love.
So, when IT distributor Ban Leong invited me to try out the Plaud Note (S$229), a Gen AI-powered transcription device that does the above without the technical hassle, I figured it would be a convenient alternative for the masses.
The Plaud Note is an ultra-thin (2.5mm) device that can be attached to the back of an iPhone using the bundled MagSafe ring attachment or stored separately in its included magnetic case. When you start recording with the device, the mobile Plaud app on your phone will automatically detect the process. After recording, the audio file appears in the app, and you can send it to Plaud’s servers to convert audio to text, clean up the text, and do instant summaries and translations.
Plaud’s website says that the AI processing was “developed on ChatGPT 4o and Claude 3.5 Sonnet.” I wonder if that means it uses their APIs or that Plaud has developed its own engine. Plaud also uses Whisper to convert the audio to text in the language of your choice.
THE GOOD:
– The Plaud Note worked well in different scenarios that I tried. I recorded a classroom lecture, a Zoom call, YouTube videos, and a bilingual church sermon. The transcription was fast (about a minute or so) and also accurate as far as I could tell.
– The text summaries were succinct and useful, and you even get a cool mind map to chart out the different segments of the audio.
– Despite the tiny mics on the Plaud, the quality of recorded audio was good enough for transcription.
– The battery life is very good. It stayed in my bag for two weeks without losing power, and I was able to record for over 6 hours without having to recharge. There’s 64GB of storage onboard, so you can record for about 30 hours.
THE NOT-SO-GOOD
– Each month, you get 300 minutes of free AI transcription and summarisation. Once depleted, you can buy extra minutes or sign up for a subscription plan.
– Plaud’s subscription plans are pricey. According to the app, an additional 600 minutes costs $14 USD. The Pro plan offers 1,200 minutes for $120, while the Unlimited plan costs $360.
I’m sure Plaud has gotten a lot of feedback on its pricing, and they’ve dropped the pricing on their website. The Pro Plan is now $79 USD while the Unlimited plan is now $239 USD.
Overall, this device-and-app system is a very convenient solution for AI transcription and note-taking. Every app feature works without any fuss, and the transcription is fast and accurate. Plaud should reconsider its subscription pricing to appeal to a wider audience.