Plaud is launching earphones that come with an eSIM-enabled case, allowing users to talk to AI agents without a phone or computer.
Hardware makers have long pushed microphones into pendants, rings, and wristbands to grab AI use cases. Most have failed to stand out. Plaud has over 2.5 million users across its hardware and software. The new device, the Plaud One, looks like Apple’s AirPods. It records calls and stores voice notes in the case for in-person conversations.
Rivals Viaim and Anker already sell similar note-taking earbuds. Plaud believes its software and AI capabilities will differentiate the product. The earbuds transcribe conversations, and the AI agent can connect to Gmail, Google Calendar, Notion, and Slack. It can draft follow-up emails or create documents and presentations from the recording.
Software tools like Granola, Fathom, and Read AI have offered similar workflow automation for some time. They transcribe calls and let users instruct an AI agent to perform tasks. The Plaud One adds the eSIM feature to the case. This lets users instruct Plaud’s AI remotely.
The Plaud One uses 12mm drivers with active noise cancellation. The case captures voices clearly up to five metres away. Earphones record six hours of in-person meetings or three hours of calls on a single charge. Combined with the case, users can record up to 25 hours of conversation.
Buyers receive 300 minutes of free transcription per month. Additional plans start from $8.33 per month when paid annually.
This launch appears to be a trial run. Plaud One is limited in quantity. The startup wants to gauge demand for AI-focused earphones before committing to the format.
Plaud is building agentic capabilities expected to arrive in an update in coming months. The company will introduce a credit-based system for different tasks. Buyers of the Plaud One get $200 in credits.
Plaud reported an annual run-rate revenue of $100 million in June. Competition remains intense. YC-backed Pocket has reached that milestone. New hardware note-takers release every week. Other companies like Anker, Comu, Viaim, and software startup Genspark are building in the space.
Plaud CEO Nathan Xu argues for an interface to talk to AI that works from anywhere. He says earbuds meet that need.
“[For AI] we need to have a wearable and an always-ready interface, one that people love to wear, is socially acceptable and private by design,” he said in a briefing.
The company may find it challenging to draw users away from AirPods, Google Pixel Buds, Samsung Galaxy Buds, or other wireless earbuds paired with note-taking apps. Xu says Plaud is not competing against these companies. It is positioning its meeting-recording tech to adopt a popular wearable format.
Users can pre-order the device now for $249. It will ship in the fourth quarter of 2026.
What it means
The eSIM feature changes how people interact with the tool. Users do not need to pull out a phone to give instructions. They can speak to the AI directly through the case.
