AI devices that listen and write things down

A growing number of devices are designed to listen, transcribe, and help people remember everyday conversations. Some are wearables. Some are small recorders. Others sit somewhere between hardware and software.

Together, they point to a shift in how memory, voice, and technology are starting to work together.

Below is a snapshot of the AI transcription devices available today or recently, including what they do, how they work, and who they tend to be for.

Legend

What it is
Legend is a pendant-style, voice-first AI device designed to help people remember conversations, ideas, and moments without relying on screens or constant interaction. It is intentionally designed for people with ADHD, where memory gaps, context switching, and cognitive overload are everyday realities.

How it works
Worn throughout the day, Legend captures spoken moments and uses AI to surface summaries, key points, and recall later through a companion experience. The emphasis is on remembering what mattered, not recording everything that was said.

Why it matters
Legend treats memory as infrastructure rather than output. Transcription is a means, not the end. The goal is continuity over time and relief from mental load, especially for people who struggle to hold context across conversations and days.

Legend is positioned as a premium, luxury device. It is the most expensive option in this category by design, prioritizing materials, discretion, and a calm experience over mass-market accessibility.

Best for
People with ADHD and others who want voice-first memory support that fits naturally into daily life and who value a premium, considered object rather than a utilitarian recorder.

Bee

What it is
Bee is a voice-first wearable designed to listen passively throughout the day and turn conversations into summaries, reminders, and daily memory logs.

How it works
The device can be worn or clipped on and captures ambient audio. A companion app turns that audio into chronological summaries and to-dos.

Why it matters
Bee focuses on ambient memory. Rather than precise transcripts, it aims to give people a sense of what happened across a day.

Best for
People curious about everyday memory assistance who want something accessible and low-friction.

Limitless

What it is
Limitless was a pendant-style AI wearable focused on capturing real-world conversations and turning them into searchable transcripts and summaries.

How it worked
The device recorded conversations, particularly meetings and discussions, and converted them into structured transcripts and highlights through an app.

Why it mattered
Limitless emphasized structured recall. It treated conversations as information that could be searched, referenced, and reused later.

Best for
Professionals and users who wanted detailed, accurate recall of meetings and spoken information.

Current status
Following its acquisition by Meta, Limitless stopped selling new devices and shifted to supporting existing users.

Omi

What it is
Omi is a voice AI platform focused on transcription, summaries, and turning spoken content into tasks and reminders.

How it works
Rather than relying on a single dedicated device, Omi integrates with existing hardware and software to provide transcription and action extraction.

Why it matters
Omi bridges transcription and productivity by focusing on what happens after something is said.

Best for
People who want spoken conversations to directly feed into workflows and task systems.

Plaud NotePin

What it is
The Plaud NotePin is a compact AI recorder that can be worn as a pin, necklace, or attached to a phone.

How it works
It records audio and uses AI to generate transcripts and summaries in a companion app.

Why it matters
It brings reliable transcription into a small, portable form factor without requiring a broader wearable ecosystem.

Best for
Interviews, lectures, meetings, and situations where portable recording and transcription are the priority.

Anker Soundcore Work AI Recorder

What it is
A small, clip-on AI recorder designed for professional transcription.

How it works
Users tap to record and access searchable transcripts and summaries through an app.

Why it matters
It offers strong transcription performance in a minimal, utilitarian device.

Best for
People who want straightforward recording and transcription without a broader memory system.

How these devices differ

While all of these tools involve listening and transcription, they differ in intent.

Some treat speech as data to be captured and searched. Others treat it as context to be summarized. Some are built for work and productivity. Others aim to support everyday life more quietly.

Legend sits in a distinct position. It uses transcription, but it is not built around transcripts. It is designed around memory over time, especially for people whose minds move faster than their tools.

What to consider when choosing

When looking at AI transcription devices, a few questions help clarify fit.

Do you want exact transcripts or high-level recall. Do you want something for meetings or something that lives with you all day. Do you want a recorder or a memory system.

Form factor, battery life, subscriptions, and price all matter. But intent matters more.

What do you want remembering to feel like.

A shifting category

AI transcription devices are no longer experimental curiosities. They are becoming everyday tools. As voice-first computing matures, the line between recording, remembering, and understanding continues to blur.

The devices listed here represent different answers to the same question.

How should technology help us remember.

0 comments