Anker just crammed OpenAI's GPT-4o into a device smaller than a quarter. The company's new Soundcore Work AI recorder measures just 0.91 inches across but delivers 8-hour battery life and real-time transcription in 100+ languages, directly challenging established players like Plaud and setting a new benchmark for wearable AI hardware at $99.99.
Anker just fired the latest shot in the AI wearables race, and it's smaller than anyone expected. The company's new Soundcore Work recorder shrinks OpenAI's GPT-4o transcription engine into a coin-sized device that makes existing competitors look bulky by comparison.
Launching this September for $99.99, the Work measures just 0.91 inches across – smaller than a quarter's diameter, though slightly thicker. That's a significant size reduction from rivals like the Plaud NotePin and Bee, both of which have gained traction in the growing market for AI-powered meeting transcription tools.
"The coin-sized Work is designed to be discreet but includes LEDs that indicate when it's recording," according to Anker's official announcement, addressing privacy concerns that have dogged the wearable recording category since its emergence.
Despite its tiny footprint, the Work doesn't compromise on functionality. The device packs dual microphones, 8 hours of battery life, and most impressively, on-device GPT-4o processing that can transcribe audio in more than 100 languages without requiring a cloud connection. When the built-in battery runs low, Anker's proprietary charging case extends usage up to 32 total hours.
The device takes a privacy-first approach that could differentiate it in a market where data security concerns run high. "Recordings are encrypted and processed locally for privacy reasons but can be bounced through the cloud if you desire to share them with someone," Anker explains, giving users control over where their sensitive meeting data gets processed.
Unlike always-on recording devices that have raised workplace surveillance concerns, the Work requires manual activation through a single tap, with a double-tap feature to mark important conversation moments for later highlighting in transcripts. This deliberate interaction model addresses one of the biggest friction points in the AI wearables category.
