iFLYTEK AINote 2: The Ultimate AI-Powered E-Ink Tablet for Live Offline Audio Transcription

Last year, I had the opportunity to review the Plaud Note and Note Pro, devices that allowed users to record meetings and utilize AI to transcribe them, generating meeting notes and mind maps. As someone who often attends product briefings and meetings, and who also has ADHD, I found these tools to be incredibly useful. They saved me from the inconvenience of taking notes by hand and prevented me from forgetting important details.

Later on, I also reviewed the iFLYTEK Smart Recorder. On paper, it seemed like an excellent alternative as it provided live offline voice transcription without the need for a subscription. However, in practice, my experience with it was not as great as with the Plaud devices. The accuracy was inconsistent, and it lacked the AI features such as meeting notes. While it wasn’t terrible, it didn’t quite meet my expectations.

Another device that has gained popularity among individuals with ADHD is the reMarkable e-ink tablet. Although my personal experience with it is limited, those who own one tend to speak highly of it.

When iFLYTEK offered me the chance to review the AINote 2, I was intrigued. This e-ink tablet, similar to the reMarkable, offered live voice transcription and translation, along with the AI features I appreciated on the Plaud devices, including meeting notes. On paper, it seemed like a strong option for individuals with ADHD or anyone who attends numerous meetings and needs to stay organized.

After using it for a few weeks, I found that it wasn’t perfect. It had some quirks that made it less refined compared to the reMarkable. However, the combination of an e-ink tablet with live voice transcription and AI summaries was what kept me reaching for it. Additionally, it is one of the thinnest tablets currently available, and iFLYTEK heavily emphasizes this in its marketing.

The AINote 2 features a 10.65-inch flexible E-Ink display, a Rockchip RK3576 octa-core processor, 4 GB of RAM, and 64 GB of storage. It also offers Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth 5.4, and a 4,000 mAh battery. The device runs on Android 14 and supports various document and image formats, as well as multiple system languages.

One of the standout features of the AINote 2 is its AI-powered productivity tools. It can automatically generate meeting summaries, convert handwritten notes to text, and create actionable to-do lists and weekly reports. The device also supports multi-language transcription and provides a paper-like writing experience with multiple brush styles.

The AINote 2’s AI features rely on an active internet connection, which might be a concern for some users regarding data privacy. However, the device also offers the option to download offline language packs for on-device transcription. The live offline transcription feature was particularly impressive, allowing users to transcribe speech in real-time and easily convert it into text for notes.

In terms of design and build, the AINote 2 is incredibly thin and lightweight, making it comfortable to hold for extended periods. However, it lacks a front light, which may affect low-light reading. The device’s plastic body and flexible e-ink panel contribute to its lightweight design but may not feel as robust as glass-backed devices.

The e-ink display on the AINote 2 offers a crisp and clear reading experience, with a high contrast ratio. However, the lack of a front light can limit reading in low-light conditions. The device’s writing feel and responsiveness are commendable, providing a natural writing experience with low latency.

The AI features on the AINote 2, such as OCR and content templates, offer additional functionality for users. The device can convert handwritten notes to text, generate meeting summaries, and create mind maps from notes. However, the OCR accuracy can be inconsistent, and some features rely heavily on an internet connection for processing.

Overall, the AINote 2 is a compelling e-ink tablet that combines excellent handwriting capabilities with useful AI-powered features. While it may have some drawbacks, such as limited Wi-Fi compatibility and inconsistent OCR accuracy, its unique blend of note-taking, transcription, and AI assistance make it a strong choice for professionals, students, and anyone who spends a lot of time in meetings. If live transcription is a priority, there is currently very little that matches what the AINote 2 offers in a single device.