The Future of Voice-to-Text Is Here

Plus, an easy way to transfer files, innovations in assistive tech, and AT&T’s push to bring back the landline.

Greetings and welcome to another edition of the Rich On Tech Newsletter!

Hope you’re having a great week—and an early Happy St. Patrick’s Day to you! ☘️

My week kicked off with jury duty on Monday morning. I know plenty of people try to dodge it, but I actually embrace the experience. That summons seems to arrive like clockwork every year. I show up, spend a day in the jury selection room, and so far, I’ve always been dismissed.

Of course, it throws off my entire schedule, but I see it as a rare glimpse into our justice system—and a chance to step outside my usual routine.

Let’s get to it, shall we?

AI-Powered Note-Taking Gets an Upgrade

Lately, I’ve been embracing one particularly useful aspect of AI: not just recording and transcribing audio with ease, but also summarizing key points automatically.

This week, I’ve been testing two AI-enhanced gadgets from Plaud—essentially futuristic takes on the microcassette recorder I had as a kid from RadioShack.

The first, Plaud Note, is a sleek metal card that records audio with a tap. If magnetically attached to the back of your phone, it can even record calls (just remember to check local laws and inform the other party!).

The second, Plaud Pin, looks like a fitness tracker but is designed for hands-free recording. You can clip it to your shirt, wear it on your wrist, or hang it around your neck—capturing everything so AI can summarize it later. Think of it as a memory assistant in wearable form.

The real magic is in the software. It imports recordings to your phone and not only summarizes them but also figures out the best way to present those key takeaways using AI.

Now, you might be wondering: why not just use your phone to record and transcribe, then let ChatGPT handle the summaries? You totally could. And I’ve been asking myself the same thing.

But often, your phone is busy—snapping photos, checking social media, responding to emails, or handling the 99 million other things we do with it. If you’re constantly recording interviews, meetings, or lectures, a dedicated device has its perks. These are well-designed, polished, and thoughtfully built for the job.

Pricing: Plaud Note – $159, Plaud Pin – $169

PS – My go-to transcription tool on Mac is MacWhisper. If you’re on Windows, check out Vibe, and for a web-based option, WhisperWeb does the trick. Just drop in an audio file, and it’ll generate a transcription in seconds.

My Secret Weapon for Speedy Transcriptions—Now on Windows

In other transcription news, my favorite voice-to-text app is expanding.

For Windows users, this is big—my absolute favorite productivity tool is now available for PC.

It’s called Wispr Flow, and it’s hands-down the best voice-to-text app I’ve ever used. Once installed, you set a hotkey (on my Mac, I use the globe icon), then press and hold it like a walkie-talkie to dictate anything you want typed out.

When you release the button, the app instantly transcribes and pastes your words wherever the cursor is blinking. It’s my secret weapon for firing off emails quickly—I even dictated an entire newsletter with it once.

But what makes it special is the AI-powered polish. It understands your tone, adds punctuation naturally, and even smooths out stumbles. So if you pause, correct yourself, or trip over a word, the final output still sounds clean and professional.

Best part? It’s mostly free—you get up to 2,000 words a week without paying. I haven’t even hit that limit yet. If you need more, it’s $15 a month.

And now, that same magical experience is available on Windows. Highly recommend giving it a try!

A Fast & Easy Way to Transfer Files—No Sign-Up Required

While we’re on the topic of helpful tools, I just discovered a super simple way to transfer files across any device with a web browser.

It’s called FilePizza, and it’s an open-source project—meaning a community helps build, maintain, and secure it.

The process couldn’t be easier:

1. Open the website on one device.

2. Drag in your file.

3. Optionally set a password.

4. Hit start.

You’ll instantly get a shareable QR code, long URL, and short URL. Send it to anyone, and as soon as they open the link, the transfer begins.

The best part? It’s peer-to-peer, meaning files go directly from your device to theirs—no third-party servers involved. You do have to leave your browser open until the transfer completes, but there are no file size limits.

Even my son tested it out—he needed to move a file from his Windows PC to his iPad (and of course, AirDrop doesn’t work for that). I suggested FilePizza, and he was impressed with how well it worked.

If you’re looking for alternatives:

• LocalSend – A more feature-packed cross-platform sharing tool.

• PairDrop – Another web-based option.

• Wormhole.app – Ideal for sending large files as a link with no sign-up required.

File transfers don’t get much easier than this!

CSUN Assistive Tech Conference

This week, I visited the 40th Annual CSUN Assistive Technology Conference in Anaheim. It’s an incredibly humbling experience—seeing not just the latest advancements in accessibility tech but also the community of people it serves.

The event is filled with individuals with disabilities, along with their caregivers, advocates, educators, and businesses dedicated to making technology more accessible. It’s amazing to see how innovations are helping people live more independently.

But what really stuck with me? The caregivers. Many were family members, standing by their loved ones, offering support and care. Their compassion and selflessness were a powerful reminder of the kindness and resilience of humanity.

Facial Recognition at the Intuit Dome

This week, I checked out how facial recognition is transforming the fan experience at the Intuit Dome—the brand-new, high-tech home of the Clippers.

Built from the ground up with cutting-edge technology, this stadium integrates facial recognition at its core. Fans can use it to enter the arena, access suites, and even buy concessions and merch—just by scanning their face.

When it works, it’s seamless and magical. But like any new tech, there have been plenty of tweaks and improvements along the way.

Google’s New Store Lands in Santa Monica

Google just opened its sixth retail store at the Third Street Promenade, once a bustling outdoor shopping district in Santa Monica. Like many malls, it’s seen better days—time and the pandemic have taken a toll—but signs of a revitalization might be emerging. I even spotted a new Barnes & Noble, making a comeback after previously closing its original store.

At Google’s new spot, you can shop Pixel products, get help and repairs, and pick up some Google swag. I took my kids there last week, and their verdict? It feels more homey than the Apple Store.

Tech Tidbits

• AT&T Wants to Sell You a Landline (Again) – AT&T is rolling out AT&T Phone Advanced, a new service that ditches copper cables in favor of internet-based landline service. It works over cellular or broadband, and setup is simple: pay $1 for the box, plug it in, and get unlimited calls for $45/month. Competitors include Ooma, Vonage, and MagicJack.

• Google Wallet Now Supports Passports – You can add your passport to Google Wallet. While it won’t replace the physical version, it could be useful as a backup if you lose the real thing—or need a Real ID alternative at TSA checkpoints where it’s accepted.

• Nintendo Opens a Retail Store in San Francisco – Nintendo is launching a new store in Union Square on May 15. If it’s anything like the locations in New York City and Tokyo, expect a paradise for Nintendo fans—games, merch, and larger-than-life character photo ops. You can even enter a contest to win a trip using your Nintendo points.

A Restaurant That Comes to Life

One night this week, I stayed out way too late checking out a new “interactive” restaurant—where the walls, table, and even your dinner come to life, thanks to a mix of actors and projection mapping technology.

I was always taught not to play with my food, but this takes things to a whole new level. The experience felt like a modern spin on the theme restaurants of the past, blending tech and theater into dinner.

Check out my full review on Instagram below!

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Bill Gates’ New Book

I just finished Bill Gates’ new book, Source Code. While I expected a deep dive into Microsoft’s history, I was surprised to find a personal look at Gates’ childhood—which explains the title.

His early years were full of adventure, mischief, and a love for technology. I thoroughly enjoyed the stories he shared, and they reminded me of my own childhood—long days spent outside, exploring my neighborhood, getting into antics with friends, figuring things out on my own and of course getting my first computer.

Back then, kids and adults lived in separate worlds. Today, it’s all blended together. Parents oversee more, kids roam less, and tech keeps everyone tethered—with smartwatches tracking every move and smartphones pulling attention away from real-world experiences.

I’m not here to be preachy, and I don’t have a perfect solution. But I do know that finding my own way as a kid was invaluable. It built independence, resilience, and curiosity—qualities that surely helped shape Gates into the tech leader he became.

That’s a Wrap!

That’s all for now. If you enjoy this newsletter, consider upgrading your subscription to support my work, get access to all back issues, and listen to an ad-free, high-quality audio version of my podcast.

Have a fantastic weekend!

— Rich