Anker’s audio sub-brand Soundcore just unveiled a new AI-powered voice recorder called Work at CES 2026. It’s a clear target for working professionals and students who are tired of switching between their phones and note-taking apps. While AI transcription isn’t new territory, Soundcore is betting on the idea that a tiny, privacy-focused piece of dedicated hardware is exactly what people actually want in a crowded meeting room.
The Soundcore Work is designed to stay out of the way. It’s about the size of a large coin – just a little thicker – and can be worn almost however you want. You can clip it to your lapel, stick it to a magnetic surface, or even wear it on a necklace. The idea is to make the recording feel natural and unobtrusive, so you’re not that person sitting in front of a giant glowing phone screen in the middle of a serious interview or lecture.
Even though it’s so small, it doesn’t skimp on technology
It uses a dual microphone array that delivers surprisingly clear audio from across the room. This high quality raw food is the secret of its 97% transcription accuracy. Through the Soundcore app, you get a full text breakdown and an AI-generated summary that highlights the “too long; didn’t read” version of your meeting – essentially taking the busywork away from you.
One of the smartest design options is the “double tap” feature. When something important is said, simply double-tap the device to flag it. The AI then prioritizes that particular section during transcription and includes it in the summary. For anyone who has ever spent an hour searching a recording for a specific quote, this is a huge time saver.
Soundcore also seems to have nailed the haptic experience
There’s a physical side button to start and stop recordings, so you can actually feel the click – no more guessing if the mic is hot. An orange-yellow indicator light and a subtle haptic buzz silently confirm that it’s working. As for security, it’s MFi certified and uses AES-256 encryption, meaning your confidential conversations stay on your device and not in some random cloud.
The charging case is just as clever. It’s slim and charges via USB-C, but also has a magnetic back that snaps onto MagSafe or Qi2 phones. It doesn’t draw power from the phone yet, but it keeps the recorder and your smartphone together as a single unit in your pocket. Small LEDs on the front let you know how much juice is left in the container.
Finally, there’s support for Apple Find My. If that tiny thing slips between the couch cushions or gets left in the classroom, you can use your iPhone to track it down. For such a small accessory, it’s a lifesaver, although Android users are still waiting for similar Find My Device integration.
Priced at $159, the Soundcore Work is available starting today. It’s not trying to reinvent the wheel, but it’s making it much smaller and smarter. The real test will be whether Soundcore can build up enough Android support to make this as important to everyone else as it is to iPhone users.
