Limitless AI Pendant Deep Dive 2026: Meta Acquisition, Consent Mode, Privacy Risks, and Competitor Comparison

The Limitless AI Pendant launched in 2024 as a wearable AI device designed to augment human memory. By continuously recording audio, it automatically transcribed and summarized meetings, eliminating the “he said, she said” problem. But in December 2025, Meta acquired Limitless and halted new sales, marking a major turning point in the AI wearable market. This comprehensive guide covers Limitless AI’s technical features, privacy concerns, legal risks, competitor comparisons, and what Meta’s acquisition means for the future.

From Rewind AI to Limitless AI: The Evolution

Limitless traces its roots to “Rewind AI,” developed by CEO Dan Siroker. Rewind recorded everything on your Mac screen — keystrokes, search history, videos watched — storing it locally and making it AI-searchable. It championed “privacy by design” with fully local data storage.

The pivot to Limitless shifted data storage from local to “Confidential Cloud” (encrypted cloud), and the recording focus moved from screen activity to audio. By introducing a physical pendant device, it could record face-to-face conversations and offline environments beyond the PC. The company raised over $33 million from a16z, First Round Capital, NEA, and other investors.

Hardware and Key Features of the Limitless AI Pendant

The Limitless AI Pendant is a compact aluminum device that attaches to clothing via a magnetic clasp. It has no screen and is designed purely for audio input.

• Battery: Approximately 100 hours of continuous operation — about 12 days without charging at 8 hours daily use
• Connectivity: Bluetooth, USB-C charging
• Durability: Rain and dust resistant for outdoor use
• Recording LED: A small LED lights up during recording to visually notify people nearby
• AI Processing: Model routing feature allowing users to choose between GPT-5, Claude, Gemini, and other AI models
• Desktop Integration: Runs in the background on Mac/Windows, syncing Zoom/Teams system audio with the pendant’s physical recording

The app features an “Ask AI” function where you can query recorded content (e.g., “What was decided in today’s meeting?”). You can search by speaker, topic, or time and jump directly to the relevant section. Transcription accuracy is high in typical meeting environments thanks to noise cancellation processing.

The Devil’s Bargain of Privacy: Consent Mode’s Light and Shadow

Privacy is the biggest point of contention with Limitless AI. While always-on recording devices are convenient, they carry a fundamental problem: how do you secure consent from those being recorded?

How Consent Mode Works

Limitless featured a “Consent Mode” that detects new voices and pauses recording until the person explicitly consents to being recorded. This feature is enabled by default and cannot be disabled — the consent verification process activates automatically when a new voice is detected. However, the accuracy of consent detection and its real-world effectiveness remain subjects of debate.

Cloud Migration Risks

While its predecessor Rewind insisted on local storage, Limitless moved to cloud processing. Data is protected by TLS encryption and stored with HSM (Hardware Security Modules), but transfers to third-party AI providers for transcription and summarization also occur. The company states that this data is not used for training and is deleted after 30 days, but the risk is never zero once data is sent to the cloud.

Legal Responsibility Falls on Users

Limitless’s privacy policy places the responsibility for notifying and obtaining consent from recorded parties squarely on the user. Under US federal law, “one-party consent” is the general rule, but more than 13 states including California and Illinois require “all-party consent.” Illinois’ Biometric Information Privacy Act (BIPA) requires written consent for collecting voiceprints, which conflicts with AI speaker identification features.

Legal Risks of Using Recording Devices in Japan

Under Japanese law, “secret recording” by a party to a conversation is generally not illegal (per Supreme Court precedent). However, eavesdropping by a third party who is not part of the conversation may violate the Unfair Competition Prevention Act or the Wiretapping Act. In practice, always-on recording in the workplace raises concerns about workers’ privacy rights. If you use Limitless AI in Japan, it is strongly recommended to inform the other party of the recording and obtain explicit consent.

The Meta Acquisition Shock and the Future of AI Wearables

In December 2025, Meta acquired Limitless and announced the integration of the team into Reality Labs’ wearables division. New pendant sales were halted, and existing users were offered data export or deletion options.

The acquisition is seen as preparation for integration with Meta Glasses. Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses already have cameras and microphones; integrating Limitless’s voice AI technology could create a “complete life-logging device” that records and analyzes both visual and audio data. The AI wearable market is likely to see increasing consolidation by mega-tech companies.

Competitor AI Wearable Device Comparison

With Limitless discontinued, the 2026 AI recording device market features these major players:

• Plaud AI: Press-to-record style that starts recording on button press. Popular with privacy-focused users. iPhone compatible with Apple Watch integration. Lower social friction since it doesn’t record continuously
• Bee AI: Always-on recording similar to Limitless. Compact clip-on design with strong automatic conversation classification and tagging features
• Omi AI: Open-source AI wearable with high customizability. Active developer community for integrating custom AI models and plugins
• Plaud NotePin: Pin-style wearable recorder specialized for meeting recording with transcription support for 60 languages

The selection criteria come down to three axes: always-on vs. press-to-record, cloud vs. local storage, and price. If privacy is your top priority, Plaud’s press-to-record approach is ideal. For customizability, Omi is your best bet. For seamless experience, always-on Bee is the strong candidate.

Digital Doppelgänger: When AI Becomes Your Clone

The fundamental question Limitless raises is: “What happens when AI remembers all your conversations?” With enough accumulated data, AI can learn your speech patterns, decision-making habits, and domain expertise, eventually functioning as your digital doppelgänger. Drafting emails, preparing for meetings, even answering questions on your behalf becomes technically feasible.

While this could dramatically boost productivity, it also risks blurring the boundaries of identity. Can you take responsibility for words your digital clone utters? Society doesn’t have an answer to this question yet.

Practical Use Cases for Limitless AI

• Sales Meeting Auto-Recording: Fully record client conversations and auto-generate summaries and action items post-meeting, dramatically reducing CRM data entry time
• Ensuring Interview Fairness: Objectively record and compare all candidates’ responses to eliminate interviewer bias (prior consent from candidates required)
• Medical Consultation Records: Auto-generate draft medical charts while doctors focus on patient conversations — a rapidly growing sector in the US
• Academic Research Interviews: Record fieldwork conversations, tag them by theme, and make them searchable to improve qualitative research analysis efficiency
• 1-on-1 Meeting Reviews: Record regular manager-employee check-ins and auto-track past commitments and progress — instantly search “what we discussed last time”

Security Measures for the AI Wearable Era

Safe operation of always-on recording devices requires these essential security measures:

• Documented Recording Policy: When used organizationally, document the purpose, retention period, access rights, and deletion policy for recordings, and communicate to all employees
• Data Storage Selection: A two-tier approach is recommended — local storage for highly confidential conversations, cloud for general meeting recordings only
• Regular Data Audits: Promptly delete recording data that is no longer needed. Set retention limits especially for data related to former employees or terminated business relationships
• Encryption Verification: Confirm encryption in both transit (TLS 1.3+) and at rest (AES-256). Check third-party AI provider security certifications (SOC 2, etc.)
• Incident Response Plan: Prepare notification procedures and response workflows in advance in case of data breaches

Pricing History and Cost Comparison with Alternatives

Limitless operated on a freemium model: free plan for basic features, Pro plan ($19/month) to unlock advanced AI capabilities. Annual cost was pendant $99 + Pro annual $228 = approximately $327 total.

Alternative service pricing in 2026 varies: Plaud NotePin ($159-179 hardware + monthly subscription), Bee AI (monthly subscription only), Omi (hardware kit $69 + self-build). When comparing annual total cost, Omi’s open-source approach is the most affordable, but requires technical knowledge for setup.

5 Checkpoints Before Adopting AI Wearables

Before adopting an AI wearable recording device, verify these five points. First, understand the recording consent laws in your country and region. Second, confirm your organization has an AI tool usage policy in place. Third, compare data storage destinations (cloud vs. local) and their security standards. Fourth, verify that transcription language support and accuracy meet your business requirements. Fifth, confirm that data export options exist in case the service shuts down. As Limitless’s sudden sales halt shows, startup products carry service continuity risks.

FAQ

Can I buy a Limitless AI Pendant in 2026?

No. After Meta’s acquisition in December 2025, new sales were halted. It’s unclear how Meta will re-deploy the technology. Alternative devices include Plaud AI, Bee AI, and Omi AI.

How much did Limitless cost?

The pendant was $99, with Pro subscription at $19/month. Pendant + unlimited plan bundles were offered at $299-499.

Is using an always-on recording device legal in the US?

Under federal law, one-party consent applies, meaning you can record conversations you’re part of. However, 13+ states require all-party consent. Illinois’ BIPA law adds additional requirements for voiceprint collection. Always check your local jurisdiction.

How does Consent Mode work?

When a new voice is detected, recording pauses and only resumes if the person explicitly consents. This feature is on by default and cannot be disabled. The consent verification activates automatically upon detecting new voices.

Where is recording data stored?

Limitless stored data in an encrypted Confidential Cloud protected by TLS encryption and HSM. Users could download or delete their data at any time. A local storage option was also available.

How long does the battery last?

Approximately 100 hours of continuous operation — about 12 days without charging at 8 hours of daily use. Charges via USB-C.

How will Meta use Limitless technology?

Integration with Ray-Ban Meta smart glasses is considered the most likely scenario. Combining camera footage with Limitless’s voice AI technology could create a next-generation life-logging device that records and analyzes both visual and audio data.

Summary: The Cost and Promise of a Brain That Never Forgets

Limitless AI was a device with a grand vision of “augmenting human memory.” Complete recording through always-on audio had the potential to dramatically boost business productivity. But it simultaneously confronted society with fundamental questions about privacy, consent, and identity.

In 2026, post-Meta acquisition, the AI recording device market offers multiple choices — Plaud, Bee, Omi — that you can select based on your use case and privacy sensitivity. Technology is making the “brain that never forgets” a reality, but what you give up in exchange is a question each individual must answer for themselves.

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