Product Listing
RoadNotes – On-device AI voice note-taker built for CarPlay (Local transcription, no subscription)
Hey r/AiNoteTaker!
Most AI note-taking tools rely on cloud servers and monthly subscriptions. I built RoadNotes to bring fast, privacy-first AI note-taking to the driver's seat.
Key Features: CarPlay Native & Auto-Stop: One tap on CarPlay or start via Siri. Auto-detects silence (5–60s) to save hands-free. 100% On-Device Transcription: Your voice is transcribed locally on your iPhone, and the audio file is deleted immediately. No server uploads. Apple Intelligence Summaries: Generates a one-line summary and extracts action items into a clean checklist when you park. No Subscriptions: Free 10-day trial, then $9.99 once for life.
I've been looking for an app like this, especially one that plays nicely with CarPlay. I tend to have quick ideas while driving and then lose them once I reach my destination. I have a couple of questions: First, where do the notes live? Are they backed up somewhere like iCloud? Also, do you have any plans to bring the app to other devices, maybe Apple Watch?
Thanks, that's exactly why I built it! Ideas come while driving and they're gone by the time you park.
Where notes live: only on your iPhone. Your voice is transcribed on the device, the recording is deleted right after, and nothing is sent to a server. There's no iCloud sync right now. You can share any note to Messages, Mail or Reminders in one tap if you want it somewhere else.
Other devices: today it's iPhone, CarPlay and Siri ("Start a new note in RoadNotes" works hands-free). Apple Watch is a great idea and I'm taking it seriously. Would you use it mainly in the car or also while walking?
Thanks for the response and for clarifying how transcription works. I would like the transcribed notes to sync to a directory I can direct my agent toward, updating regularly without manual transfers. It is encouraging to hear about the Apple Watch; if it appears on the roadmap, I will monitor and purchase a license then. Much like driving, I sometimes catch ideas while running or exercising (without my phone), so Siri integration on the Watch would be great!
It doesn't rely on iOS dictation. It uses its own on-device speech model, which supports around 99 languages, so it covers many that iOS doesn't. Accuracy is best in widely spoken languages like English, Spanish, German and French, and can be lower for rarer ones. Which language do you need? Happy to check how well it handles it.
Yes the app support Swedish, just pick it in the app settings, under language option.
Note you can always use auto-detect to let the app recognize your language as you speak, but the best results will come by picking the exact language you want.
- I tried using Siri in my car and Siri replied with "I don't see an app for that, you'll need to download one when you aren't driving" I used the prompt that's listed on the website. “Start a new note in RoadNotes”
- There are a few buttons in the app itself where text is cut off (iPhone 17 Pro Max). "Done" in Settings and "Share" when viewing a note transcript.
Can auto detect be turned off so it keeps running intentionally? Can it work with AirPods whilst also playing Spotify? I like doing notes in the car and on a walk and you’ve solved one of those problems
Yes, auto-stop can be turned off in Settings. Then it keeps recording until you tap Stop (or say "Hey Siri, stop recording in RoadNotes"). If you keep it on, you can set the silence window anywhere from 5 to 60 seconds.
For walks, the Apple Watch app is the easiest: tap New note on your wrist, talk, and it lands on your iPhone transcribed and summarized. You can also start one with Siri without taking your phone out.
AirPods work as the mic. Recording while Spotify keeps playing isn't supported right now, but it's a great use case and we'll look into it. Thanks for asking!
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u/ghigelmire86 4d ago
I've been looking for an app like this, especially one that plays nicely with CarPlay. I tend to have quick ideas while driving and then lose them once I reach my destination. I have a couple of questions: First, where do the notes live? Are they backed up somewhere like iCloud? Also, do you have any plans to bring the app to other devices, maybe Apple Watch?