Koi

Product Introduction

1. Definition: Koi is a native macOS productivity application that consolidates three core workflows—AI-powered dictation, screen-aware AI assistance, and call recording/transcription—into a single, keyboard-centric utility. It operates primarily from the macOS menu bar/dock and integrates deeply with system-level APIs for dictation and accessibility.
2. Core Value Proposition: Koi exists to eliminate the friction and cost of using multiple, disparate tools for voice-to-text, AI assistance, and meeting management. Its primary value is providing a unified, offline-capable, and privacy-focused workflow for Mac users, enabling them to work faster using voice commands and AI without switching between applications.

Main Features

1. Offline, Unlimited Dictation: This feature provides real-time speech-to-text transcription directly on the device. It works by holding Fn + Option (⌥), activating a local AI model (default is NVIDIA's Parakeet, with options for Whisper, Qwen, Cohere, and Granite) that processes audio without an internet connection. It supports 100 languages with automatic language detection, filters filler words ("um," "ah"), and formats lists and punctuation contextually. The transcription is unlimited on all pricing plans.
2. Screen-Aware AI Assistant (Koi AI): Activated via Fn + Command (⌘), this feature allows users to converse with a cloud-based AI that can perform contextual actions. It utilizes screen recording permissions to analyze the active window. Key functionalities include: visual annotation (circling buttons, highlighting text), performing on-screen actions (clicking, typing), rewriting or explaining selected text, and answering questions based on screen content. It maintains user context (name, preferences) locally.
3. Native Call Recording & AI Summarization: Triggered by Fn + Control (⌃), this tool records audio and video from any call application (Zoom, Google Meet, Teams, browser-based calls). It captures system audio and the user's microphone as separate tracks, labeling them as "Them" and "You." All media is processed and stored locally on the Mac. Post-call, users can opt-in to send the transcript only to Koi's AI to generate a summary, title, and actionable to-dos.
4. Integrated Document & Knowledge Hub: All dictations, call transcripts, and user-created notes are stored in a built-in, rich-text editor. This editor supports advanced formatting like tables, charts, flashcards, and LaTeX equations. Content can be organized into folders, searched, and exported to formats like PDF or Word. The AI can generate structured documents (e.g., tables from spoken data) on command.
5. System-Level Utility Suite: Koi bundles additional productivity tools:
   • Calendar Aggregator: A unified view merging events from Google Calendar, Apple Calendar, Apple Reminders, and Koi's own task list derived from call summaries.
   • Expense Tracker: A local finance manager for tracking recurring income and expenses (rent, subscriptions, salary) to calculate monthly net flow.
   • Shift Wheel File Processor: A context menu (activated by holding Shift while dragging a file) that offers quick, local file operations like image compression/editing, PDF manipulation (split, merge, convert), document conversion, and archive extraction.

Problems Solved

1. Pain Point: Fragmented and expensive tool sprawl. Professionals often subscribe to separate services for dictation (e.g., Dragon), meeting notes (e.g., Otter.ai, Fireflies.ai), and AI assistants (e.g., ChatGPT Plus), leading to high cumulative costs, disjointed workflows, and data silos.
2. Target Audience:
   • Knowledge Workers & Content Creators: Writers, researchers, and students who need fast, offline dictation for notes, drafts, and emails.
   • Remote Professionals & Managers: Individuals who frequently participate in video calls and need reliable, non-intrusive recording with automated note-taking.
   • Mac Power Users & Developers: Users who value deep system integration, keyboard shortcuts, and local data processing for privacy and speed.
3. Use Cases:
   • Hands-Free Documentation: Dictating long-form content or code comments directly into an IDE or text editor while offline (e.g., on a plane).
   • Efficient Meeting Workflow: Recording a client negotiation on Zoom, receiving an AI-generated summary with agreed-upon dates and action items, which are automatically suggested for calendar entry.
   • Contextual Problem-Solving: Asking the AI, "What does this error log mean?" while debugging, and having it analyze and explain the code snippet visible on screen.

Unique Advantages

1. Strengths & Limitations (Pros & Cons):
   • Pros:
     • Unified Workflow: Exceptional integration of multiple tools into one consistent, keyboard-driven interface.
     • Privacy-First Design: Core features (dictation, recording, file storage) process data locally. AI screen analysis and call summarization are opt-in per session.
     • Offline Core Functionality: Dictation and file processing work without an internet connection, a key differentiator.
     • Transparent Pricing with Lifetime Option: Clear, unlimited usage for core features and a one-time purchase "Lifetime" license.
   • Cons:
     • Platform Lock-in: Exclusively for macOS (14+), excluding Windows, Linux, and mobile users.
     • AI Dependency on Cloud: The conversational AI assistant requires an internet connection and uses a metered credit system, which is an ongoing cost.
     • System Permission Requirements: Requires full Accessibility and Screen Recording permissions, which may be a concern for some enterprise IT policies.
2. Key Alternatives & Differentiation:
   • vs. Otter.ai / Fireflies.ai: These are primarily cloud-based meeting transcription services. Koi differentiates by offering local, unlimited call recording storage, a one-time purchase option, and bundling dictation & AI assistance. Otter.ai focuses on team collaboration features Koi lacks.
   • vs. Dragon Professional Anywhere: Dragon is a industry-leading, powerful dictation software. Koi differentiates by being significantly lower cost, offering a lifetime license, and integrating AI assistance and call recording—functionality Dragon does not provide. Dragon may have superior voice model accuracy for specific professional jargon.
   • vs. Native macOS Dictation & ChatGPT: Using built-in macOS dictation plus a browser-based ChatGPT is free. Koi differentiates by providing a vastly superior, offline-capable dictation engine (100 languages, formatting), deep system integration (seamless typing in any app, screen analysis), and structured workflows (call recording -> notes -> calendar) that glued-together free tools cannot match.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. Is Koi's dictation truly unlimited and offline? Yes. The dictation feature uses locally-run AI speech models (like Parakeet) on your Mac. It does not require an internet connection, and there are no usage caps on any plan, including the free trial.
2. How does Koi record calls without joining as a bot? Koi uses macOS's system-level screen and audio recording APIs. It captures the audio/video output of your Mac and your microphone input directly, meaning it records the call from your perspective as a participant, not as a third-party bot in the meeting. This ensures compatibility with any conferencing app.
3. What happens to my data privacy with the AI assistant? When you use the Koi AI assistant (Fn + ⌘), your query, a memory profile, and a screenshot (if enabled) are sent to cloud AI models to generate a response. Call audio/video never leaves your Mac; only if you opt-in for a summary is the text transcript sent. Your documents, calendar data, and expense info are stored locally.
4. What is the difference between the Pro and Lifetime plans? The Pro plan is a subscription ($16/month billed yearly) that includes all features with a monthly allowance of Koi AI credits. The Lifetime plan is a one-time payment ($59 introductory price) that includes all core features (dictation, recording, documents, utilities) permanently and unlimited, plus a bonus allotment of AI credits. Both require topping up AI credits separately after the included amount is used.
5. Can Koi connect to and manage my Google Calendar events? Yes. Koi's built-in calendar can connect to multiple Google Calendar accounts, Apple Calendar, and Apple Reminders. It provides a unified view, allows you to create and modify events (which sync back to Google Calendar), and can add event suggestions automatically from analyzed call transcripts.