Software & Apps Guides
Meta Acquires Limitless: What Happens to Your Rewind Data and What to Do Next
Meta has acquired Limitless, the AI startup previously known as Rewind. This change affects people who used the Limitless pendant or the Rewind desktop app, as well as anyone watching the space for new AI wearable devices and productivity tools.
This guide explains what happened, what will change, and what options you have next.
What was Limitless and what did it do?
Limitless started as Rewind, a software tool that recorded what happened on your computer. It captured your screen activity and turned it into a searchable history so you could find past work, websites, or conversations.
Later, the company shifted to hardware and launched the Limitless pendant, a small AI wearable device that:
- Clipped to your shirt like a wireless microphone, or
- Hung around your neck like a necklace
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The pendant recorded your in-person conversations, then used AI to turn them into notes or a searchable memory. The idea was to help you remember meetings, calls, and daily interactions without taking manual notes.
Limitless also kept a software product, still called “Rewind,” that focused on recording desktop activity and making it searchable.
The company was founded by Brett Bejcek and Dan Siroker, who had previously co-founded and led Optimizely.
What does the Limitless Meta acquisition mean?
Meta has bought Limitless and is moving the team into its Reality Labs group, which works on devices like smart glasses and other wearables.
Meta has talked about “personal superintelligence” and wants AI tools that feel like a personal assistant you can access all day. Today, Meta is focused on:
- AR/AI glasses, such as Ray-Ban Meta and Oakley Meta
- In-lens AI glasses like Meta Ray-Ban Display
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Limitless will not keep selling its own pendant hardware. The company has said it will help Meta build AI-enabled wearables, which likely means:
- The Limitless team will work on Meta’s existing products
- Their AI experience may influence future Meta wearables and software features
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There is no clear sign that Meta will launch a “Meta-branded” pendant that replaces Limitless hardware.
What changes for current Limitless and Rewind users?
If you are an existing Limitless or Rewind user, several key changes affect you.
1. No more new hardware sales
- Limitless has stopped selling its pendant and other hardware devices.
- If you don’t already own a device, you can’t buy a new one from the company.
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2. Subscription fees are going away
- Existing customers will stop paying subscription fees.
- Users are being moved to the “Unlimited Plan” for now, at no extra cost.
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This means you get access to features without a recurring charge during the remaining support period.
3. Support is time-limited
- Limitless will keep supporting existing customers for about one year from the acquisition announcement.
- After that support window, apps and services may no longer be maintained and could stop working.
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If you rely on Limitless or Rewind for work, study, or personal notes, it is smart to plan for a transition before support ends.
4. Rewind desktop software will be shut down
- The Rewind desktop app, which recorded and indexed your computer activity, will be wound down.
- Over time, features will stop working, and the service may be turned off.
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If you used Rewind as a memory tool for your computer, you should back up or export your data while you still can.
How to export or delete your Limitless data
Limitless has said that users will have two main choices:
- Export their data
- Delete their data from within the app
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The company has not published a detailed, step-by-step public manual, but based on standard app design, you can follow these general steps.
Step 1: Open the Limitless or Rewind app
- Open the app you used, either on desktop or mobile.
- Make sure you are signed in with the account you used for your pendant or Rewind.
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Step 2: Go to account or settings
Look for a menu item such as:
- “Settings”
- “Account”
- “Privacy”
- “Data”
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This is usually found:
- In the top-right corner of the desktop app, or
- In a profile tab or menu on mobile
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Step 3: Find export or download options
Inside the settings or data section, look for wording like:
- “Export data”
- “Download my data”
- “Backup data”
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If there is an export feature, it may:
- Create a file that you can download, such as a ZIP, JSON, CSV, or similar format
- Email you a download link
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Follow any prompts and store the exported file in a safe place, such as a cloud drive or external hard drive.
Step 4: Find delete options (if you want to remove your data)
If you prefer to remove your information from Limitless servers, look for options like:
- “Delete data”
- “Delete account”
- “Erase recordings”
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Read the text on the screen carefully. Many services warn that data deletion is permanent.
Confirm only if you are sure. Once deleted, you likely cannot restore your old recordings or notes.
Step 5: Contact support if you get stuck
While support is still active, you can:
- Use in-app support or help links
- Visit the official Limitless website and check for “Support” or “Help”
- Look for a knowledge base article about “how to export Limitless data” or “how to delete Limitless data”
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Because support is only promised for about one year, it is better not to wait until the last minute.
What this means for people interested in AI productivity tools
The Limitless Meta acquisition highlights a few trends for users who care about AI note-taking, memory tools, and AI wearable devices.
1. Big tech is moving into AI wearables
Limitless started as a small startup building a focused product. Now its team will be part of Meta, which is already investing in:
- Smart glasses with built-in cameras and microphones
- On-device AI that can answer questions or summarize what you see and hear
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If you are curious about AI wearables, Meta’s Ray-Ban Meta products and future Reality Labs devices are worth watching. More features from Limitless may show up there over time.
2. Standalone AI hardware is risky
Limitless is not the only company that tried a pendant-style device. Other AI pendants have launched, some with poor reviews or limited adoption.
For everyday users, this means:
- Single-purpose AI hardware may not last as long as software-only tools
- Devices tied to a subscription or cloud service are more exposed to business changes, such as acquisitions or shutdowns
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If you build your workflow around one small company’s device, you need a backup plan.
3. Data control matters
Limitless letting users export or delete data is an important step. For any AI tool that records conversations or screens, you should always check:
- Can you export your data in a standard format?
- Can you delete your data from the provider’s servers?
- How long does the company promise support?
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This applies to AI note-taking, meeting bots, and personal memory apps.
Limitless Rewind alternatives to consider
If you used Limitless or Rewind as a “second brain” or AI memory, you may want to switch before support ends. Here are general categories of tools to explore when looking for a Limitless Rewind alternative.
Names below are examples of common app types and do not reflect any official migration from Limitless.
1. AI meeting assistants
These tools join your calls, record audio, and create notes or summaries. Many work with Zoom, Google Meet, or Microsoft Teams.
Look for features such as:
- Automatic recording and transcription
- AI summaries and action items
- Search across past calls
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Before you pick one:
- Check how they store and secure recordings
- Confirm if you can export transcripts and notes
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2. AI note-taking apps
Some note apps now include built-in AI that helps you:
- Summarize long notes
- Organize pages into projects
- Search across different topics more effectively
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You can often combine them with:
- Manual notes you type, plus
- Copy-pasted content from email, chat, or the web
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These apps do not usually record your whole screen, but they can still work as a memory helper.
SEE ALSO: Strayer Laptop Guide 2025: Free Offers, Real Costs, and Required Specs
3. Personal knowledge and “second brain” tools
Knowledge management tools can act like a long-term memory system. Many now support:
- Backlinks and graph views to link ideas
- AI-based search and summarization
- Clipping content from browsers or apps
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They may not record audio or live conversations, but they help you maintain a structured archive of what you learn and create.
4. AI wearables from major platforms
If you liked the idea of an AI pendant, keep an eye on:
- Smart glasses from Meta and other large companies
- Headphones or earbuds with built-in voice assistants
- Phones and watches that now offer always-on AI helpers
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These products often tie into broader ecosystems, such as Meta, Google, or Apple, which may provide more long-term stability than a single-purpose device.
How to plan your next steps
If you are a current Limitless or Rewind user:
- Export your data as soon as possible
- Decide whether you want your data deleted from Limitless servers
- Try at least one backup tool so you are not stuck when support ends
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If you are just following the news around the Limitless Meta acquisition and AI wearable devices:
- Expect more AI built into everyday hardware, especially glasses and audio devices
- Watch for Meta announcements from Reality Labs about new features that may build on Limitless technology
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The shift from a small startup to a Meta-owned team shows where AI productivity tools are heading: deeper integration into the devices you already wear and carry every day, with data control and long-term support becoming key questions for users.
