In recent weeks, where we have traveled to various parts of the world, we have had the opportunity to test TimeKettle’s smart pocket translators, specifically the T1 models and T1mini Besides Timekettle WT2 Edge headphonesexperiencing first-hand what it is like to carry in your pocket a piece of technology that allows us to communicate anywhere in the world.
Normally we think that our “average” level of English is enough to get around any country. And it’s a half-truth. Firstly because that level that we believe is not as good as it seems (and botching a song in English does not count). And another, that in other countries the same thing happens and most of the time we find people who know their native language and little else.
That is where the devices that we have been able to test come in and that have left us impressed because they go one step further than the applications that we can carry on our mobile… and that usually leave something to be desired.
Features of the FluentTalk T1, T1 Mini and TimeKettle WT2 Edge
We are talking about 3 very interesting products. Starting with the smallest, the FluentTalk T1 Mini, it is a tiny device with a 2.83-inch screen. It reminded us of the first compact mobile phones. It can be stored in any pocket, including jeans for coins, and comes with a 1,500 mAh battery as well as a camera to translate any text.
Its older brother is the FluentTalk T1, and in a more elegant design, in black and with a more “business” style, it increases the screen to 4 inches and the camera to 8 MP, with the same 1,500 mAh battery although the autonomy In both it is similar. Additionally, both come with USB-C charging. Or what is the same, you can use the mobile charger with them.
Finally, we have the TimeKettle WT2 Edge headphones, with a similar look to the AirPods, the technical highlight is that they come with Bluetooth 5.0. It is true that they cannot be used to listen to music or make calls, but we are talking about a complement for those who do not want to carry a device like FluenTalk translators, and we can assure you that they perform their function perfectly.
We do not want to dwell on their hardware, because it is the least important thing about these devices, what really matters is its functionality: the simultaneous translation of conversations and texts. And that, they do it perfectly.
The differences are that the FluentTalk T1 Mini is capable of recognizing 36 languages (13 offline) and 88 accents, figures that rise in the case of the FluentTalk T1 and the TimeKettle WT2 Edge to 40 languages (13 offline in the T1 and 8 in the case of headphones) and 90 accents. On the other hand, the Mini model comes with 1 year of global connection included to be able to use all its online functions without searching for Wi-Fi and the most complete model includes 2. Since the headphones are connected to an app on the mobile, they do not need of this data rate.
A universal translator with you everywhere
We come to the best part, the experience with these products. We are talking about the teams having an accuracy rate of 95%. That is, whether you listen to someone speaking or take an image of a written text, the translation is practically perfect.
All TimeKettle products share this characteristic but obviously due to technical differences they differ in their response speed. From the FluentTalk T1’s dizzying ability to respond in up to 0.25 seconds, allowing for near real-time conversation, it goes up to 0.5 seconds in the case of the T1 Mini and WT2 Edge headsets.
Starting with the two portable translators, both come prepared with a shortcut button to their simultaneous translation functions. In the case of the Mini it is only one, the one you see in the image.
But for the T1 model we have more options that allow us to control the conversation separately from the speakers with independent buttons.
The operation is as simple as having the languages defined on the screen… and clicking. Both devices come prepared with microphones at both ends to pick up exactly what each speaker says and automatically, although with a certain order of speaking, we can have a conversation with anyone we meet on the street.
At the same time, their cameras are always ready to take an image at any time and translate the text that can be seen on it. As simple as one click too.
The use case for headphones is different. We have an application that each one connects to, left and right independently. In this application we choose the way in which we want to use them, the most spectacular being that of each speaker sharing a headset and listening to a simultaneous translation of what the other has just said. But if we do not want, for hygiene reasons, to do this with a stranger, it is possible to use the cell phone as a speaker so that the other person can hear their part and we can continue wearing the headphones.
A lifesaver on numerous occasions
On paper, this is very good when we sit down and the other person is willing to talk… but the reality of a trip is changing and the situations we can encounter are multiple. In those cases, we need a quick solution to what is happening to us. And these devices have it.
Both the FluentTalk T1 and the mini come with all these predefined options that can help us in a difficult situation to ask for help, directions or simply listen to what they are saying on a speaker in a language that is not ours. What you see in the image is a real situation, during a basketball game in Paris, in which we were able to follow at all times what the presenter was announcing to know what was happening.
But in addition to situations, we are offered the possibility of using – and practicing – languages for many other situations or places in which we may find ourselves in any country.
And the way to use it is as simple as choosing the topic and the phrase to be able to transmit it to anyone and translate the response that they give us and, from there, continue the conversation to resolve what is happening to us.
Conclusions and prices
We can find TimeKettle products on its official website where these three and all the others offered by the brand are located. He FluentTalk T1 is priced at $299.99 while the T1 mini model It’s $149.99. The WT2 Edge headphones They are priced at $299.99.
Who are they aimed at with these prices? Starting with the headphones, which are capable of holding conversations with up to 6 people, they are most aimed at a professional audience and those who plan to have long conversations.
Both T1 and T1 mini are more suitable for a traveling public, who does not speak many languages but loves to visit different countries. These have, for fairly reasonable prices, two products that have integrated into that cost, let’s not forget, a data rate to use them for one and two years respectively without problems – and as a trick… then we can connect them via WiFi to our mobile phone and share our data -.
For our part, the experience has been incredible. Outside of English, languages that we do not master such as French, which is the trip in which we test them, opens up a new dimension when it comes to communicating or, in our case, even holding interviews for a media outlet in two. totally different languages. A “must” that if we can, will not be missing in our suitcase on any occasion.
