Already with previous generation products, Timekettle stood out at the forefront of cross-language communication innovation, creating a global presence claimed to extend to over one million users. Satisfied users? Let’s just say that its users quickly understood that the technology is promising, but full of challenges and that there’s nothing better out there at consumer price levels. Akin to the limitations of early voice assistants connected to the cloud, latency remains the biggest challenge, as anyone who has tried to use a translation app on their smartphone in the real world quickly found out. Connecting “smart earbuds” doesn’t improve that, unless there is some level of “intelligence” on the buds themselves. And that’s where artificial intelligence, large language models, and generative AI all combine to show the path to glory.
Timekettle started exploring that route earlier on, thanks to its deep software integration founded in the company’s Babel OS, which continues to set new standards in AI translation technology, striving to achieve universal communication freedom. The new Timekettle W4 AI Interpreter Earbuds launched at IFA 2025 add another important hardware design element, being the first to combine what Timekettle calls “bone-voiceprint sensor capture” and LLM-powered context-aware translation to distinguish phonetically similar phrases. The result? Real-time, cross-language communication with 98% accuracy and a near-zero (0.2 sec) lag time on the leading languages (e.g. English to Mandarin).
Following the success of the W4 Pro AI Interpreter over-the-ear earbuds for professional users - launched in 2024 - the W4 Bone-conducted earbuds are optimized for casual use. The in-ear design is smaller and highly portable, adequate for on-the-go communication and entertainment, and available in Navy Blue and Sandy Gold colors to blend function with form.
Equipped with bone-conduction sensors that are tuned to extract the subtle details of the user’s own voice even at low volumes and in noisy environments (what Timekettle calls voiceprint), the W4 AI Interpreter Earbuds deliver high-precision speech recognition. Additionally, the bone voiceprint sensor prevents sound leakage, providing users with a more discreet and private communication experience while greatly improving the efficiency in cross-language communication.
The ergonomic design contours well to the ear, ensuring a secure and comfortable fit without requiring manual adjustments. The specialized ear hook positions the sound-pickup microphone precisely towards the mouth, optimizing voice capture for additional efficiency. Users can flip open the case and instantly share an earbud for natural two-way translation. With up to four hours of continuous translation or 8 hours of music playback in standalone mode, and 10 hours of translation or 18 hours of music playback available in the charging case, the Timekettle W4 is designed for on-the-go professionals and travelers.
“The W4 is a game-changer for anyone engaging in global conversations,” says Leal Tian, founder and CEO of Timekettle. “By leveraging our proprietary HybridComm AI technology that forms the backbone of our recently announced Babel OS software, we’ve created a device that not only translates in real time but also feels natural and effortless to use — just like having an interpreter right by your side.”
Key features of the Timekettle W4 Earbuds also include auto-switching between listening and speaking modes, enabling more naturally flowing conversations. The translation engines that are included cover 95% of the world, converting speech between 42 languages and 95 accents. Powered by Timekettle’s Babel OS 2.0, the W4 now uses the most advanced AI-driven translation system. This proprietary platform leverages real-time language prediction, contextual learning, and custom lexicons to deliver near-human speech translation with better accuracy.
Accuracy is also further enhanced by Timekettle’s unique ability — powered by advanced AI LLM models — to understand and anticipate the context of a user’s speech and intelligently correct confusing homophones: words with similar sounds but different meanings. AI voice cloning capabilities are planned for launch in 2026, further personalizing and enriching the translation experience.
The W4 is the latest addition to the Timekettle product portfolio, following the successful launch of the W4 Pro. While the W4 Pro is designed for enterprise and professional use with its larger, over-the-ear design and extended mic boom, the W4 is optimized and priced for leisure travelers and casual users. The W4 joins Timekettle’s lineup of cutting-edge translation devices, including the WT2 Edge/W3 Earbuds, X1 Interpreter Hub, and the T1 and T1 Mini, further strengthening the company’s position as a leader in AI-powered multilingual communication.
The Timekettle W4 AI Interpreter Earbuds with Bone-voiceprint Sensor Voice Capture are now available, priced at USD $349 or €349. Timekettle booth at IFA 2025 is H3.2-143.
www.timekettle.co
