If you’re someone who travels abroad a lot, whether you’re just going on vacations or even going on a business trip, you might experience some language barriers whenever you require to communicate with local residents. That not only goes for times when you’re trying to speak with someone from a different country or culture that doesn’t share at least one common language with you, but especially for times when you’re trying to communicate with people that only speak one language. On those occasions, it’s very helpful to have a smart language translation device with you, as these devices allow you to seamlessly translate speech from one language to another and vise-versa, thus helping you overcome most language barriers when necessary. So, if you’re looking for a new language translator device that’s reliable, versatile, and easy to use, then the Timekettle M3 Language Translator Earbuds are an excellent option to consider.
The Timekettle M3 are smart voice language translator earbuds that can translate speech in two-way communications in real-time with 95% accuracy and at a very low latency within just 0.5 seconds delay, featuring an ergonomic design, a IPX4 Water-Resistance Rating, high-precision Active Noise Reduction of 30dB for background noises, support to voice calls and music playback, plus built-in Touch Controls, Online Translation for 40 languages and 93 accents and Offline Translation for 8 language pairs, 3 Translation Modes, a Learnywhere function for practicing your English skills on-the-go, Dual Bluetooth 5.2 Connectivity for their In-App functionalities via the Timekettle App, USB-C Charging, and up to 25 hours of battery life.
Designed particularly for people who usually travel alone, these smart language translator earbuds make it easy for you to have short conversations in two different languages at once when you’re traveling abroad, as they’re powered by a very accurate speech recognition technology to many different languages and accents from all over the world.
Now, let’s have a more detailed look at the Timekettle M3 and check out everything that these smart voice language translator earbuds have to offer you.
DESIGN & SPECS
Starting with the earbuds’ dimensions, the Timekettle M3 Language Translator Earbuds come at a fairly compact size, and they’re also incredibly lightweight, for which each earbud only weighs a measly 0.169 oz. (4.8 g).
On top of their sleek size and portability, these smart language translator earbuds also sport a very stylish and modern look, as their outer shell comes in one single flat color, which is coated by a glossy finish. For our review unit, we got the White color model (but there’s also a Black color model available if you prefer it).
More importantly, the Timekettle M3 also feature a unique ergonomic design, for which they’re specifically designed to adapt to most people’s ear pinna (outer ear). Their ergonomic design ensures both users (i.e. the owner of the earbuds and also their conversation partner if you decide to share the other earbud) can get the a secure and really comfortable fit for multiple hours of use, no matter their ear-shape or ear-size.
Furthermore, these smart translation earbuds also come together with three (x3) sets of removable silicone earbud covers of different sizes (Small, Medium, and Large) included in their package, which allow users to get the most secure and most comfortable fit possible, even while working out.
Speaking of working out, we’d also like to mention that the Timekettle M3 also pack a very durable construction, for which they’re also rated to have a IPX4 Water-Resistance Rating, which gives them protection from water splashes (such as sweat drops when working out, or even faint rain drops when wearing them outside, but not heavy rain).
We’d also like to note that the earbuds also integrate a built-in OVP over-voltage protection chip that gives them a great level of protection against over-voltage.
The earbuds’ are powered by a built-in 32-bit high-performance RISC-V chip and a high-end 40nm ULP (Ultra Low Power) semiconductor for an even better battery-performance (and consequently an extended battery life) in comparison to the Timekettle WT2 Edge/W3 (the company’s other model of smart language translation earbuds which we’ve also reviewed at GadgetGram).
Lastly, the Timekettle M3 also come together with a dedicated wireless charging case, which, just like the earbuds, also features a compact and lightweight form factor, measuring just 6.1 inches long by 3.98 inches wide by 1.77 inches tall/thick, and weighing just 6.28 oz (178 g).
The earbuds’ wireless charging case also sports a very sleek design and a fairly durable construction.
AUDIO SPECS & AUDIO QUALITY
Moving on to the earbuds’ audio specifications and audio quality. For reproducing their audio, these smart language translator earbuds utilize built-in dynamic sound drivers that deliver a premium sound quality, for which all different levels of audio details are present, including highs, mids, and lows.
For capturing a user’s voice, the Timekettle M3 utilize a set of dual beamforming microphones, which capture everyone’s voice (both the user and also who they’re talking to) with an outstanding quality for flawless speech recognition.
For their voice detection and speech recognition capabilities, they utilize RNNVAD smart sentence segmentation technology, for which they’re powered by several different translation engines, including Timekettle’s own AI language-translation engine, plus six (6) of the world’s top leading translation engines (DeepL, Google, Microsoft, iFlytek, AmiVoive, and Hoya), which is exactly what makes them capable of translating speech in two-way communications in real-time with an impressive 95% accuracy at a very low latency, having just a 0.5 seconds delay.
Other Notable Audio Features
High-Precision Active Noise Reduction
The Timekettle M3 also boast a high-precision Active Noise Reduction, which makes the earbuds capable of actively reducing unwanted background noises from your surroundings down to a maximum depth of 30dB so you can hear whatever the earbuds are playing, whether that’s a direct language translation of what someone that you’re talking to said, or even a voice call or music.
Support to Voice Calls & Music Playback
Moreover, these smart language translator earbuds also support voice calls as well as music playback, so you can also use them just like a normal pair of wireless earbuds for performing those activities.
INTERFACE & BUILT-IN TOUCH CONTROLS
When it comes to controlling the earbuds, we’d like to note that the Timekettle M3 boast built-in Touch Controls, which are used for adjusting their volume level, selecting their different operation modes, as well as controlling their Play/Pause and Previous/Skip Soundtrack functions, and also for accepting or rejecting incoming phone calls.
The rest of the earbuds’ Settings can be configured via the Timekettle App.
NOTABLE SMART FEATURES
Online Translation (40 languages / 93 accents) & Offline Translation (8 language pairs)
For their language translation functionalities, the Timekettle M3 boast an Online Translation function that offers users support to a total of 40 languages and 93 accents, covering most countries and regions while adapting to slight dialect differences across different areas.
In addition, they also boast an Offline Translation function which features a total of 8 different languages pairs, allowing users to still be able to translate speech between different languages whenever they have a bad internet signal.
Note that for the earbuds’ Offline Translation function, users can choose from a total of 13 packs of language pairs, including: English, Japanese, French, Spanish, Korean, Chinese, Russian, German, and a few more languages. This is done by utilizing the Fish Card included in the package, which is valued at 30 Coins (used for purchasing additional language packs).
3 Translation Modes ( Touch Mode / Listen Mode / Speaker Mode )
The Timekettle M3 Language Translator Earbuds also feature 3 different Translation Modes, which include: Touch Mode, Listen Mode, and Speaker Mode.
Touch Mode (for Language Translation during in-depth Conversations)
The Touch Mode is best used for simultaneous language translation and speech interpretation during in-depth conversations with one other person, meaning that both speakers (i.e. you and whatever other person you’re talking to) will have no need to pause between sentences to have their speech translated to each other.
For this mode, the Timekettle M3 utilize simultaneous interpretation technology, which makes the earbuds capable of automatically picking up your voice and logically segment your speech into sentences so you always have a fluent conversation.
Listen Mode (for One-Way Language Translation)
The Listen Mode is meant to be used for one-way translation of speeches, such as when you’re attending a class that’s not lectured in your native language.
This mode can recognize, pick up sentences automatically, and translate them back to you into a selected language that plays continuously in your ear. What’s even better is that everything your teacher says is automatically saved in a text-based script in the language you selected, which you can review at anytime.
Speaker Mode (for Two-Way Translation during short Conversations)
The Speaker Mode is most suitable for two-way interpretation of short questions and answers.
In this mode, you’ll need to wear one of the earphones and hold your phone to begin short conversations with anyone, such as when asking for directions or ordering food. Note that you do not need to share the other earbud with a stranger.
Learnywhere Translation Function
The earbuds also feature an exclusive Learnywhere function which is powered by an A.I. Teacher that allows you to practice and improve your English skills on-the-go.
CONNECTIVITY
For their wireless connectivity method, the Timekettle M3 boast Dual Bluetooth 5.2 Connectivity for establishing a wireless connection with your smartphone via the Timekettle App, from which users can expect to have a maximum wireless range of more than 32.80 ft. (10 meters) with low latency.
BATTERY & BATTERY LIFE
For their power, each earbud utilizes a built-in 50mAh Lithium-Ion battery that gives both earbuds around 7.5 hours of battery life on a single charge for continuous language translation, or up to 25 hours of runtime on a full charge, when accounting with the earbuds’ wireless charging case, which integrates a larger and more powerful Lithium-Ion battery.
When it comes to recharging the earbuds’ battery and also their wireless charging case, the earbuds boast magnetic charging, while their wireless charging case supports USB-C Charging.
Note that it only takes around 1.5 hours to recharge the earbuds’ batteries from 0% back to 100% power after slotting them into their charging case. The earbuds’ charging case takes a couple of hours to recharge to full power.
THE SMARTPHONE COMPANION APP – The Timekettle App
The Timekettle App is available to download for free for both iOS and Android devices.
Via the Timekettle App, users can configure and control all of the earbuds’ different Translation Modes and their other language-translation functions.
We’d also like to note that via the Timekettle App, users can also improve the accuracy level of the earbud’s translation by enabling their database translation accuracy. When doing so, the more you use the Timekettle M3, the higher their translation accuracy will be over time.
WHAT’S IN THE BOX?
Inside each package, users will find: their Timekettle M3 Language Translator Earbuds, the earbuds’ wireless charging case, 3 sets of removable silicone earbud covers, the case’s USB-C Charging Cable, a Fish Card valued at 30 Coins for the earbuds’ Offline Translation language packs, and a User Manual.
FINAL THOUGHTS
The Timekettle M3 are smart voice language translator earbuds that can translate speech in two-way communications in real-time with 95% accuracy and at a very low latency within just 0.5 seconds delay, featuring an ergonomic design, a IPX4 Water-Resistance Rating, high-precision Active Noise Reduction of 30dB for background noises, support to voice calls and music playback, plus built-in Touch Controls, Online Translation for 40 languages and 93 accents and Offline Translation for 8 language pairs, 3 Translation Modes, a Learnywhere function for practicing your English skills on-the-go, Dual Bluetooth 5.2 Connectivity for their In-App functionalities via the Timekettle App, USB-C Charging, and up to 25 hours of battery life.
All in all, these smart language translation earbuds are a great accessory for people traveling abroad, as they allow you to explore different countries and communicate with people of different nationalities without struggling with language barriers.
If you’re interested in purchasing them, know that each pair is priced at $149.99, and each purchase also comes accompanied by a 30-Day Free Return and a 1-Year Warranty. You can order yours online right now, either directly from Timekettle’s official shopping page, or alternatively, you can get them from Amazon, if you’d prefer.
