Timekettle X1

The Timekettle X1, marketed as an “AI Interpreter Hub,” arrives with a dedicated device that’s rather brilliant for business meetings, social gatherings, and international calls. Whilst boasting support for 40 languages and 93 accents online, alongside 8 languages offline, the system can be enhanced by purchasing additional interpreter hub devices. Mind you, there’s a bit of a snag. With just one Interpreter Hub device, you’re limited to conversations between two people. Should you fancy using multi-person features, such as voice call translation, you’ll need to invest in two or more devices. At roughly £550 for a single Interpreter Hub device, £1100 for two, and £1650 for three, it’s not exactly pocket money. What’s more, the 40 languages on offer seem rather modest when compared to more affordable alternatives in the market. Rather disappointingly, the manufacturer hasn’t included any charging devices in the package. Additionally, there’s no SIM card provided for Internet connectivity. Users must sort out their own connection, which can be rather bothersome. Although there is an offline mode available, it’s quite limited with only 8 languages. The absence of a SIM card is particularly problematic, as these modern translation devices rely heavily on Internet connectivity to function properly. On a more positive note, the Listen & Play Mode is quite impressive. It’s rather like having your own personal interpreter whispering in your ear during meetings and international conferences. The concept is straightforward: pop in the earbuds, and they’ll pick up and translate what people are saying during meetings, speeches, or any other occasion. This feature works splendidly even with just one Interpreter Hub device. It’s worth noting that the X1 can function as a handheld translator via the Ask & Go mode. However, there’s some confusion regarding whether the earbuds are essential for this feature. Whilst the promotional video shows someone using just the Interpreter Hub device without earbuds, the feature description suggests otherwise. A particularly clever feature is the translation subnet capability. It allows up to 20 devices to be interconnected, enabling everyone to converse in their native language.