Photo courtesy Timekettle

Opinions expressed by Digital Journal contributors are their own.

Tech advancements have made communication easier and faster than ever before, breaking time and space barriers by allowing people to connect and interact with each other anywhere on the globe within a fraction of a second. However, Language has proven a much tougher barrier to break. Language barriers can be embarrassing or inconvenient at best and counterproductive at worst, leading to a plethora of potential issues from misunderstandings and misinformation to conflict, severed relationships or even serious errors.  

In today’s globalized society, facilitating multilingual communication has become more important than ever, in both professional and personal settings. And with over 7,100 languages spoken in the world, translation devices certainly come in handy. Unfortunately, despite developments in translation technology and the numerous language translation apps that have emerged over the years, it’s still difficult for speakers of different languages to communicate clearly and efficiently and have fluent conversations. These apps can help to some extent, but they’re often difficult to use in real-life scenarios and can fall short of producing accurate translations.

These are the very reasons that inspired the creation of the WT2 Edge Translator Earbuds from Timekettle which promises to take us one step closer to a world where language barriers no longer represent an issue. 

Taking translation to the next level with an innovative in-ear interpreter

With their trailblazing WT2 Edge 2-way simultaneous translator earbuds, Timekettle aims to revolutionize the translation industry, which has so far been populated by devices that are not much different from one another, by making fast and accurate translations available to everyone.

WT2 Edge stands out from the rest with the integration of their patented HybridComm 2.0 technology which enables the delivery of seamless real-time translation and ensures a far superior translation experience. These AI-powered devices give users the possibility to engage in long and in-depth conversations and make multilingual communication feel as natural and convenient as possible, no matter the languages that are spoken. 

Their TurboFast SI Technology provides impressive processing capacity with words being translated and played back into the listener’s ear in just 0.5 seconds. This means users don’t have to worry about latency and awkward pauses in conversations. And since the devices employ machine learning to translate speech accurately, it means their translation capacity will only get better with time. 

The WT2 translator device can be used by one person alone or they can be paired with the Timekettle app for smooth 2-way simultaneous interpretation and fluent conversations between speakers. As for the languages it supports, WT2 Edge can translate 40 languages and 93 accents, covering 85% of the world’s population. 

Different modes for different translation needs 

Since translation requirements differ based on context and users’ specific needs, Timekettle’s translator device offers four different modes to suit a variety of scenarios.  

• Simul Mode – this mode is designed for seamless conversations between users who want to feel like they’re speaking the same language. The bi-directional simultaneous interpretation that happens in real-time makes it possible for speakers to communicate effortlessly with each other without pauses or interruptions.
• Touch Mode – those who prefer a more structured approach to translation can try the touch mode which gives users the possibility to activate their translator earbuds when tapped, so they can translate their words instantly and take turns to speak. This mode is ideal for noisy environments or when one wants to be extra sure their message is conveyed accurately. 
• Speaker Mode – as the name suggests, this mode is made for those who want to communicate with others using their phone’s speaker. The speaker’s voice is instantly recognized, translated and then replayed via the phone’s speaker. 
• Listen Mode – the listen mode is the reverse of the speaker mode, meaning it allows the phone’s microphone to pick up the users’ voice which is then interpreted and replayed in their earbuds. 

Multi-person bilingual conversations made easy 

Business meetings involving participants who speak different languages can be quite challenging for all parties. But with WT2 Edge’s advanced features, bilingual group communication can run smoothly on any given topic. 

The Touch mode can be employed by up to six individuals who can engage in face-to-face conversations by connecting their earbuds to the same mobile device. The dialogue dynamic can take different forms such as 1 to 5, 2 to 4, or 3 to 3, giving speakers the opportunity to interact and convey their messages clearly to their counterparts. 

What’s more, the group chat mode makes it possible for up to 200 people to take part in online meetings and chat via audio messages, regardless of their language. By removing the language barrier, these smart functionalities can make business meetings considerably less stressful and infinitely more productive. 

Designed for personal or professional use 

WT2 Edge in-ear translator device is perfect for business settings where interlocutors often speak different languages and clear and precise communication is a requirement. Teams that encompass professionals from various nationalities and backroads can definitely benefit from using an advanced translation tool like WT2 Edge. 

However, these innovative translation devices can prove just as useful for other categories of users. For example, they can facilitate communication in cross-language families where day-to-day conversations may feel cumbersome. Similarly, WT2 Edge multilingual earbuds can support immigrants when dealing with authorities or official bodies in their country of residence. Students or people who simply want to improve their language skills can also include Timekettle’s earbuds in their learning arsenal. And obviously, globe throttlers can take their WT2 Edge earbuds on their adventures around the world to communicate with the locals and adapt to their new environments. Price-wise, the WT2 Edge translator earbuds can be purchased on sale for $349 if paired with a USB-C or Lightning adaptor for a faster connection. For the online-only version, the price starts at $299 and can go up to $350 if online features are added.