Latest news with #MattHorne
Android Authority
8 hours ago
- Android Authority
Timekettle W4 Pro vs Google Translate: Is premium hardware a step up from the free app?
Matt Horne / Android Authority Timekettle's AI Interpreter Earbuds aim to usher in a 'new era of seamless global business interactions.' That's a bold goal, but a device that can fluidly translate a two-way conversation in real time might just achieve it. We've put the device through its paces by running side-by-side comparisons to see how the W4 Pro stacks up against Google Translate's Conversation Mode, on its own and when paired with the Pixel Buds Pro 2. What is the Timekettle W4 Pro? Matt Horne / Android Authority The Timekettle W4 Pro is a pair of open-ear AI-powered interpreter earbuds engineered for real-time conversations across languages. Unlike traditional translation apps that rely on and turn-taking, the W4 Pro is built for fluid, two-way speech. With support for 40 languages and 93 accents, and powered by the advanced Babel OS platform, it enables multiple conversation modes. This includes One-on-One, which lets two people speak freely while wearing one earbud each. Designed for a professional level of clarity and speed, the W4 Pro also supports offline translation, phone call translation, and even real-time subtitles while watching video content. Google Translate: Free, but limited Matt Horne / Android Authority Google Translate's Conversation Mode is a solid starting point for multilingual communication. It's free, easy to use, and can get you through basic interactions. For simple travel phrases or transactional exchanges, it does the job well enough. But like most app-based systems, it's built around turn-taking. You tap the mic, speak, and wait. Accuracy is generally good, though it occasionally stumbles over informal phrasing and filler words. The voice output is functional but lacks emotional nuance. Most notably, the app won't start translating until the speaker has clearly finished, leading to long pauses that can break the flow of conversation. With the Pixel Buds Pro 2 Matt Horne / Android Authority Adding Pixel Buds Pro 2 into the mix gives the experience a more private feel, at least in theory. In practice, Google Translate still depends entirely on the phone's mic for voice pickup. When you wear both buds, you can hear translations in your ears, but your responses are only displayed on-screen for the recipient. Using one bud each, you hear all of the translated speech so both of you listen to the lines intended for the other person. There's no way to split the audio directionally in this setup, which makes the experience feel messy. Ultimately, while Google Translate with Pixel Buds adds convenience, it doesn't change the core experience. You still have to take turns and tap the screen between speakers, and the system lacks the fluidity you'd want in more natural conversation. Timekettle W4 Pro: Built for dialogue Speaking and Listening Modes Matt Horne / Android Authority The Speaking and Listening modes on the Timekettle W4 Pro are the most familiar options for users coming from translation apps like Google Translate. One person wears both earbuds in these modes, although the input and output methods depend on who's speaking. In Speaking mode, the wearer of the buds speaks into the three-mic arrays of the W4 Pro, with the translation played from the phone speaker for the other person. In Listening mode, the phone mic will pick up the non-wearer's dialogue, with the translation delivered privately through the buds. What sets the W4 Pro apart, even in this more familiar setup, is its responsiveness. It initially awaits an imminent pause, but if the speaker continues uninterrupted, it quickly processes and speaks the translation, helping conversations feel more fluid. In that sense, it's reminiscent of a high-functioning human interpreter, softly speaking the translation in your ear while simultaneously listening out for the next part of the conversation. It's reminiscent of a high-functioning human interpreter, softly speaking the translation in your ear. The Vector Noise Cancelation also comes into play for the person wearing the buds, fading the speaker out a little for a more focused experience. It's like seeing an interviewee talking on a show with the dubbed English translation over the top. Translation accuracy appears equal to or better than Google Translate in testing, and latency is marginally quicker. The nuance and timbre of the voices (you can choose male or female) on the Timekettle W4 Pro also sound more natural than the robotic tone of Google Translate. These modes are best suited for situations where one person does most of the talking and the other primarily listens, such as business meetings or presentations. They're not as good as One-on-One mode for rapid, two-way dialogue, but they're a clear improvement over Google Translate, where you hear both sides of the translations and may wait long periods before interpretation begins. One-on-One Mode Matt Horne / Android Authority This is where the W4 Pro truly stands out. One-on-One Mode enables two people to each wear one earbud and speak freely, without screen taps or even needing the phone in earshot. Each earbud can record and play audio, letting you sit back and focus entirely on the conversation. This makes a huge difference in practice. Conversations no longer feel like turn-based interactions. You can speak naturally, interject, and even overlap at times. Even if you deliberately try to interrupt each other mid-sentence, the system still manages to separate and translate the essential content accurately. That kind of resilience is what makes the W4 Pro feel less like a gadget and more like a tool. It also solved one of the core frustrations of other setups: hearing both sides of the conversation. With One-on-One Mode, each person only hears the translation of what the other is saying, and not that of their own speech. It's easier to focus without needing to filter out audio that wasn't meant for you mentally, and it adds to the feeling that you each have your own personal translator on your shoulder. Whether you're sitting close together or across a table with music in the background, the mic pickup stays consistent. The lack of screen interaction makes it feel like you are speaking directly. Real-world performance and extra features Matt Horne / Android Authority The W4 Pro's open-ear design doesn't isolate sound as tightly as in-ear buds, but thanks to directional microphones and noise cancelation, translation quality holds up well even with background chatter, and even continues to deliver strong voice pickup in noisier locations like sports venues. Alongside its core translation modes, other W4 Pro features add to its versatility: Phone calls: Real-time call translation performed well in back-and-forth speech. While overlapping voices created some confusion for the party without the W4 Pro, it's still a very useful tool if you need to make an important call to someone with whom you don't share a common tongue. Real-time call translation performed well in back-and-forth speech. While overlapping voices created some confusion for the party without the W4 Pro, it's still a very useful tool if you need to make an important call to someone with whom you don't share a common tongue. Media playback: Watching YouTube with floating translated subtitles from the Timekettle app proved surprisingly effective. Even fast speech and slang-heavy content remained understandable, which would be a huge plus for language learners or casual viewers. Watching YouTube with floating translated subtitles from the Timekettle app proved surprisingly effective. Even fast speech and slang-heavy content remained understandable, which would be a huge plus for language learners or casual viewers. Offline mode: A downloaded language pack for offline use delivered solid results, with English-Spanish among the 13 packs available. Relying on the device in areas with poor connectivity is a major advantage for travel and business. A downloaded language pack for offline use delivered solid results, with English-Spanish among the 13 packs available. Relying on the device in areas with poor connectivity is a major advantage for travel and business. LLM translation: A trial feature in the Timekettle app uses AI to fit translations into a better context. It showed promise in Listening, Speaking, and One-on-One modes, delivering a more natural conversational flow while staying true to the speaker's message. Timekettle W4 Pro: Verdict Matt Horne / Android Authority Tools like Google Translate are simple to use and fairly effective, especially considering they're free. They're great for travel, quick phrases, or one-off conversations. However, when the goal is to hold a fluid, back-and-forth discussion across languages, their limitations start to show. The Timekettle W4 Pro stands out because, especially in One-on-One Mode, it unlocks the way real multilingual conversation should work. No tapping on screens or overlong pauses while the system waits for the other person to finish. It's an entirely different experience, particularly for professionals who might otherwise be paying for an interpreter. The $449 retail price is significant, but in that context, it might often prove to be a cost-effective investment. If the goal is to speak naturally and be understood, without tech getting in the way, it's hard to imagine a more intuitive solution on the market. Comparison across major translation earbuds models Timekettle Timekettle W4 Pro Timekettle W4 Pro One-on-One mode enables hands-free conversations • Accurate, fast translations • Comfortable open-ear design MSRP: $449.00 The Timekettle W4 Pro are AI-powered interpreter earbuds that support real-time, bidirectional translation across 40 languages and 93 accents. They offer multiple modes for conversations, meetings, media playback, and phone calls, with offline translation for select languages. The open-ear design supports up to six hours of continuous use, and the app works with both iOS and Android. See price at Manufacturer site See price at Amazon
Android Authority
13 hours ago
- Android Authority
This app tells me I'm going to die 5 times a day, and I love it
Matt Horne / Android Authority Over the last couple of weeks, I've been showing friends a notification on my phone. It simply reads, 'Don't forget, you're going to die.' Most of them immediately responded by looking at me with a mixture of confusion and concern. I like to let that look sit for a moment before explaining what's going on. Far from suggesting that I'm unraveling mentally, these notifications are from an app that wants me to cherish life. It's called WeCroak, and it sends me five of these identical notifications each day at random times between 7 AM and 10 PM. When each arrives on my screen, I can tap it to open the app, where a new quote about death greets me. This could be from a philosopher, a poet, a movie star, or anyone. But that's just a bonus feature for me — I'd be happy enough with the notifications. The idea is as simple as it is clever. If you're regularly reminded that our time on this mortal coil is short, you should learn to appreciate the small things and seemingly mundane moments more. That could be the coffee in your hand, the sun on your face, or a friendly smile from a stranger. The mantra behind the app comes from a piece of traditional wisdom in Bhutanese culture, which holds that, 'To be a happy person, one must contemplate death five times daily.' I've found it very effective. I'm lucky enough to have a relatively comfortable and positive life compared to the next guy, but it's easy to find yourself going through the motions day to day. How easy it is to wish away the work week on a Tuesday, forgetting that we only get around 4,000 weeks on this planet. Whether I'm trying to decide if I have the energy to go to the gym or I'm picking out fruit in a supermarket, the notifications always make me pause to appreciate my lot in life. I'm not religious or spiritual, but we can all relate to the fleeting nature of our existence. If you find yourself doomscrolling for hours or grumbling about a coworker all day under your breath, give this app a try. It doesn't track you, has no social features, and doesn't gamify anything — it just casually delivers an eerie message, and hopefully encourages you to remember what is and isn't important. Just don't blame me if your friends initially give you an odd look.
Android Authority
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Android Authority
My dad always starts Wordle with the same 3 words, and it just feels wrong
Rita El Khoury / Android Authority On a recent family trip, I learned my dad always starts Wordle with the same three words. I know this is a ridiculous hill to die on, but for some reason, this doesn't sit right with me. It's not that his approach is ineffective — quite the opposite. But to me, it drains the joy out of the game. Do you always use the same starting words for Wordle? 0 votes Yes, at least the first two are always the same. NaN % I always use the same first word, then I often change. NaN % I try to start with a different word every day. NaN % I don't play Wordle. NaN % It's a bit like ordering the same meal at your favorite restaurant every time you go, even if it's the best thing on the menu. You're not wrong, exactly. You'll no doubt enjoy it. But where's the variety? Where's the spice? Just tell us the words! Matt Horne / Android Authority I'll get on my high horse about why I'm being the Fun Police in a moment, but I'll reveal my old man's opening three Wordle words first. His first word is TASER. Makes sense, with five of the most common letters, including two of the most common vowels. Incidentally, he used to start with STARE, but then that was the first word one day, so he switched the letter order around to keep the first-guess hopes alive. I have no interest in debating Wordle strategy — I'm not trying to start a TED Talk about vowel frequency — but a quick bit of Googling taught me that TARSE is the optimal starting word. That's another anagram with the same five letters, and I wouldn't be surprised if my dad knew that. I didn't even know this was a word. The next word is COLIN, hitting two more common vowels and three handy consonants. I didn't even know this was a word; I thought it was just a dude's name. However, it's apparently a cute game bird, also known as the Northern Bobwhite. I like the idea of a bird called Colin (or Bob), plus it's exactly the kind of borderline word the New York Times might throw in just to watch Wordle players descend into chaos. Putting a cat amongst the colins, if you will. He occasionally deviates at this stage if he has most of the letters. If not, his third word is DUMPY. That tidies up the last vowel and leaves not many common letters untested. These are smart choices. I imagine I'd find out that they're near optimal if I could be bothered to look into it, and it's an approach that hits many of the NYT's own Wordle tips. But he's at least at the halfway stage of the game by this point, without any challenge or fun. Aren't games meant to be fun? Nick Fernandez / Android Authority Pixel 9 official case Look, everyone is welcome to play Wordle in the way that makes them happy. But if you play this way, are you really happy? For me, the game is a five-minute daily diversion. It's a testing little interlude and a small snack for my brain. Just because you can optimize your strategy to within an inch of its life, I'm not convinced you should make at least half of it the same each time. The game doesn't care if you solve it in two or six. There's no leaderboard, no prize, no grand reward. If my dad had worked out a way to beat the house in Vegas, I'd be right behind his optimization. But all there is to gain from Wordle is fun, and perhaps a bit of pride. On that latter point, as I said about my Duolingo streak, other people don't care about your stats. And if games are meant to be fun, doesn't locking in the first half of every round miss the point? When my dad plays, the first few guesses feel mechanical and not like part of the puzzle at all. He isn't playing a game until word three or four. It's like always playing blackjack by the book against a computer, and for no cash prize, except it's probably even less satisfying because Wordle is over two minutes later. He isn't playing a game until word three or four. My mom and I take the random approach of starting with the first five-letter word that comes into our heads. Often it's a word I just heard on a podcast, or sometimes it's a total wildcard with odd and repeated letters, like VEXED. Then I'll see where it takes me. So what if it's wildly inefficient? It gives me a different challenge every day. My dad almost certainly has better stats than I do, but like I said, no one cares. Let's live a little, shall we? Even if it's in the most minor way possible. If you start Wordle with the same three words, please tell me why in the comments. Does failing ruin your day? Is it a competition for bragging rights with your partner or friends? I'm happy to be shown the bigger picture, as long as it doesn't look the same every day.
