Latest news with #earphones
Forbes
16-05-2025
- Forbes
These Tiny Earphones Translate Between 15 Languages Using AI
Acer AI TransBuds Acer Language translation is one of the more compelling uses for AI and machine learning tech, and Acer has built it into a pair of earphones, the Acer AI TransBuds. Well, sort of. The Acer AI TransBuds look much like a fairly ordinary pair of open ear headphones, one of the most recent design trends in wireless pairs, but they are made for AI-powered 'two-way voice translation.' And the idea is only one person needs to wear the Acer AI TransBuds. That doesn't entirely make sense until you hear these earphones also rely on a wirelessly connected phone or tablet, which can display the 'live captioning and transcription' results, perhaps while the wearer gets an audio translation. It's this connected device that presumably does all of the real work of translation — most likely via cloud compute — as a pair of earphones is unlikely to be able to hold the processing and battery power required for full on-device translation for some time still. The Acer AI TransBuds have tiny 50mAh batteries, and include a charging case just like a regular true wireless pair. They support Bluetooth 5.4 and have an ear hook design, which is necessary because the actual bud parts don't have an IEM-style tip or even the classic style of earbud designed to rest behind the ear's tragus. That's deliberate, to stop them from blocking you hearing what the other person is saying, even if you can't understand them. Acer says the AI TransBuds support 15 languages at present. And while these are not specified, they are described as 'major languages spoken across Asia, the Americas, and Europe.' The Acer AI TransBuds are not quite as revolutionary as they may seem from a one-sentence description, but it is refreshing to see a household name take on what is still quite a niche area of tech. They might be compared to the Vasco Translator E1 earbuds or the Timekettle M3 Translation Earbuds. All three pairs operate using the same concept, pairing to a smartphone app in order to provide translation. This also means the real worth of the Acer AI TransBuds is in the part Acer has talked little about so far, the software. Acer also has not yet revealed when the AI TransBuds are planned for a release, or where they will be marketed.
Digital Trends
15-05-2025
- Digital Trends
Apple AirPods Pro 3 just got leaked, and it came from Apple itself
A fresh leak may have just revealed that the latest Apple AirPods Pro 3 are due to arrive soon. While leaks about these new earpods are not new, what is pretty unique about this is that it comes from Apple itself. Well, specifically from some Apple code. Recommended Videos Shared in a post on X, Aaron Perris, claims to have found this in a recent software release from Apple. What that software is specifically, is less clear. Essentially the shift makes a reference to AirPods that are newer than the AirPods Pro 2, suggesting Apple is readying its software for the release of the new earphones. How did the Apple AirPods Pro 3 leak? The line of code shared by Perris shows a shift where it previously read 'AirPods Pro 2 Generation' but it now reads 'AirPods Pro 2 or later.' So what the software is, might be unclear, but that's not massively relevant since the overriding fact here is that Apple is preparing for functionality with newer AirPods. The fact this apparent leak comes from Apple's own software does help add weight to the rumours that the new AirPods Pro 3 could arrive soon. What is the Apple AirPods Pro 3 release date? Rumours have suggested we could see the new Apple AirPods Pro 3 as soon as the WWDC 2025 event in June. It seems likely that Apple would launch these alongside the iPhone 17 which is expected in September, as per the usual release cycle. What are the Apple AirPods Pro 3 expected specs? Rumours suggest we can expect the Apple AirPods Pro 3 to come with a new H3 chip, which should help improve the Active Noise Cancellation and battery performance. They may also have a new design, although little more on this has been leaked at this stage.
The Guardian
15-05-2025
- General
- The Guardian
You be the judge: should my girlfriend stop using my earphones?
It's gross – I wouldn't use her toothbrush, so why would I use her earphones? I've been going out with my girlfriend, Lila, for three years. We obviously know each other intimately, but I just can't get on board with sharing earphones. There's something so gross about it. I hate cleaning off someone else's earwax afterwards and Lila's ears are generally stickier than mine. Lila thinks I'm overreacting. She thinks that because we're dating it's weird to be so grossed out by this. But I wouldn't use her toothbrush, so why would I use her earphones? We both have cheap pairs and leave them around the flat. But Lila treats both sets as if they are hers, even though I deliberately bought blue ones to distinguish them. I only use mine, so when I see her connecting to my set for a run, or walking out the door with them, I make her swap. This isn't just me being fussy, it's actually backed by science. Earwax carries bacteria and earphones can trap moisture. I read an article that said shared earphones can increase the risk of ear infections. Maybe I'm a neurotic germophobe, but I'd rather that than get an ear infection. Lila has lost her earphones twice. She used to have some expensive Apple ones, which she left in a bar. Since then, she's only had cheaper ones, but she's lost those too. I don't want her to lose mine. Sometimes she forgets to bring hers on a journey. Once, on a trip to Wales to see my parents, she wanted to listen to my playlist. I reluctantly gave her my earphones, even though I didn't want to. I ended up disinfecting them afterwards, which offended her. Lila framed it as if I had rejected a sweet romantic gesture, but I just didn't like the idea of shared ear goo. There are lots of other ways to connect, after all. We cuddle, we cook together, we watch movies and I'm affectionate. I just don't want to be guilt-tripped for keeping my earphones to myself. If I have to start hiding them, I will, but I'd rather Lila just stick to the earphone rules of our home. We kiss and do all the normal things couples do – so why are earphones a step too far? Tim is a bit more of a clean freak than me, but I'm not dirty. I always do the lion's share of the cleaning in our flat and I shower just as often as Tim, which is once a day (sometimes more, if I've exercised). But I don't see sharing earphones as being risky or gross. In the past, when I've lost mine, I've had no choice but to use his, and then I just got used to it. Tim says sharing is unhygienic, but that feels overblown. We kiss and do all the normal things couples do. But for some reason earphones are a step too far for him. I'm sure there are more bacteria in our mouths. Whenever I use Tim's earphones he makes this big show of wiping them down with his sleeve, or gets out this special spray. He physically stops me and makes me take his earphones out if he sees me using them. He's had a few ear infections in his life, from swimming. I've never had one, so I don't know the pain of that. But I'm pretty sure you can't get an infection from sharing earphones. When Tim once disinfected his earphones after we shared them on a train journey, I was mildly offended but also quite amused. I didn't leave any earwax on them and I don't agree with the notion that my ears are more sticky than his. I clean them regularly, it's just something he's conjured up to justify not sharing. I also think sharing earphones on a journey is quite romantic. I'm not trying to infect him, I'm inviting him to watch a show that I'm enjoying. It's a form of connection, and I don't think humans get enough of that any more – we are always rushing, or listening to separate shows and playlists on the go. Why not share earphones on a plane and be connected to the same thing? For me, it's not a big deal – if you live together everything is fair game. When you're in a relationship, you share things. I'm not asking to borrow his toothbrush or razor, and even that wouldn't be the end of the world to me. I just want to live safe in the knowledge that if I have to listen to the music for 10 minutes I won't be treated as though I'm some kind of sticky-eared monster. Sign up to Inside Saturday The only way to get a look behind the scenes of the Saturday magazine. Sign up to get the inside story from our top writers as well as all the must-read articles and columns, delivered to your inbox every weekend. after newsletter promotion Should Lila only use her own earphones? I relate to Lila, but she should respect Tim's wishes. I don't think sharing things in a relationship is a big deal, and agree that it can create a sense of intimacy. But it sounds like this matters more to Tim than it does to Lila, so she should respect his 28 Tim is overreacting. How likely is it really that you'd get an ear infection from sharing earphones? When you're in a long-term relationship, you become a team and it's nice to feel comfortable enough to share things that you wouldn't with other 25 I do understand where Lila is coming from, and if I were her I'd feel a bit put out too. But it seems like this is a red line for Tim. If Lila wants to share earphones, they should buy a splitter. Then they can share music but keep their own 36 We all have odd quirks in relationships, and this is clearly Tim's. Lila might not think it's a big deal, but if it makes him uncomfortable enough to disinfect his earphones, Lila shouldn't pressure him into 45 I wouldn't think twice about sharing earphones with my girlfriend, but I still think Lila is in the wrong. If Tim feels that strongly about it, Lila should respect 31 In our online poll, tell us who you think is in the wrong? The poll closes on Wednesday 21 May at 10am BST We asked if Neil should stop tracking his daughter on his phone 97% of you said yes – Neil is guilty 3% of you said no – Neil is not guilty
