Timekettle unveiled the new W4 Plus AI Interpreter Earbuds, a significant upgrade to the compact W4 platform that brings face-to-face translation, live listening, real-time call interpretation and multimedia translation together in one portable device. Designed for global business, travel and everyday communication, W4 Plus allows users to move between conversations across a table, international phone calls, online meetings, conferences and foreign-language content without changing devices. Integrated AI capabilities also help users understand specialized terminology, maintain context across longer conversations and turn translated meetings into concise summaries and key takeaways, helping ensure important decisions do not get lost in translation.

Powered by Babel OS 3.0, W4 Plus supports 52 languages and 106 accents online, together with 13 offline language pairs. The earbuds combine Timekettle’s bone-conduction voiceprint sensing, dual microphones and the new VoiceFocus algorithm to capture speech in crowded environments and during quieter conversations when users may not want to raise their voices.

The full-feature W4 Plus is priced at $379, while the W4 Plus Subscription Version is priced at $299. The earbuds will be demonstrated throughout IFA 2026 at the Timekettle booth 164 Hall 3.2.

From Face-to-Face Translation to All-Day Global Communication
Introduced at IFA 2025, the original W4 brought Timekettle’s bone-voiceprint sensing and context-aware translation into a compact semi-in-ear design. W4 Plus retains the portable W4 form factor while significantly expanding the situations in which users can communicate across languages. Four translation modes allow one pair of earbuds to support conversations throughout the day:

· One-on-One Translation allows two people to each wear one earbud for natural, simultaneous, two-way conversation.
· Listen & Play supports live listening at conferences, lectures, presentations and guided tours, with audio saving, transcription and AI-assisted review.
· Voice Call Translation provides real-time, two-way interpretation for traditional phone calls, video calls and online meetings on platforms including Zoom, WeChat, WhatsApp, and Telegram (among others). The other participant does not need to install an app, wear a device or use specialized translation equipment. The W4 Plus user hears the translated response through the earbuds while live bilingual transcription is displayed on their phone. Calls/meetings can be saved for later review.
· Multi-Media Translation interprets audio and video from mainstream content platforms such as YouTube, Netflix and social media videos, while displaying synchronized translated subtitles.

Together, the four modes allow users to move from a face-to-face conversation to an international call, conference session or foreign-language video without switching to a different translation device.

AI Tools Add Context and Continuity to Translation
Beyond translating individual words and sentences, W4 Plus uses AI to help users follow the terminology, context and important information contained within longer multilingual conversations. These capabilities are designed for international meetings and discussions where consistency and understanding matter alongside immediate translation:

· AI Specialized Translation allows users to select the industry profile that best matches the conversation. Five profiles—General, Tech & Internet, Manufacturing & Industry, New Energy & Green Tech, and Biotech & Pharma—automatically account for the terminology, commonly used phrases, jargon and industry-specific expressions associated with each field, helping reduce mistranslations during specialized discussions.
· AI Conversation Memory maintains context across longer, multi-turn discussions, helping preserve consistent terminology, meaning and phrasing throughout the conversation.
· AI Live Summary condenses saved conversations and meetings into concise takeaways, making it easier to identify important information and review what was discussed.
· AI Lab (Personalized Language Experience) gives users greater control over how they communicate across languages. Personal Glossary allows users to save custom names, terminology and phrases so they are always translated consistently. Style Translation lets users instantly adjust the tone of translations—including professional, humorous or romantic—to suit different situations. AI Speaking Coach simulates real-world conversations such as job interviews, business meetings, travel and everyday interactions, helping users build confidence and improve their English, Chinese or Spanish through personalized practice.

Clearer Voice Pickup Without Speaking Up
W4 Plus builds on the W4’s bone-conduction voiceprint sensor with a three-part voice-pickup system combining bone-conduction sensing, dual microphones and the new VoiceFocus algorithm. Bone-conduction sensing detects the wearer’s voice through physical vibrations, helping separate it from surrounding sound. The dual microphones capture and enhance speech, while VoiceFocus applies an additional layer of noise reduction and voice enhancement.

The system isolates speech at trade shows, airports, conferences and other busy locations while also improving recognition for soft-spoken users in cafés, libraries and face-to-face meetings. The upgraded VoiceFocus noise reduction algorithm improves low-volume voice pickup performance by 32%-47% compared with the original W4.

Babel OS 3.0 Delivers Faster, More Natural Translation
Babel OS 3.0 automatically selects the optimal translation engine for each language pairing and uses Timekettle’s global service nodes to help reduce cross-border latency and maintain stable performance when network quality is less than ideal.

An AI refinement layer then enhances translations so they sound more natural and conversational, rather than word-for-word. By recognizing context and refining phrasing, it helps conversations flow more naturally while preserving the speaker's intended meaning. The system also switches seamlessly between online and offline translation, reducing delays so users can continue communicating with minimal interruption.

“W4 Plus takes everything users loved about W4 and makes translation smarter, clearer and more natural” said Tian Leal, Founder and CEO of Timekettle. “With upgraded Babel OS 3.0, enhanced VoiceFocus technology and new AI capabilities, W4 Plus delivers more accurate voice pickup, better contextual understanding and a more natural translation experience—helping people communicate across languages with less friction.”

Compact Design with All-Day Power
Each W4 Plus earbud weighs 5.7 g and uses a semi-in-ear design intended for comfortable extended use. The earbuds and charging case have a combined weight of 116.5 g, making the system easy to carry in a pocket, briefcase or travel bag. Each earbud provides more than three hours of continuous translation on a single charge. The charging case extends total translation time to up to 12 hours and supports up to 18 hours of music playback. Full technical specifications can be viewed here.

Pricing and Availability
Available in three colors, Space Black, Midnight Blue and Sandy Gold, the Timekettle W4 Plus is priced at $379 for full access to all features without a monthly subscription. The W4 Plus Subscription Version is priced at $299 and includes unlimited One-on-One Translation, Listen & Play, AI Language Tutor and Offline Translation. Enhanced features such as Voice Call Translation, Multi-Media Translation and the three advanced AI capabilities can be unlocked through an Unlimited Plan priced at $14.99 per month. The plan can be canceled at any time. The W4 Plus is available from September 6, 2026, through Timekettle’s official website and Amazon.