ⓘ Timekettle
Timekettle's translation earbuds are getting a little more multilingual. A new software update adds 12 offline language pairs to the existing W4 Pro and W4 Plus models, making them more useful when Wi-Fi and mobile data decide to disappear at the worst possible moment.
Getting lost in translation is one thing. Getting lost in translation without an internet connection is quite another. Timekettle wants to make the latter a little less frustrating with a new software update for its W4 Pro and W4 Plus interpreter earbuds. The W4 Pro has been around since 2025, while the newer W4 Plus arrived in September 2026. Both already offered offline translation, so there's no revolutionary new technology here. Instead, the October 20 update expands the number of supported offline language pairs from 13 to 25, covering 12 languages.
The 12 additions include Arabic, Thai, Italian, Portuguese, Indonesian and Vietnamese, each supporting two-way translation with English and Chinese. They join existing languages such as Japanese, Spanish, Russian, Korean, German and French. Online translation coverage also gets a boost, reaching 54 languages and 108 accents, with Kazakh and Khmer joining the list.
For travelers, this means fewer situations where a missing internet connection turns a simple conversation into an elaborate game of charades. The extra languages could also come in handy during business trips or international meetings. Of course, supporting more languages doesn't necessarily mean understanding them perfectly. Regional accents, background noise and local expressions can still cause trouble, and the expanded translation capabilities haven't been independently tested.
The update is already available to W4 Pro and W4 Plus owners. No new earbuds required, which is probably the nicest part of the announcement.
The video below shows an earlier demonstration of the W4 Pro's translation features, before the latest update expanded its offline language support.
Aurelian Nedelcu - Tech Writer - 21 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2026
Aurelian Nedelcu is a technology enthusiast with a background in journalism and radio. His years working aboard cruise ships took him around the world, broadening his perspective. A lifelong music lover and active DJ, he has a keen interest in consumer electronics, audio technology, and emerging trends, bringing curiosity and hands-on experience to his writing.