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International team meetings often require expensive translation services, specialised equipment and additional infrastructure. Timekettle believes this process can be significantly simplified. The manufacturer has just unveiled the X1 Meeting Interpreter Hub, a compact device weighing just 199 grams that is intended to provide real-time conversation translation without the need for translation booths or external interpreters. The device is designed for companies, conferences and international teams working in multiple languages.
A single device can handle up to 50 participants
The new hub allows multilingual meetings with as many as 50 people at once. According to the maker, the system can translate conversations in real time between five languages during a single meeting. In total the device supports 52 languages and 106 different accents, which should improve effectiveness in an international business environment. Meeting hosts use special headsets with noise-cancelling and multiple microphones that accurately capture voice. This means the translation should work properly even in noisy conference rooms. Other participants don't need to install any additional apps. They simply scan a QR code or click a shared link on a smartphone, tablet or computer. The system displays translations both as text and as audio. The solution could be particularly useful at conferences, business meetings and training sessions for international teams. Timekettle says the whole process has been designed to minimise technical issues and speed up meeting start-up. That lets users focus on the conversation rather than on setting up equipment. The manufacturer hopes AI will replace some traditional translation services.
Data stays local, but the price isn't cheap
One of the device's key features is local data storage. All meeting transcriptions are saved directly to the device's 32 GB memory, without the need to upload them to the cloud. For many companies this may be an important factor for security and protection of sensitive information. For larger events there is the option to connect up to ten hubs at once. The devices communicate wirelessly over a short range, which allows you to scale meeting coverage. Saved data can then be exported via the USB-C port. Although the hardware's capabilities are impressive, the biggest hurdle for some customers may be the price. The X1 Meeting Interpreter Hub is priced at US$849. That's an amount that may be hard to accept for small businesses or small teams. On the other hand, companies that regularly run international meetings may find the expense cost-effective compared with the price of professional interpreting services. Timekettle argues the device can significantly simplify communication between people who speak different languages. If the technology delivers on the manufacturer's promises, it could become an interesting alternative to traditional conferencing solutions.
Timekettle X1 Meeting Interpreter Hub is a compact device that uses AI for real-time translation of conversations. The device supports up to 50 participants, five languages simultaneously, and stores transcripts locally. However, its $849 price tag may be a barrier for many users.
source: digitaltrends
