Translation earbuds made by Shenzhen start-up making 'big noises' on global market

Chinese-made smart translation earbuds capable of real-time interpretation have become a sought-after product worldwide while throwing a spotlight on Timekettle, a start-up business behind them based in Shenzhen, a vibrant advanced manufacturing hub in south China's Guangdong Province.

Located in Shenzhen’s Nanshan District, Timekettle has created a market-leading product with simultaneous interpretation powered by artificial intelligence.

Jordan Gray, an American national who lives in China, has been looking for a wearable translation device that allows for seamless, natural conversations. He says that Timekettle’s earbuds can translate spoken words from different languages within a five-second delay, making communication incredibly easy.

"It's amazing for being able to actually connect people. I've used a lot of ‘transies’ [translation apps] on the phone which gets in between people. This device is amazing," said Gray.

The buzz is not just attracting new customers. Existing clients are placing fresh orders. A South Korean buyer plans to order 5,000 units this year, and a long-term North American client is expected to make a purchase of 10,000 units.

One-on-one real-time interpretation has previously relied heavily on bilingual speakers. Simultaneous interpretation with earbuds requires accurate recognition of a wearer's voice, a challenge that Timekettle has been tackling with over half of its 100 employees specializing in acoustics and interpretation algorithms.

"We've developed a world-first algorithm that can identify voices based on direction and distance and collect them. By doing so, the translation will be more accurate," said Tian Li, founder of Timekettle.

To gather data from noisy environments and eliminate background noise, Timekettle’s research and development team has been testing the device in various settings around the city.

"The earbuds have tiny batteries, but the algorithm is complicated, so we've done extensive optimization to make the algorithm run smoothly on such small hardware," said Shi Wei, head of Timekettle's research and development team.

The team also collaborates with top-tier interpreters to shorten translation times. Zhao Chenwei, an interpreter with over 20 years of experience in Chinese-English simultaneous interpretation, expressed his enthusiasm for human-machine collaboration.

"How to use technology to improve efficiency and reduce costs is something that many talented young people with big ambitions are innovating for the future of the translation industry. As a veteran interpreter, I'm thrilled," said Zhao.

With an average team age of just 28, the startup holds over 100 global patents, and its translation earbuds are sold in more than 170 countries and regions, capturing a 40 percent market share in North America.

"I think that startups should solve problems we meet in life, which is also the value of a business. We have a clear path, now it's all about working hard to make it and see it through to the end," said Tian.

Translation earbuds made by Shenzhen start-up making 'big noises' on global market

Translation earbuds made by Shenzhen start-up become sought-after product at global market

A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.

Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.

In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.

"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.

Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.

In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.

"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.

By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.

After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.

"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.

Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.

As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.

Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media