Pros
– Lightweight and easy to carry
– Easy to set up and easy to use
– Comes with a camera to translate texts in photos
– Single-button voice translate
Cons
– Needs more offline languages
– Mic picks up a lot of noise
– Image translations could have done with a better UI
In a world where your smartphone has all sorts of translation apps and services, a standalone translator device may not make much sense at first.
However, anyone who has travelled a lot will tell you that you often find yourself in places where data connectivity simply doesn’t work. Even in some of the most touristy destinations on the planet, data connectivity or public WiFi for that matter, isn’t exactly as ubiquitous, as one would think. Moreover, in many countries, getting access to a SIM isn’t exactly easy, and certainly not cheap.
And believe it or not, Google’s services like Translate or even Maps, aren’t available everywhere. That’s where a device like the Fluentalk T1 Mini Translator Device comes into play.
The Fluentalk T1 Mini is a pocket-sized wonder, designed to do one thing, and one thing only — to translate. Timekettle, the people behind the Fluentalk T1 Mini want it to be the go-to device for travellers of all ages, whether you’re a business professional on a business trip, an adventurous backpacker exploring some of the remotest destinations, or simply enjoying a cruise.
What sets this device apart is its ability to handle a wide array of languages, making it indispensable for anyone travelling to countries or regions where their native tongue is not spoken.
Timekettle Fluentalk T1 Mini Translator Device Review: Design and build quality
The Fleuntalk T1 mini is a compact device that easily slips into your pocket, and can even be worn around your neck using the included lanyard. Moreover, because it is very light and practically weighs nothing, you might even forget that you’re carrying it around your neck.
You get a pretty decent-looking 2.8-inch HD display that makes using the device and navigating around the menus a lot easier. Speaking of the menus, you get a layout that is fairly intuitive and easy to navigate. The set-up process is also very easy and quick.
As for button and port placements, you get to see the power button right at the top of the device, along with a mic and speaker grill. At the bottom, you get a secondary mic, the lanyard point, and a USB-C charging point, which is a pretty neat touch. We love the fact that we get a USB-C port instead of a micro-USB or any other proprietary charging point as that would have made the device far less practical.
On the left, you have your volume buttons, and on the right, a voice translation button. You also get a 5MP camera at the back to take photos of texts and get them translated.
The Timekettle Fluentalk T1 Mini comes with a Quad-core ARM processor, 1GB of RAM, and 8GB of storage, and is powered by a 1500mAh rechargeable battery. You also get a built-in SIM which supports 4G LTE data.
As for battery and battery life, the T1 Mini comes with a 1500mAh battery. If you use it offline, you can easily get about 6-7 days of usage before needing to plug it in. However, if you use it over WiFi or SIM data, you will get about 4 days of usage.
Timekettle Fluentalk T1 Mini Translator Device Review: Functionality and usability
This device’s translation abilities are really impressive. In my testing, I tried out three language pairs: English to Hindi, English to French, and English to Bengali, and I must say, the device performed admirably. The translations were not only fast but also surprisingly accurate. Do note that when using voice translations, you need to be crystal clear. In total, the Fluentalk T1 Mini supports 36 languages as well as 88 dialects.
In addition to voice translation, the Fluentalk T1 Mini also comes with a 5-megapixel rear camera. It’s not designed for photography, but it does a decent job of capturing readable images for translation. The translation quality from photos matched that of spoken translations, making it a versatile tool for translating menus, signs, or documents.
Getting started is a breeze. There’s a small button on top to power up the device, and another on the side to activate recording. This one-button setup simplifies the process, so you can focus on the conversation instead of struggling with complex settings or multiple buttons. There’s still a short wait for the translation, but it’s just a matter of seconds.
One of the standout features of the Fluentalk T1 Mini is the offer of 1-year free global data coverage. This means you can communicate effectively in different countries without worrying about finding a WiFi connection.
For the most accurate translations, you’ll want to use a data connection. While this isn’t a smartphone, it relies on mobile data to connect to translation servers for the best results.
Having said that, This device comes with 13 offline languages that work almost as smoothly as the online versions. I’ve personally downloaded the English to French and vice versa offline, and they worked perfectly. You can download up to 4 such pairs, which seem more than what one would realistically need at any given time.
Timekettle Fluentalk T1 Mini Translator Device Review: Verdict
Imagine the convenience of having a reliable translator in your pocket as you navigate through unfamiliar territories. The Fluentalk T1 Mini does what it advertises, and does it in a rather seamless manner.
The fact that it has a camera that can be used to take photos and have those translated, is a nice touch. And the fact that users are allowed to download certain language pairs, is a nifty bonus. The fact that you can take photos of maps, menus and signages and have them in your preferred language is a huge deal, especially when you don’t have access to services like Google Maps or Google Translate.
In a world where borders are blurring and cultures are merging, the Fluentalk T1 Mini Translator Device by Timekettle stands as a pretty nifty tool for global travellers. Yes, there are tons and tons of apps that can do most of what the Fluentalk T1 Mini does. However, they do have their own share of limitations, which can be very frustrating at times. Moreover, those services can often be janky and inaccurate, especially when it comes to voice translations.
The Fluentalk T1 Mini in this regard stands out and should find a place in the travelling kits of anyone who has collected tens of thousands of airline miles, and who often goes to places where they speak don’t speak the language.
