Mobvoi’s TicNote Pods: More Than Just Headphones Amid Tech Innovation

The company Mobvoi has introduced the TicNote Pods, which it touts as the world’s first headphones for taking notes, featuring 4G support and artificial intelligence. These headphones are primarily geared towards work rather than music listening, although music playback is certainly possible. The main attraction is their ability to record conversations and then convert them into text, differentiating the speakers by voice. For this feature, artificial intelligence is employed.

Such capability can be extremely useful at various conferences, work meetings, calls, and so on. Importantly, microphones are located not only in the earbuds but also in the case. The case can function as a recorder even if the earbuds are not in use. Transcripts can be obtained in real-time, and the built-in 4G modem ensures you don’t have to worry about the availability of Wi-Fi or a nearby phone. Additionally, the headphones support real-time translation between multiple languages.

As for the technical aspects, each earbud contains a rectangular transducer measuring 20 by 8 mm. The 4G modem is housed within the case. The autonomy is stated to be 5 hours for the earbuds and 25 hours with the case for recording. In total, you can listen to music for up to 40 hours. The case also includes 32 GB of flash memory for recordings in case of no internet connection. Each earbud weighs 7 g and has IPx4 protection.

Currently, the project is live on Kickstarter, with deliveries expected to begin in January. The headphones cost from $200, but a subscription for access to the AI features and 4G is also required. In today’s tech landscape, devices like these could redefine the way professionals capture and utilize information. The increased reliance on virtual collaborations and multilingual settings highlights the growing need for such innovative solutions. However, the subscription model might pose a barrier to market acceptance, especially if customers perceive it as an additional burden.