Timekettle Fluentalk T1 Translator Review

While traveling is supposed to be relaxing, it isn’t always. It can sometimes be so stressful that you return home even more frazzled than you were before your vacation, especially if traveling internationally. Language barriers certainly increase that stress, but you can eliminate that stress with a Timekettle Fluentalk T1 Translator. Find out more about this mobile translator and how it can help in this review.

This is a sponsored article and was made possible by Timekettle. The actual contents and opinions are the sole views of the author, who maintains editorial independence, even when a post is sponsored.

Fluentalk T1 Translator Features

Timekettle developed the Fluentalk T1 Translator for natural and highly-efficient conversations between people who speak different languages. Yet, it also includes other features that could help with travel, such as built-in global mobile data and currency exchange rates.

The Fluentalk T1 features include:

• Support of online and offline translation: 40 languages and 93 dialects are supported in online translation, while 8 languages are supported in offline translation.
• Global mobile connection: up to two years of free mobile data when connecting to more than 200 wireless networks is built in.
• Instant photo translation: an OCR offline translation engine works with an 8 MP rear camera to instantly translate text on photos.
• Streaming ASR Technology: can translate speech in real time, similar in idea to subtitles.
• High translation accuracy: built-in mic array with noise reduction to isolate voices from background noise.
• World clock and currency: quickly check the current time anywhere in the world as well as international currency rates.
• High-performance CPU: computer-grade 12nm high-performance quad-core CPU with a computing power of 1.2GHz.
• Compact size: 2.32 x 0.43 x 4.61 inches and 11.9 ounces with a 4-inch screen.

Unboxing

The Timekettle Fluentalk T1 Translator is very compact and has so many features that you don’t need anything other than what’s included in the box, save for an optional nano-SIM card.

Included in the box are:

• Fluentalk T1 Translator
• USB-A to USB-C charging cord
• Lanyard
• Manual
• Slot pin

My only complaint here is that the manual is not complete. It does not include enough information about how to use the translator. It says to refer to the User Guide for more information, yet it includes no directions on where to find that. All I could find online was the digital copy of the printed manual.

It turns out that the User Guide is on the device itself. But you wouldn’t know that, as there is nothing to tell you that there are other menus on the device.

Fluentalk T1 Translator Setup

The Timekettle Fluentalk T1 Translator works via the included two-year data plan on the e-SIM, Wi-Fi, or a nano-SIM. The nano-SIM is optional and can be purchased on your own. A slot pin is included to help you open the slot to insert it.

You only need a nano-SIM to operate the translator if you want to use the device as a hotspot.

There is minimal setup. After charging (with the provided cord plugged in to the USB-C port on the bottom), it’s really just choosing your location and language and setting up Wi-Fi, if desired. Click the power button (yellow) to turn it on.

Do the same to turn it off. If you do a long-press on the button, you’ll have the options to power it off, restart, or SOS. The latter will alert authorities that you need help. As I’m located in the U.S., the device automatically set my SOS as 9-1-1 for alarm, emergency, and fire.

After choosing your desired language, the device presents you with a welcome screen in your language, then the home screen. The default is to translate to Chinese, but this can easily be changed by tapping “Chinese,” and choosing one of many languages and dialects.

Timekettle calls them accents, but they are more accurately described as dialects. I chose Spanish – Puerto Rico, as I will be stopping there on a cruise in January.

Scroll down from the top to reach the connection settings: Wi-Fi, Transfer, Airplane Mode, and Bluetooth. If you scroll down one more itme, you will reach the button to turn the flashlight on/off.

It’s not clear when you would use Bluetooth, as Timekettle does not advise connecting headphones via Bluetooth.

While the Fluentalk T1 Translator has the e-SIM built in, you can also sign in to your own Wi-Fi. Scroll to the right to find “Settings” and other functions.

Select “Network and Connection” to set up the Wi-Fi connection (WLAN).

Using the Fluentalk T1 Translator

Timekettle seems to have covered every possible way you would want to translate on the Fluentalk T1 Translator.

The easiest and quickest way to translate is through One Click Translation. Either tap on it in the bottom-left corner of the homescreen or tap on the red and blue buttons on the right side. If you want to translate your words, click the red button. Click the blue button to translate the other language.

If you’d like to do offline translation, you need to download the language pair ahead of time. To view a record of your translations, pull downward on your most recent translations. Click any of them to hear it read out loud.

If you find it difficult to translate on the spot or want to take your time, you can pre-plan what you want to say and translate it beforehand, then have it handy to show someone who can provide an answer with the “Ask for Directions” feature.

If you’re listening to a speech and wish to translate and read it later, use “Spectator Mode.” You can also leave a “Voice Memo” for yourself for later on.

Most helpful could be the “Chat Translation” feature. Set the Fluentalk T1 Translator in the middle of you and the other person in the conversation, set it to this mode, hit the start button, and the two of you can speak freely while the translator does its thing.

Also helpful when traveling is being able to translate written words, whether it’s a street sign, flyer, directions, etc., with “Photo Translation.” Choose the function on the homescreen, then take a photo of the words, just as you would with your smartphone.

It took a few tries for me to find something easily translated, but that was me using things around the house and not while traveling. The above is a translation of a printed Black Friday ad I received in the mail.

If you scroll to the right of the homescreen, you will find other travel help, such as world clocks and currency exchange rates. It includes the clocks for Tokyo and Washington and the exchange rate from the U.S. dollar to the Japanese Yen, but the clock for Washington is wrong. It says it’s two hours ahead of me, but I’m located in the Chicago area, so it’s only one hour ahead.

Final Thoughts

Hands down, when I travel internationally, the Timekettle Fluentalk T1 Translator is a device I want to have. It will help me translate, and I can use it as a hotspot for other devices.

There are a few things left unanswered, but even in the few days of my review process, Timekettle updated the system on the device, so I know they are continuing to improve the system and functions. If they could update the manual and user guide to explain more fully how to use the Fluentalk T1, it would be a slam dunk.

You can pick up the Fluentalk T1 for $299 normally, but for Black Friday, a discount of up to 30% is being offered.