A new AI-powered translation device priced at $190 is facing scrutiny over its core functionality, as an investigation suggests the gadget may not contain a microphone and relies entirely on a connected smartphone to operate. The product, called the InnAIO T10, is marketed as a portable translator but appears to function primarily as a remote control for a mobile application.
Key Takeaways
- The InnAIO T10, a $190 AI translator, has been found to lack an internal microphone, depending entirely on a smartphone's mic.
- The device does not function without a companion app open on a nearby phone, raising questions about its on-device processing capabilities.
- In communications, a representative for the company asked that a negative review not be published.
- Despite marketing showing users speaking into the device, it is essentially a Bluetooth button that activates an app.
A New Entrant in a Troubled Market
The market for standalone AI gadgets has seen high-profile failures, such as the Humane Ai Pin, which struggled to deliver on its promises despite a high price point. Against this backdrop, new devices are met with both interest and skepticism. The InnAIO T10 entered this space as a magnetic puck-like device designed to attach to a phone.
The company promotes the T10 as a powerful translator capable of supporting 130 languages and even cloning the user's voice for more natural-sounding translations. It claims to use advanced AI models from OpenAI and Meta. On the surface, the app-based translation and voice cloning features appear to work as described.
However, significant concerns emerged during testing. A representative for InnAIO, in an email exchange, requested that if the experience with the product was not positive, the review should not be published. This unusual request prompted a deeper look into the device's actual hardware and software integration.
The AI Gadget Landscape
The consumer technology sector has recently seen a surge in AI-centric hardware. Products like the Humane Ai Pin and the Rabbit R1 aimed to create a new category of devices, but have so far failed to gain significant traction or prove their utility over modern smartphones. This history of over-promising and under-delivering has created a cautious environment for new products.
Is the Device Actually Listening?
The primary function of a translator is to capture speech. An investigation into the T10 revealed that the device itself may not be capable of this. During tests, the T10 only captured audio when the connected smartphone was nearby and its microphone was unobstructed.
Several tests confirmed this dependency:
- Walking away from the phone while staying within Bluetooth range resulted in the T10 failing to pick up any sound.
- Speaking directly into the T10 while the phone's microphone was covered also resulted in no audio capture.
- Revoking the companion app's microphone permissions on the phone rendered the T10 completely non-functional, with the app displaying a prompt to re-enable mic access.
A representative for InnAIO later confirmed that the device does not have a microphone. This contradicts marketing materials that show users holding the puck to their mouths or placing it on a table between speakers, implying it is the primary audio-capturing device.
Just a Button?
With no microphone and no standalone functionality, the $190 InnAIO T10's primary function appears to be activating translation features within a smartphone app. This makes it, in essence, an expensive Bluetooth-enabled button.
Questions About On-Device Processing
The lack of a microphone also raises serious questions about where the AI processing occurs. Legitimate AI translators, such as the Timekettle X1, offer offline capabilities, which serves as proof that computations are happening on the device itself. The T10 has no such offline mode.
InnAIO has not explicitly stated that processing happens on the device. A company representative described the T10's strength as enabling "cross-application translation, which is initiated directly through the device." This wording carefully avoids claims of on-device AI, suggesting the puck only sends a signal to the phone, which then uses its own hardware and internet connection to perform the translation via the cloud.
"An update rolling out at the end of December will expand offline translation capabilities, allowing users to translate directly within the app even when an internet connection is unavailable," a representative stated. However, this update has not yet been released.
Misleading Marketing and Consumer Trust
The discrepancy between the T10's marketing and its actual capabilities is a significant issue. Promotional images imply a standalone device that can be used independently to capture conversations. The reality is a complete dependence on a smartphone for every core function, including audio input and processing.
This situation highlights a growing problem in the AI hardware space where bold claims are not always backed by functional technology. Consumers are left to navigate a field where it is difficult to distinguish genuine innovation from products that are little more than accessories for existing technology.
For now, anyone in need of translation services can achieve the same, if not better, results using free applications like Google Translate on their existing smartphone. The T10, in its current state, does not appear to offer any technological advantage that justifies its $190 price tag.