TL;DR
Voice AI startup Subtle introduced a $199 pair of wireless earbuds that pair with an iOS and Mac app for hands-free voice notes and AI chat. The company says the buds use its noise-isolation models to improve transcription and let users dictate into any app on desktop or phone.
What happened
Subtle unveiled new wireless earbuds it calls Voicebuds ahead of CES, billing them as hardware that pairs with the startup’s voice-isolation models to produce clearer audio for calls and transcriptions. Priced at $199, the buds will ship in the U.S. within the next few months and include a one-year subscription to Subtle’s iOS and Mac app. The companion app is designed to capture voice notes and support AI chat without manual input, and Subtle says the earbuds use a chip capable of waking an iPhone while it is locked. In demonstrations reported by TechCrunch, the earbuds captured speech in noisy surroundings and recorded a whispered voice note. Subtle also says the Voicebuds let users dictate into any application on desktop or phone and claims lower transcription error rates compared with AirPods Pro 3 using OpenAI’s transcription model. Pre-orders are open on the company’s site and the company has previously worked with firms such as Qualcomm and Nothing.
Why it matters
- If accurate, better noise isolation could make voice interfaces viable in public or noisy spaces where users currently avoid speaking aloud.
- Bundling hardware with an app and AI features aims to combine note-taking, dictation and chat functionality in a single product.
- A wake-capable chip for locked phones could streamline hands-free workflows but raises platform-integration questions.
- Claims of substantially lower transcription errors would affect competitive positioning against mainstream earbuds and third-party dictation tools.
Key facts
- Price: $199 for the earbuds.
- U.S. shipping window: planned to ship in the next few months.
- Includes a one-year subscription to Subtle’s iOS and Mac app.
- App functions: take voice notes and chat with AI without pressing keys, per the company.
- Hardware includes a chip Subtle says can wake an iPhone while it is locked.
- Company claims the buds allow dictation into any app on desktop or phone.
- Subtle asserted the earbuds produce five times fewer transcription errors than AirPods Pro 3 paired with OpenAI’s transcription model.
- In a TechCrunch demo, the buds captured audio in noisy environments and recorded a whispered voice note.
- Pre-orders are available on Subtle’s website.
- Subtle has raised $6 million to date and has worked with companies including Qualcomm and Nothing to deploy its models.
What to watch next
- Exact U.S. ship date for pre-orders: not confirmed in the source.
- Independent benchmark testing of the company’s error-rate claims versus AirPods Pro 3 and other systems: not confirmed in the source.
- Availability and pricing outside the U.S.: not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- Noise isolation / noise cancellation: Audio processing techniques and hardware features designed to reduce background sounds so speech or music is clearer to the listener or recorder.
- Transcription model: A machine-learning system that converts spoken language in audio into written text.
- Wake-on-voice / wake-capable chip: Hardware or firmware that listens for a wake signal while a device is locked or in low-power mode, allowing hands-free activation.
- Voice interface: A user interface that accepts spoken input and often provides responses or actions via speech or text, enabling hands-free interaction.
Reader FAQ
When will the Voicebuds ship?
Subtle plans to ship the earbuds in the U.S. in the next few months.
How much do the earbuds cost and what’s included?
They are priced at $199 and include a one-year subscription to Subtle’s iOS and Mac app.
Are the accuracy claims independently verified?
Not confirmed in the source.
Do the earbuds support Android devices?
Not confirmed in the source.
What colors are available?
Not confirmed in the source.
Voice AI startup Subtle, which creates voice isolation models to have computers understand you better in loud environments, today launched a new pair of wireless earbuds that help users sound…
Sources
- Subtle releases ear buds with its noise cancelation models
- Subtle Computing Launches Device-Tailored Voice Isolation
- New AI headset filters crowd noise and boosts speech clarity
- Introducing World Religions – 912 Freedom Library
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