Daily read · Gift ideas
Unusual tech Christmas gifts UK: are translator earbuds or a pixel art speaker a good present?
Two unusual tech Christmas gifts with a clear recipient: translator earbuds for someone with family abroad and a pixel art speaker for a creative desk.
Arun · Electronic Guru
Choose by the person, not the gadget: translator earbuds for someone bridging two languages, and a pixel art speaker for someone who likes to make their desk their own.
Looking for unusual tech Christmas gifts in the UK that aren't just another pair of headphones? Translator earbuds suit someone with family or a partner who speaks another language, and a pixel art speaker suits a creative teen or retro gamer who would enjoy designing their own desk gadget. Here is what each one does, according to the makers.
For someone with family abroad: translator earbuds
The surprising part of the Timekettle M3 Language Translator Earbuds is that you hand one earbud to the other person. In Timekettle's Touch mode you each wear one earbud and tap to speak, Listen mode translates a talk or lecture into your ear, and Speaker mode lets you keep one earbud in while your phone speaks for quick chats such as asking directions.
Timekettle says the M3 covers 43 languages online, but offline translation is limited to 13 language pairs, such as English with French, Spanish, German or Japanese, downloaded using the Fish Card in the offline version. It needs the Timekettle app on a phone.
Timekettle's own comparison also says the M3 does not translate both people simultaneously; its pricier W4 does.
For a creative teen or retro gamer: a pixel art speaker
The Divoom Timebox Evo is a Bluetooth speaker whose front is a 16x16 grid of 256 colour LEDs. Divoom says you can draw your own pixel art in its app and watch it appear on the speaker, browse other people's designs, or set animated clock faces and a music visualiser.
Divoom also lists an alarm clock, a nature-sound sleep aid, notifications, weather and mini games. With a single 6W driver, it is a desk companion rather than a party speaker.
Before you wrap it
Both gifts lean on an app, so check the recipient's phone first. If you would rather buy from a shop near you, compare the online listing, then ask a local electronics retailer through PriceHaggle whether they can offer something similar.
Quick questions
Do the M3 earbuds work without internet? Only for 13 offline language pairs, once the packs are downloaded in the app.
Can you play music on them? Yes, Timekettle says they also work as Bluetooth earbuds for music and calls.
Can you design your own picture on the Timebox Evo? Yes, Divoom says pixel art drawn in its app shows on the speaker in real time.
Save yourself a surprise
Your quick buying checklist
- Confirm the recipient's phone can run the maker's app before buying either gift.
- For translator earbuds, check their language pair is on the offline list if they will travel without data.
- Make sure the listing is the exact version you want, such as the M3 with the offline package.
References & editorial notes
This content is based on the sources listed below.
AI-generated information drawn from public sources. Not to be treated as any form of advice. Check details with the retailer before buying.