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Whisper Your Commands: New Earbuds Hear the Unheard
5 Jan
Summary
- New Voicebuds allow silent dictation and command input.
- They filter out noisy environments for clearer voice commands.
- Voicebuds cost $199 with a subscription for premium features.
At CES 2026, startup Subtle is launching Voicebuds, wireless earbuds designed to revolutionize voice input. These earbuds utilize a custom AI model that allows users to dictate text and issue commands in near silence, even in loud environments. Voicebuds also feature advanced noise filtering, preventing the need to shout commands in busy or noisy settings.
Subtle claims their Voicebuds deliver significantly fewer transcription errors than Apple's AirPods Pro 3 with OpenAI. The earbuds are priced at $199, comparable to Apple's premium offerings. While a subscription to the Subtle iOS app unlocks premium features like instant dictation, a year's access is included with purchase, after which it costs $17 per month.
Despite the potential advantages in transcription accuracy, the long-term appeal will depend on Subtle's ability to match the audio quality and active noise cancellation of established brands like Apple and Sony. Voicebuds will integrate their own AI assistant, though they won't support Apple's 'Hey, Siri' command.
