Bridging Languages, Connecting Lives: Interview with Kevin Roberts
Editor's Note: At Timekettle, we believe that true technological innovation should serve understanding and connection between people. Today, we're honored to speak with Kevin Roberts, a dedicated Timekettle user living in a multilingual community in Spain. From the original T1 to the latest New T1, his personal journey shows how translation technology can transform daily life when it truly integrates into your routine.
Chapter One: Living in a Multilingual Environment
Timekettle (TK): Kevin, thank you so much for joining us. First, could you tell us about the background that made you feel a strong need for a translation device?
Kevin Roberts (KR): Where I live is a real melting pot. The main languages are English and Spanish, but there are also people speaking Dutch, French, Czech, and other European languages around me. From daily shopping to helping neighbors to dealing with government offices, switching languages is just part of life. Before I had any Timekettle products, I used Google Translate, which proved to be only mildly useful. It was slow and notoriously inaccurate.
TK: Could you share a memorable "fail" experience?
KR: I remembered that when I was trying to buy bus tickets in Spain. The person behind the desk didn't speak English, and for some reason Google couldn't understand either of us—I think it was a bad phone signal. Luckily, another person waiting for tickets jumped in and translated for me. That's when I realized how unreliable phone-based, one-off translation can be in critical moments.
TK: How did you discover Timekettle?
KR: My first encounter with Timekettle products was an advert on Google. I thought it looked interesting, so I did lots of research and watched lots of videos. I also saw other devices on YouTube, I realized that what I really wanted was a device I could use without needing my phone—and Timekettle filled that bill perfectly.
Chapter Two: More Than a Translation Tool
TK: You mentioned wearing the T1 almost 24/7? Looks like it's become more than just a translation device. Could you describe to us how it’s become part of every aspect of your life?
KR: I literally take the T1 with me everywhere—to the doctors, to hospital, to the shops, to the garage, even to neighbors' houses. Sometimes my neighbors can't find the right English words, so I'll switch the T1 to their language. It helps them understand what I'm saying and it helps me understand them too. They've all been very impressed with it.
TK: Are there any particular experiences that stand out to you—moments where the T1 really made a difference?
KR: I was in the hospital undergoing a gamma-ray scan.There was another translation device there, which was clearly very cheap, very inaccurate, and very slow. I managed to understand basically what it was saying and I replied with my T1, which was fast. In the end, the person using that device said he's going to buy a T1—I don't blame him.
TK: We heard you discovered some very creative ways to use T1. Could you share that?
KR: Yes. My T1 is on 24 hours a day. I only charge it occasionally, and I need it to be switched on because what happens if I get a phone call—the first thing I say is "Un momento por favor" or "please wait a moment." I then use my T1 to tell the person from the hospital that I'm going to use a translator. I then put my T1 close to the speaker on my telephone and use the T1 to tell them I'm using a translator and to please talk slowly and allow me a second between each interaction. I know this isn't an official phone translation feature, but the T1 is sensitive enough to pick up the audio clearly and respond quickly, which has allowed me to develop this practical workaround for urgent situations.
This has helped me when they've called me to say I have a doctor's appointment or hospital appointment. In Spain they'll say "okay you have an appointment"—they'll ring up and there's nobody around me who speaks Spanish. I could miss an appointment, but with the T1 holding it to the phone which is on speaker mode, I've never missed anything. It really puts my mind at ease.
On one occasion before I had the T1, I was running up and down the street trying to find somebody who spoke Spanish and English—it was difficult, nobody did. So in the end I just said to them "send me a text." Luckily I made that appointment, but it was very, very stressful. Thankfully, the stress levels between languages now has reduced greatly.
The New T1 hasn't just made things easier; it's taken away that constant anxiety. When I was in the hospital, having a reliable translator wasn't just convenient—it was critical. I honestly don't know how I would have managed without it. It saved my life in hospital.
TK: It's amazing to see how you've adapted the T1 to solve problems we never even designed it for. What about other moments—have there been any times where things didn't go quite as smoothly?
KR: Well, the funniest time that I ever used the T1 was at the dentist. When I arrived it was great and I managed to get my treatment booked. Once sat in the chair, having a nice chat with the Spanish dentist—no problems whatsoever. But then once my mouth was filled with all kinds of equipment, the dentist asked me a question. I just laughed. I don't know what I said, but the T1 completely misheard me—which is not surprising because I didn't understand myself either. It's difficult to speak any language when you have your mouth wide open and all kinds of equipment stuck in there.
The dentist saw the funny side as well. After treatment she asked me all about the T1, wrote down the details and said she was going to get one as she had patients from all over Europe. Some less-than-perfect experiences are inevitable in certain situations, but they also reflect the most authentic user experiences and real-world pain points.
Chapter Three: From T1 to New T1 & Thoughts from a Passionate User
TK: We know you're a long-time user. Could you share your experience with the first-generation T1, and what made you decide to upgrade to the New T1 without hesitation?
KR: I have had both versions of the T1 since launch. Before that I used the older T1 which I passed on to my partner. When I received an email from you about the new T1, I didn't hesitate—I ordered it immediately. Straight away I realized it was a far superior product. The old one was still very good, but the new one is much faster.
TK: In your view, what are the key advantages of the New T1?
KR: The key advantages are the built-in SIM, the camera, the build quality, and in my mind the reputation you have. I've used your customer service in the past and found it excellent.
TK: As such an enthusiastic user, do you have any thoughts or hopes for future Timekettle products?
KR: Overall, the T1 is absolutely superb and I can't recommend it highly enough. There are just a few small things I sometimes miss. The return of the single button would be fantastic—on the old T1 Mini, having a single button that could recognize the language made it much quicker. I do miss that.
TK: Anything else?
KR: The built-in microphones pick up sound very well, but in some situations—especially in traffic—I do struggle. I usually just wait for the car to pass before continuing.
Another point is the display: when I turn the T1 toward the other person, their translated text appears large and bold, which is easy to read. On my side, however, the text is smaller as I read while speaking. In bright outdoor light, this can sometimes be a bit difficult.
I also like to double-check what I’m saying before letting the device translate, just to make sure everything is accurate.
Chapter Four: Taking It to the Stage, Bringing It to the Neighborhood
TK: You mentioned recommending the New T1 to many people around you, and some even decided to buy it because of you. Could you share those stories?
KR: After the fiesta where I introduced the T1 to over 300 people on stage, I had a number of attendees come and ask me questions about it. That feeling of seeing language barriers break down in front of a crowd—it's hard to put into words.
TK: That's wonderful to hear. Finally, what else would you like to share with our users and readers?
KR: I'm just an ordinary guy who happens to live in a place where lots of languages come together. The New T1 gave me a kind of confidence I didn't have before—the confidence that I can handle whatever comes up, no matter what language it's in. If someone wants to argue about whether it works, I'm more than happy to show them—in real life, in real situations. I think that's the only test that really matters.
I even filmed a few real-life usage scenarios and would like to share. I've also got the W4—they're beautiful—and I will do a video about them. I love finding new ways of using products.
Editor's Closing Note
Listening to stories like this reminds us why Timekettle exists in the first place.
Technology is often measured by specifications, algorithms, or performance metrics. But for us, the true value of translation technology is found in everyday moments: understanding a doctor's instructions, speaking with a neighbor, making an appointment without anxiety, or simply feeling confident enough to start a conversation with someone who speaks a different language.
What moved us most about this story is not how many languages the T1 can translate, but how naturally it became part of one person's life. When we heard our user say that the T1 "saved his life" in the hospital, we felt a mix of emotions—deeply humbled and moved, but also a little unsettled. Because while we design our products with the highest standards of reliability, we never take for granted the responsibility that comes with it. Knowing that someone entrusted their well-being to our device in a critical moment is both a privilege and a reminder of how much we must continue to improve.
That sense of responsibility drives everything we do. Every workaround, every suggestion, and every piece of feedback helps us continue building products that serve real human needs.
As our mission says, we strive to help people connect beyond words.
