AI startups are betting on earbuds as a new interface.

Startups at CES are adding AI features to earbuds, including meeting transcription and on-demand retrieval, and speech translation used in classrooms.

Startups are showcasing earbuds with built-in AI features at CES. They aim to expand headphones beyond music and calls. Some devices record meetings and can retrieve parts of conversations on request. Other makers focus on translation and cross-phone compatibility for classrooms and everyday use. Key points: - OSO plans earbuds that record meetings and retrieve conversation elements using everyday language. - Viaim offers similar meeting-assistant features and emphasizes interoperability across phone brands, with its CEO saying the devices work with multiple phones including iPhones in China. - Timekettle reports about 90 percent of its sales come from schools, where devices help non-English-speaking students follow lessons without a translator. - Major firms have added AI assistants and noise cancellation over recent years, and analysts note current AI functions often depend on the phone the earbuds are connected to; earbuds also face limits such as intermittent wear, voice-only interaction, and no camera. Summary: Startups are developing earbuds that add AI features such as transcription, retrieval, and translation, and several are demonstrating products at CES. Analysts say many functions rely on the connected phone and point to practical limits for earbuds as an all-day interface. Undetermined at this time.