The Waverly Labs Pilot is a legacy translation earbud, not a translation device you can use today: Waverly Labs says its translation software was shut off in April 2024, the app was removed from the app store, and existing owners lost access to translation. The company says the earbuds still support music streaming and other functionality, but its support collection lists Pilot Smart Earbuds as sold out.
This review explains what the Pilot was designed to do, what historical testing found, and what its current status means for anyone considering one. Do not buy or rely on a used Pilot for translation; a marketplace listing, if you find one, does not establish that the translation service works.
Current status: Pilot translation no longer works
In its May 14, 2024 support notice, “Why are my Pilot Smart Earbuds no longer functional?”, Waverly Labs stated: “While the earbuds will still support music streaming and other functionality, the language software has been shut off, and the app has been removed from the app store.” That company notice is the decisive caveat for owners and prospective buyers.
Waverly Labs’ support collection lists Pilot Smart Earbuds as sold out. The dossier does not verify current marketplace inventory, the condition of any used set, or sellers’ claims. Even if the hardware is available secondhand, the discontinued app and translation service mean it should not be treated as a usable translation product.
#1 Best Overall
- WORLD’S BEST IN-EAR ACTIVE NOISE CANCELLATION — Removes up to 2x more unwanted noise than AirPods Pro 2* so you can stay fully immersed in the moment.*
- BREAKTHROUGH AUDIO PERFORMANCE — Experience breathtaking, three-dimensional audio with AirPods Pro 3. A new acoustic architecture delivers transformed bass, detailed clarity so you can hear every instrument, and stunningly vivid vocals.
- HEART RATE SENSING — Built-in heart rate sensing lets you track your heart rate and calories burned for up to 50 different workout types.* With iPhone, you will have access to the Move ring, step count, and the new Workout Buddy,* powered by Apple Intelligence.*
- LIVE TRANSLATION — Communicate across language barriers using Live Translation,* enabled by Apple Intelligence.*
- EXTENDED BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 8 hours of listening time with Active Noise Cancellation on a single charge. Or up to 10 hours in Transparency using the Hearing Aid feature.*
What the Pilot was designed to do
The Pilot was designed to send speech captured by its earpieces to a cloud translation engine. Waverly Labs’ documentation described two modes, Listen and Converse. These are historical descriptions of the product, not functions available through the discontinued translation service.
Listen mode
In the former Listen mode, the system was intended to interpret the user’s speech or nearby speech into a selected language. Waverly Labs’ beta tips said it worked best within three feet of the speaker, handled one language at a time, and was not suited to noisy settings or multiple speakers. The company also documented a Bluetooth limitation that allowed only one earpiece in this mode.
Converse mode
Converse was designed for a conversation in which both participants had smartphones with the Pilot Speech Translator app installed. The published instructions also described sharing an earpiece. These setup instructions do not mean Converse remains available: the translation app and service have been discontinued.
What historical testing found
Wareable’s original-era review reported that the Pilot’s translations were more reliable in a quiet kitchen than in a noisy bar with background chatter. The reviewer observed a delay of about two or three seconds after a speaker stopped and found that grammar and verb tenses could be lost in readouts. In that reviewer’s trials, people speaking their native language tended to work better.
Rank #2
- Real-Time Adaptive Noise Cancelling: Advanced ANC reduces noise by up to 52 dB. Adaptive technology detects your surroundings and automatically chooses the best noise-cancelling level for you
- Hi-Res Certified Sound with LDAC: Experience stunning, lossless Hi-Fi audio. Powered by LDAC, and Hi-Res Audio, these noise-cancelling earbuds reproduce musical nuances, delivering rich, well-balanced treble and bass.
- Real-Time 100+ AI Translation: Communicate effortlessly in over 100 languages. AI instantly translates speech with high accuracy, keeping conversations smooth and natural.
- 6 AI-Enhanced Mics for Clear Calls: Six microphones work with an AI noise reduction algorithm to separate your voice from background noise. The wind-noise reduction algorithm keeps calls clear even outdoors.
- Ultra-Long Playtime & Fast Charging: Enjoy up to 10 hours of playtime on a single charge (50 hours with the case). Even with ANC on, get 8 hours per charge and 40 hours total. A quick 10-minute charge gives 3.5 hours of listening.
Those are historical review observations, not results from a current test. They describe limitations of the Pilot at the time of that review and should not be read as a present-day performance assessment or a guarantee that translation is available.
Should you buy or keep a Pilot?
If you are looking for translation earbuds, do not choose the Pilot on the assumption that its translation features still work. The translation service has ended, the app was removed, and Waverly Labs lists the product as sold out. A used set may still provide music streaming or other non-translation functionality, as the company states, but the dossier does not establish the condition or capabilities of a particular listing.
Existing owners can regard the Pilot as legacy audio hardware, but should not rely on it for language interpretation. Waverly Labs points people seeking interpretation software toward Forum, which the company describes for lectures, meetings, events, and experiences. The available information does not establish Forum as a direct consumer-earbud replacement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.FAQ
Does it work offline?
No current Pilot translation service is available online or offline: Waverly Labs says the language software was shut off and the app was removed in April 2024. Historical product FAQs do not establish current service availability.
Rank #3
- 【𝟏𝟗𝟖 𝐋𝐚𝐧𝐠𝐮𝐚𝐠𝐞𝐬 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐥-𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 𝟐-𝐖𝐚𝐲 𝐀𝐈 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧】 Break language barriers with AI translation earbuds supporting real-time two-way translation across 198 languages. Easily communicate during international travel, business meetings, overseas communication, and language learning. The companion app provides fast and reliable multilingual conversations, making communication simple and convenient wherever you go.
- 【𝐁𝐥𝐮𝐞𝐭𝐨𝐨𝐭𝐡 𝟔.𝟏 𝐎𝐩𝐞𝐧-𝐄𝐚𝐫 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐭】 Designed with an ergonomic open-ear structure, each earbud weighs only about 8g for comfortable all-day wear. The lightweight design lets you enjoy music while staying aware of your surroundings, making it ideal for commuting, travel, office work, and outdoor activities. Soft silicone ear hooks provide a secure fit, while the IPX7 waterproof rating helps resist sweat and splashes.
- 【𝟒-𝐢𝐧-𝟏 𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐃𝐞𝐬𝐢𝐠𝐧 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐌𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐢𝐩𝐥𝐞 𝐓𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐬𝐥𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐬】 These wireless earbuds combine AI translation, Bluetooth music, hands-free calling, and smart app functions in one compact device. Multiple translation modes, including Face-to-Face Translation, Voice Call Translation, Video Call Translation, Simultaneous Interpretation, and Recording Translation, provide flexible communication solutions for work, travel, meetings, and everyday conversations.
- 【𝐒𝐦𝐚𝐫𝐭 𝐓𝐨𝐮𝐜𝐡𝐬𝐜𝐫𝐞𝐞𝐧 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐫𝐨𝐥 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐩𝐩 𝐅𝐮𝐧𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬】 The built-in color touchscreen lets you control music playback, answer or end calls, adjust volume, and manage Bluetooth settings with ease. Through the companion app, you can switch languages, customize wallpapers, adjust screen brightness, locate your earbuds, and enjoy additional smart features for a more convenient user experience.
- 【𝟔𝟎𝐇 𝐒𝐭𝐚𝐧𝐝𝐛𝐲 𝐁𝐚𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐲 & 𝐇𝐢-𝐅𝐢 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝟓 𝐄𝐐 𝐌𝐨𝐝𝐞𝐬】 Enjoy up to 8 hours of playback and up to 60 hours of standby time with the portable charging case. Equipped with 14.2mm bio-carbon fiber dynamic drivers and Bluetooth 6.1 technology, these earbuds deliver rich bass, clear vocals, and detailed highs. Five EQ modes let you customize your listening experience for music, calls, travel, work, and everyday use.
What languages are supported?
The Pilot’s former translation service is discontinued, so its historical language support does not provide a usable current translation feature. The dossier does not establish a current supported-language list for the Pilot.
How fast are the translations?
There are no current Pilot translations to measure. In Wareable’s historical review, the reviewer reported a delay of about two or three seconds after a speaker stopped; that observation is not a current performance test.
Can I still buy the Waverly Labs Pilot?
Waverly Labs’ support collection lists Pilot Smart Earbuds as sold out. A secondhand listing may exist, but its availability, condition, and seller claims have not been verified; translation does not work through the discontinued service.
Quick Recap
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