Subtle Unveils AI-Powered Voicebuds for Whisper Dictation

At CES 2026, the startup Subtle unveiled Voicebuds, a new solution for voice dictation in challenging environments. These wireless earbuds feature a custom AI model designed to transcribe text spoken below a whisper. Additionally, the technology filters out loud background noise, allowing users to dictate commands without shouting.

The Voicebuds are priced at $199, placing them in direct competition with Apple's AirPods Pro 3. Subtle claims their device offers five times fewer transcription errors than Apple's latest buds when using OpenAI transcription. While the earbuds support standard audio functions and active noise cancellation, they do not feature Apple's 'Hey, Siri' integration. Instead, Subtle is developing its own AI assistant. The product includes a year of access to the Subtle iOS app, followed by a $17 monthly subscription for premium features.

Subtle introduced Voicebuds to address specific frustrations with current voice input methods. The primary innovation is the ability to dictate text below the sound of a whisper. This feature is intended for use in quiet locations like libraries where shouting commands to a virtual assistant would be disruptive.

The earbuds also function effectively in loud environments. The custom AI model filters out background noise, such as a room full of toddlers or loud television audio. This ensures that dictation remains accurate even when the user is surrounded by chaos.

Subtle claims significant performance advantages over market leaders. According to the company, Voicebuds deliver five times fewer transcription errors than the AirPods Pro 3 equipped with OpenAI transcription. In a remote demonstration, CEO Tyler Chen reportedly dictated text accurately while loud music played in the background. He also successfully used the device while barely whispering sentences.

Visually, Subtle Voicebuds resemble standard wireless earbuds. However, they incorporate hardware specifically tuned for voice capture and processing. The device includes a multi-microphone array designed to isolate the user's voice from ambient sound.

Beyond dictation, the Voicebuds function as standard headphones. Key features include:

• Active Noise Cancellation (ANC): To block out external sounds during audio playback.
• Call functionality: The ability to take phone calls just like traditional headphones.
• On-device machine learning: Provides transcription accuracy even without a subscription.

Despite these features, there are limitations compared to established brands. The article notes that a fledgling startup may struggle to match the refined audio quality and well-honed ANC capabilities of Apple or Sony buds. Furthermore, Voicebuds do not support Apple's proprietary 'Hey, Siri' command due to the lack of Apple chips.

The Voicebuds are launching with a base price of $199. This price point is described as competitive with Apple's best earbuds. However, the purchase includes an additional cost structure for software features.

Buyers receive one year of access to the Subtle iOS app. After the first year, continued access to premium features requires a monthly fee of $17. Premium features included in the subscription are:

• Instant dictation.
• The ability to transcribe notes without looking at the phone.

Without the subscription, the earbuds still utilize their on-device machine learning model for transcription. It is important to note that the product currently supports iOS only; there is no Android support available at launch. The company is working to integrate its own AI assistant to replace the missing Siri functionality.