For years, tech companies have promised that voice would replace touchscreens as our primary interface, yet that vision never fully materialized. I had begun to doubt it ever would.
That changed at IFA in Berlin, where a team of former Nothing designers unveiled an AI microphone that pushes us closer to a voice-controlled future.
Roughly the size of a small lighter, the Relay Q fits comfortably in your hand, acting as a bridge between voice and computer, between thought and text. Press the tip to capture whisper-level audio for discreet dictation in quiet environments, or double-click the top to emulate Enter or Send.
The Relay Q’s design and tactile quality made an immediate impression. Unsurprisingly, the team includes Nothing alumni who understand that how technology feels in the hand is crucial to whether people will embrace it.
Available in dual-color options ranging from silver and electric blue to baby blue and orange, the Relay Q features a satisfyingly soft yet responsive press-to-talk button.
The tip detaches to become a wearable pin that clings to your collar via a built-in magnet, positioning the microphone closer to your face. This flexible design lets you choose between handheld and pinned modes; in wearable mode, you press and hold the top of the main unit or use a separately available MagSafe remote on your iPhone.
The Relay Q connects to Relay’s AI desktop software, powered by Google Gemini and currently limited to macOS, with Windows and Android support on the way. You’ll need to grant the app access to your other applications so it can execute voice commands.
In a brief demo, I whispered a request to draft an email inviting someone to contribute to CNET. Gmail opened and the invite appeared on screen. It was competent, and just one of many capabilities the AI agent offers. While I haven’t tested them all, I reviewed the personalization options, which let you specify writing preferences for the AI to emulate.
I’m particularly curious about how speech-to-text performs on longer drafts. I genuinely enjoy writing and have no desire to hand everything over to AI, but I now wonder whether typing must always be my default input method.
It reminds me of old-school field reporters who dictated copy over the phone before computers existed. There would undoubtedly be a learning curve, but if I could master communicating my thoughts and style coherently by voice, it would save considerable time. I would still be writing, just using my voice instead of a keyboard.
In most offices or public spaces, I’d be too self-conscious to dictate aloud. The Relay Q’s ability to capture whisper-level audio lets me mutter quietly without drawing attention.
Pre-orders are available for $150 for early supporters, including a MagSafe remote and 12 months of Relay Unlimited. The price may increase before the January 2027 shipping date.
Standalone AI devices are increasingly common, yet I haven’t seen anything quite like this. I’m eager to see how it performs.
