By June Ramli
Sydney, April 2: Last Saturday, I received an unexpected WhatsApp message from DHL informing me that a package from Hong Kong was on its way.
This caught me off guard — I hadn’t received any emails or prior communication suggesting that something was being sent to me, let alone from Hong Kong. As I scratched my head trying to figure out who the sender might be or what the package could contain, I decided to stay calm and just wait for it to arrive.
Two days later, the mystery package showed up at my doorstep. When I opened it, I didn’t even recognise the sender’s name. But inside was a brand-new pair of Viaim RecDot earbuds, which retail at $249.
What a pleasant surprise! I can only assume the earbuds were sent for a review on the website — given that reviewing earbuds is one of our strong suits. That said, there was no spec sheet or lifestyle imagery included — something I usually get from publicists — so this review is going to be straight from the heart, completely honest, and based solely on my own experience.
When I unboxed the device, I found the silver earbuds neatly packed, along with a charging cable and some extra earbud covers. Very minimalistic.
I finally got time to test them today, and let me tell you — they were mind-blowing for someone like me who works as a journalist.
First things first: you’ll need to download the Viaim app from the Apple Store and pair the device via Bluetooth.
The process was seamless. Pairing was almost instant — no hiccups or delays.
I also tested it with my laptop and was impressed to find the same fast, stable connection. Everything worked just as it should.
Now here’s where things got really exciting: this device is perfect for podcast recording and transcription. It transcribes speech in real time, and the output in English is impressively accurate. The transcription even capitalises the start of each sentence, which was a pleasant surprise and makes it even easier to clean up when turning interviews into stories.
The real “Eureka!” moment came when I used the earbuds to record a lecture via Zoom — the audio was crystal clear, and it picked up everything I needed without distortion. Even more impressive, the speaker had a noticeable accent, but the device still managed to capture everything and transcribe it into near-perfect English.
I then tested it during a phone conversation, and I was seriously impressed.
The recording was crystal clear, and the conversation appeared in dialogue format — with my speech on one side and the other speaker labelled by their phone number. That was super helpful. It means I can now conduct interviews using this device without the stress of manual transcription. This solves a huge problem journalists have faced for years — trying to accurately quote fast-talking interview subjects during phone interviews.
Another great feature is its potential for translation. If your interview subject speaks in a language other than English, this could be a game-changer. For busy journalists and reporters who need to file two or three stories a day, investing in these earbuds is definitely worth it. They’ll cut your workload in half.
Honestly, I wish I had these earbuds two weeks ago when I interviewed British actress Claire Cooper about her new series Hardacres. That interview — which was supposed to be recorded — never got saved due to a miscommunication. The publicist, who arranged the Zoom call, thought I would be recording it, but the link came from him. Naturally, I assumed he would be sending me the file afterward. I didn’t even take notes, trusting I’d get the recording. Unfortunately, I didn’t.
If I had the Viaim Rednote earbuds then, it would have saved the day.
From now on, I’ll be using this device daily — alongside my Google Pixel (which is also great for transcription) and my Logitech Keys-To-Go, a compact and lightweight keyboard that’s perfect for typing on the go. Together, these three devices — despite being from different brands — form the perfect kit for any journalist heading to a press conference.
No more lugging around heavy laptops.
YAY!
Disclaimer: I received the Viaim RecDot earbuds free of charge for the purpose of testing and reviewing the product. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.
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