Ex-Nothing employees launch Relay, a dedicated AI voice-to-text microphone for macOS
London startup Relay, founded by former Nothing staffers Cookie Xu and Raymond Zhu, has released voice dictation software for macOS ahead of a companion hardware device called the Relay Q, due in early 2027. The founders say existing software tools like Wispr Flow struggled with inconsistent microphone pickup in office settings, prompting them to build purpose-made hardware for accurate speech capture.
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As AI-driven dictation tools proliferate, Relay's bet on dedicated hardware suggests software alone can't solve real-world audio problems like ambient noise or privacy in shared workspaces. If successful, it could push voice interfaces further into everyday computer use, especially for complex work tasks rather than casual texting.
- Relay is a new voice-to-text startup founded by two former Nothing employees.
- Its software launches now for macOS, with dedicated Relay Q hardware coming in 2027.
- The company aims to solve microphone volume and privacy issues seen in office dictation.
Shure MV6 USB Gaming Microphone — If Relay's dedicated dictation mic won't ship until 2027, a great USB mic can upgrade your voice-to-text today. The Shure MV6 is a dynamic USB microphone built to capture close-up speech while keeping room noise in the background, which is exactly what dictation tools like Wispr Flow need to transcribe you accurately. Plug it in, speak at a normal volume, and let the AI do the typing.
See Shure MV6 USB Gaming Microphone on Amazon → Affiliate link — we may earn a commission on purchases, at no extra cost to you. Product picked by AI based on this article; it is not a tested recommendation.Source: wired.com — Julian Chokkattu, 2026-08-27
Published there as: “Stop Touching Your Keyboard. Use This AI-Powered Microphone Instead”
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