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Lenovo Smart Clock hands-on review: Bringing Google Assistant to your bedside

Thanks to its built-in Google Assistant, this tiny device is probably the smartest alarm clock in the world

Aside from fluorescent hour hands and the invention of the snooze button, the humble alarm clock hasn’t exactly leapt forward in the past 50 years. Lenovo has called time on this long incubation, announcing its Smart Clock with Google Assistant.

It’s a dinky wee thing too. Roughly the same size as a conventional alarm clock, its front is dominated by a 4-inch touchscreen while a fabric surround means Lenovo avoids the plastic looks that can make other smart speakers seem, well, ugly. With an $80 price (we’re still waiting for the UK price), it’s not too expensive either.

Lenovo Smart Clock review: Key specifications, price and release date

  • Display: 4in IPS, 480 x 800 resolution
  • Dimensions: 79.8 x 114 x 79.2mm (HWD)
  • Weight: 328g
  • I/O buttons: 1 x microphone mute toggle, 1 x volume up/down
  • Camera: None
  • Connectivity: rear USB port for charging phone etc
  • Wireless: Dual band 2.4GHz/5GHz 802.11ac, Bluetooth 5
  • Processor: 1.5GHz MediaTek 8167S
  • Storage: 8GB eMMC
  • Memory: 1GB RAM
  • Audio: 1 x 1.5in 3W speaker (peak power of 6W), 2 x passive radiators
  • OS: Google Assistant
  • UK price: TBC ($79.99 in US)
  • UK release: Spring 2019

Lenovo Smart Clock review: Design, key features and first impressions

From our early play with the Smart Clock, one thing is clear: Lenovo is incredibly aware of what people want from a product that sits on their bedside table. It avoids the first obvious mistake – thank the Lord, there’s no camera here – and is wise to include a USB port on the rear for charging your phone.

Other than this, there’s not much to see. Aside from the power input, there’s just an on/off button so you can mute the microphone. That’s because most of the time you’ll be using voice commands or touch to navigate the options.

For example, you might want to say “Hey Google, goodnight” and start a simple scenario of switching off lights, turning devices to silent and switching on your smart security camera. It could even kickstart ambient noise or guided sleep meditation.

And when you wake up from this blissful night’s sleep? If you’ve invested in smart lights, it can tie your wake-up time to a slow increase in ambient light or a voice description of your upcoming agenda. Or it could just play some music.

When it comes to music playback, you can’t expect miracles from a 1.5W speaker and two passive radiators. It’s better suited to speech radio than enjoying the latest Ed Sheeran hit, but if you keep your expectations modest then you should be happy with its results.

Lenovo Smart Clock review: Early verdict

We like the Smart Clock. It’s cute, carefully thought-out and, thanks to the omission of a camera and the physical option of switching the microphone off, it doesn’t feel like an invasion of privacy. Smarts when you want it, a dumb clock when you don’t.

We’re also fans of the price. Sure, it would be nicer if it cost £50 rather than the £70 retailers are likely to ask when it hits shelves, but that’s still in the realm of impulse buy. Hey Lenovo, you done good.

Source: expertreviews.co.uk


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