Alarm clocks reside by the mattress for years, however are forgotten. We acknowledge their presence twice a day, as soon as within the morning and the opposite time whereas setting an alarm earlier than going to mattress. With the Smart Clock 2, Lenovo isn’t attempting to rework {our relationships} with an alarm clock. Instead, it’s making the alarm clock we all know a bit extra clever and private, elevating the standing of a tool that always will get uncared for for what it’s. But the query actually is why ought to an alarm clock be modernised within the first place? I attempted to search out out the reply in my assessment of the Lenovo Smart Clock 2.
Lenovo Smart Clock 2 value in India: Rs 6,999
Lenovo Smart Clock 2 assessment: Design and aesthetics
When I first noticed the Smart Clock 2, my instantaneous response was “thank god, it has a smaller footprint.” In a sea of good shows which might be powered by both Google Assistant or Amazon Alexa, the Smart Clock 2 sticks to the components that made the unique model a preferred selection amongst shoppers. The bodily design hasn’t modified a lot however the brand new mannequin has a number of beauty modifications right here and there. The Smart Clock measures 4.46 x 2.80 x 3.67 inches, so it doesn’t take a lot area in your bedside desk. It is available in three totally different color choices and my unit has this Heather Gray end. The exterior of the gadget has a material cowl, which provides a good quantity of premiumness to the alarm clock. On the highest of the clock are two buttons for quantity management. Meanwhile, on the again of the Smart Clock 2 is the ability change and a mute button that turns off the always-listening microphone.
The entire bundle is available in two separate items of {hardware}, the alarm clock itself and the wi-fi charging station. The proposition of a wi-fi charging dock to the Smart Clock 2 offers numerous usefulness to customers, and I skilled that first hand. The dock connects magnetically and makes use of pogo pins to energy the show.
The proposition of a wi-fi charging dock to the Smart Clock 2 offers numerous usefulness to customers, and I skilled that first hand. (Image credit score: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
The thought is to maintain the telephone or earbuds on the Qi wi-fi charging station (helps as much as 10W) earlier than going to mattress and sleep peacefully with out having to fret concerning the standing of the battery in your smartphone/or wi-fi earbuds if you get up within the morning. I discovered this function notably helpful, as a result of there have been instances once I realised my telephone was working on low battery simply earlier than stepping out for a morning stroll. The wi-fi charger works completely positive with my iPhone 13 mini and Galaxy Buds 2. A pleasant contact is the presence of an LED gentle ring that goes across the backside of the show. So if you preserve your telephone for charging on the dock, the “Night Light” briefly lits up, signalling the charging has began. Don’t fear, the wi-fi charging dock additionally has a USB-A port for charging peripherals.
Additionally, the Night Light function will be manually turned on from the show. You can tweak the brightness in addition to the precise time you require the Night Light to be in an energetic mode. I want there was a bodily button to activate the night time gentle.
Lenovo Smart Clock 2 assessment: Display and good options
Compared to the Google Nest and Amazon Echo Show, the Smart Clock feels small and I get why it seems the way in which it does. A show bigger than 4-inch makes a digital alarm clock pointless for my part. Speaking of the show, it routinely adjusts the brightness based mostly on the lighting within the room, because of the built-in ambient gentle sensor. It will get dim in a darkish room. That stated, the show remains to be readable from a distance. But past that, the show is proscribed in capabilities and on no account matches the Google Next or Amazon Echo Show. Because the display on these gadgets is a little bit greater, it’s rather a lot simpler to navigate the interface.
But do you actually need to watch YouTube movies on a 4-inch display? Probably not. All I would like is a show that may inform me the time, climate, and let me know what music is enjoying. Just in case you have an interest, the Smart Clock 2 can be used as a digital photograph body by pulling out a single photograph or a whole album of pictures out of your Google Photos library.
The Smart Clock 2 works like some other Google Assistant speaker, besides this one has a show. (Image credit score: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
Regardless of the way you categorise the Smart Clock 2, it’s primarily a Google Assistant-powered good show that additionally doubles as a sensible speaker (extra on that later). The Smart Clock 2 works like some other Google Assistant speaker, besides this one has a show. Just say “Hey, Google” earlier than any command and the Assistant responds by displaying the question you requested for. You can ask for the most recent information, know the climate, play music by way of Spotify or some other music streaming platform, and management any good dwelling gadgets in your house, like a sensible plug, or safety digital camera. Based on my testing, I discovered that the Smart Clock 2 is designed for use along with your voice command. Of course, you’ll be able to dig deeper into the settings and customise the Clock. For instance, lengthy press on the Smart Clock 2 modifications totally different clock designs; additionally, you will get the choice to customize them additional. Swiping down from the highest will present settings shortcuts. Swiping up from the underside permits you to change the gadget’s settings, whereas swiping towards the center of the display from the precise edge has a built-in nap alarm. It’s already pre-set for 20 minutes.
Setting up the Smart Clock 2 is simple. Download the Google Home app from the Google Play Store or the Apple App Store and observe the directions. The Smart Clock 2 lacks a built-in digital camera, and truthfully, I wouldn’t have wished any form of digital camera on a tool that resides subsequent to my mattress.
The speaker is loud and clear, however doesn’t have an incredible quantity of bass. (Image credit score: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
Lenovo Smart Clock 2 assessment: Alarm clock and audio system
The Smart Clock 2 is first an alarm clock after which a sensible show. Its job is to wake you up within the morning. You can set an alarm along with your voice in seconds. To flip off the alarm within the morning, it’s essential to faucet on the highest of the show to both shut it off or snooze it.
As I’ve talked about earlier than, the Smart Clock 2 can also be a sensible speaker. The speaker is loud and clear, however doesn’t have an incredible quantity of bass. It helps a variety of music companies, together with Spotify and Apple Music. If you employ Spotify, the display reveals album artwork and play controls. However, I confronted points pairing the Smart Clock 2 with Apple Music, regardless of being subscribed to the service. You can use it as a Bluetooth speaker.
On the again of the Smart Clock 2 is the ability change and a mute button that turns off the always-listening microphone. (Image credit score: Anuj Bhatia/Indian Express)
Lenovo Smart Clock 2 assessment: Should you purchase it?
At Rs 6,999, the Smart Clock 2 is a superb little alarm clock that additionally occurs to be a terrific good speaker. Lenovo deliberately tried not to enter the territory of a full-fledged good show and I get the rationale why it selected that means. Sure, the Echo Show 5 or Google Nest are extra succesful however you might be lacking particular alarm clock options. The addition of a wi-fi charging dock and an LED Night Light is tremendous handy, one thing which is exclusive to the Smart Clock 2. Like some other product, the Smart Clock 2 shouldn’t be good. It has its share of flaws, like Lenovo opted for a similar MediaTek quad-core processor discovered contained in the 2019’s Smart Clock. A tool like this wanted an improved consumer interface and a built-in battery.
