Lenovo has improved the sound quality, processor, touch screen and wireless charging function in its second-generation smart clock that supports Google Assistant.
GearBrain has tested a variety of smart devices compatible with Google Assistant. The first smart alarm clock we tested to work with Google Assistant was Lenovo smart alarm clock. This small smart alarm clock is a viable smart device designed to be used in any room of a smart home, but we think it works best in your bedroom. It does have a somewhat weird touch screen interface, and only one color. Recently, Lenovo sent us their second-generation smart clock Lenovo Smart Clock 2 for testing. In the past few months, we tested this new smart clock to understand what types of improvements the company has made to this device that supports Google Assistant. We are deeply impressed by what we have experienced. This is our review of Lenovo Smart Clock 2 with charging dock and Google Assistant.
Lenovo Smart Clock 2 with charging cradle is not in the box.
Lenovo Smart Clock 2 is the second generation of Lenovo Smart Clock. You can charge your smart alarm clock, smart phone and/or wearable device with or without the wireless charging pad. It has a 4-inch LCD touch screen that can display time, weather and photos. You can even customize the face display and adjust the brightness to make it work like a night light. It is wrapped in dark blue or heather gray fabric. The clock is suitable for Android 10 operating system and is equipped with MediaTek MT8167S processor (1.50GHz) and 1GB RM + 8GB flash memory.
Lenovo Smart Clock 2 has a built-in Google Assistant, which makes setting up a breeze.
Lenovo Smart Clock 2 is not only suitable for Google Assistant devices, but also has a built-in Google Assistant. What does it mean? This means that this smart alarm clock can function like a Google Assistant smart speaker and display. Once connected to your home Wi-Fi router (using a 5 GHz or 2.4 GHz connection), you can use the device’s Fairfield microphone array to issue voice commands to any compatible Google Assistant device. You can also use Bluetooth 4.2 connection to play music from your smartphone. Lenovo has added a new and improved 1.5-inch 3W front speaker with an air duct design to provide better sound quality than the original Lenovo smart clock.
In addition to good sound, this smart clock also has microphone mute switching and volume control (up and down). The mute button provides some good privacy protection. In addition, two-way communication is very useful when you want to turn your smart clock into a walkie-talkie by broadcasting your voice to other Google Assistant compatible speakers and devices (such as a smart TV with Google Assistant built-in). Want to make sure everyone hears when dinner is ready.
Lenovo Smart Clock 2 is a brand new and improved version of the original Lenovo Smart Clock.
GearBrain tested two versions of Lenovo smart alarm clocks in real homes and found many similarities and differences. For example, both smart clocks support 5 GHz or 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connections and come with a one-year warranty. Both smart alarm clocks can work on Bluetooth connections, but the original Lenovo Smart Clock works on Bluetooth 5.0 connections, while the new Lenovo Smart Clock 2 works on Bluetooth 4.2 wireless connections. Each of these smart alarm clocks has the same size speaker and display, but the sound of the second-generation smart alarm clock does improve. The sound is the result of a new and improved speaker.
Both smart clocks are equipped with a 4-inch display, but Lenovo Smart Clock uses an LED display, while the new Smart Clock 2 is equipped with an LCD touch screen. You can also adjust the brightness of the second-generation display to make it work like a night light.
When we looked at other features, we found that Lenovo Smart Clock 2 has better storage, processing power and memory than the original Lenovo Smart Clock. Lenovo Smart Clock 2 can run on the Android 10 operating system, while the original version must use the Linux operating system.
We noticed that another difference between these two Lenovo clocks is the wireless charging station. The original Lenovo Smart Clock did have a port to charge your smartphone or device. However, you can add a wireless charging pad to Lenovo Smart Clock 2. It not only allows you to charge your smartphone on a Magsafe compatible charging station, but also other smart devices such as smart watches or fitness trackers. Just connect the charging cable to the back of the charging board.
Overall, Lenovo Smart Clock 2 has better sound, touch, processor, storage, night light functions and connectivity than the original Lenovo Smart Clock. When you add a new charging function, this second-generation smart clock will shine in any bedroom or room in your home.
Use the touch screen display to connect Lenovo Smart Clock to the Google Home application.
Setting up Lenovo Smart Clock 2 is very simple. It is indeed a "plug and play" smart device, and the setup process is as simple as setting up any device that supports Google Assistant, such as Google Nest Mini or Nest Hub 2nd Gen. Just open the box of the smart clock, insert and connect to the Google Home app. On the main screen of the Google Home app, select the "+" button, and then select "Set up device." Next you need to select "New Device". (Hint: Do not select "Works with Google". Even if the smart clock is produced by Lenovo, it is considered a Google device, not a "Works with Google" product.)
When you select "New Device" on the Google Home app, Google will start looking for the Lenovo Smart Clock and add it to your app. You need to name it and select the room where the device will be used. name. Your device is an important step, and you need this step when you want to use voice commands on your device.
The Google Home application is the place to set up and control the Lenovo Smart Clock. GearBrain
What is the price of Lenovo Smart Clock 2?
The retail price of the new Lenovo Smart Clock 2 is $69.99, but it is only $59.99 on the Lenovo website. If you want the Lenovo Smart Clock 2 with a charging station, its retail price is $89.99, but it is only $79.99 on the Lenovo website.
We have seen Lenovo Smart Clock 2 and Lenovo Smart Clock 2 with charging dock at very attractive prices on the websites of the following retailers:
The Lenovo Smart Clock displays the local weather on its display. GearBrain
Test Results-How does Lenovo Smart Clock 2 perform in our tests
After testing Lenovo Smart Clock 2 in a real home with a normal connection, we found that it works very well. Setup is quick and easy. Selecting the display theme and brightness is also very simple. When we play music, the sound is not bad, especially the smart alarm clock. It reminds us of the sound quality of high-quality portable Bluetooth speakers without an app to adjust the sound quality.
An interesting feature that we noticed during testing is how Lenovo Smart Clock 2 interacts with Google Assistant compatible cameras and video doorbells. As with all Google Assistant smart displays, you can ask Google to broadcast live video from the camera and video doorbell. Even though Lenovo Smart Clock 2 has a small touch screen, it cannot transfer video from your camera. We want to see this feature, especially when you use a smart clock in the bedroom. How many times have you heard outside sounds at night and want to quickly see what happened. Being able to ask Google to broadcast live media from outdoor security cameras to Lenovo Smart Clock 2 will be a great feature, and Lenovo and Google should be considered in the next generation.
Our favorite Lenovo Smart Clock 2 is the wireless charging pad. It is good to tie the charging board to the alarm clock. My wife and I often quarrel about the charging cable in our bedroom, especially when we need to drink some juice for our smartphones before starting a new day or going out. With this Magsafe compatible charging base and an additional USB-A port, you can add another charging cable to power another smartphone or wearable device, smart watch or fitness tracker, which helps both of us. However, this accessory requires an additional charge.
The charging station of Lenovo Smart Clock 2 has a USB-A port for you to charge other smart devices. GearBrain
Lenovo Smart Clock 2 is a new and improved version of the first generation Lenovo Smart Clock and Lenovo Clock Essential. Although these two smart alarm clocks are worthy smart devices, the newer Lenovo Smart Clock 2 has more power, storage space, and better sound. If you want a wireless charging base, your life will be easier .
If you are an Amazon Alexa house, you may not like this smart alarm clock. Although many smart devices in your home may be compatible with Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice platforms at the same time, Lenovo Smart Clock 2 is not compatible with Alexa. In addition, if you want a smart alarm clock, it is best to check out the Amazon Echo Dot with clock. It has a similar speaker and can operate at an attractive price like a smart alarm clock (only $34.00). However, you do not have a touch screen monitor.
Another challenge of the new and improved Lenovo Smart Clock 2 is when you compare the device with other Google Assistant smart speakers and displays. Users will find that the Nest Hub has a better-performing touch screen, and you can stream video in real time via compatible security cameras and video doorbells. However, the cost of such smart speakers and displays is higher. In addition, the size of the smart display may be a bit too large for your bedside table. There is also the now very cheap Google Nest Mini (only $24.99), which can work like a smart alarm clock. However, it does not have a display that can work like a night light and provide photos and visual weather reports.
In general, if you are a Google Assistant family and want to add one that can play high-quality music, be used as a walkie-talkie, work with Google Assistant smart speakers and displays, have built-in privacy protection features (ie mute button and no camera), and have Compatible with Magsafe wireless charging dock, Lenovo Smart Clock 2 is the smart clock we recommend for your smart home.
Check out The GearBrain, our smart home compatibility search engine, to learn about other compatible products that work with Lenovo and Google Assistant-enabled devices.
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