GearBrain has tested many types of smart devices that are compatible with Google Assistant. The first smart alarm clock that worked with Google Assistant we tested was the Lenovo Smart Clock. This little smart alarm clock was a viable smart device designed for use in any room in your smart home, but we felt it worked best in your bedroom. It did have a touchscreen interface which was a little quirky and it only came in one color. Recently, Lenovo sent us their 2nd generation smart clock, the Lenovo Smart Clock 2 to test. Over the past few months, we tested this new smart clock to see what type of improvements the company made to this Google Assistant enabled device. And we were impressed with what we experienced. Here is our review of the Lenovo Smart Clock 2 with Charging Dock and Google Assistant.
Lenovo Smart Clock 2 with Charging Station unboxed.
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Lenovo Smart Clock 2 is the second generation of Lenovo’s Smart Clock. You can get it with or without a wireless charging pad for you to charge your smart alarm clock as well as a smartphone and/or a wearable. It has a 4-inch LCD touch screen to showcase the time, weather and photos. You can even customize the face displays and adjust the brightness so it can function like a nightlight. It is wrapped in a fabric that comes in Abyss Blue or Heather Grey. The clock works on an Android 10 operating system and comes with a MediaTek MT8167S Processor (1.50GHz) and 1GB RM + 8GB Flash.
Lenovo Smart Clock 2 has Google Assistant Built-in to make set up a breeze.
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The Lenovo Smart Clock 2 not only works with Google Assistant devices, but it also comes with Google Assistant built-in. What does this mean? It means this smart alarm clock can function just like a Google Assistant smart speaker and display. Once connected to your home Wi-Fi router (using either 5 GHz or 2.4 GHz connection), you can use the device’s Fairfield microphone array to make voice commands to any compatible Google Assistant devices. You can also play music from your smartphone using Bluetooth 4.2 connection. Lenovo added new and improved 1.5” 3W front-firing speakers with air duct design to provide better sound quality than the original Lenovo Smart Clock.
Besides good sound, this smart clock also has a microphone mute toggle as well as volume controls (up and down). The mute button provides some privacy protection which is nice. Also, the two-way communication is helpful when you want to turn your smart clock into an intercom by broadcasting your voice to other Google Assistant compatible speakers and devices, like a Smart TV with Google Assistant built in. A nice feature to have when you want to make sure everyone hears when dinner is ready.
Lenovo Smart Clock 2 is a new and improved version of the origiinal Lenovo smart clock.
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GearBrain tested both versions of Lenovo smart alarm clocks in real homes and saw many similarities as well as differences. For instance, both smart clocks work on either a 5 GHz or 2.4 GHz Wi-Fi connection and come with a one-year warranty. Both smart alarm clocks can work on a Bluetooth connection however the original Lenovo Smart Clock works on a Bluetooth 5.0 connection while the new Lenovo Smart Clock 2 works on a Bluetooth 4.2 wireless connection. Each of these smart alarm clocks have the same size speakers and displays, but the 2nd Gen smart clock does have an improved sound. The sound is a result a new and improved speaker.
Both smart clocks come with a 4-inch display, however, Lenovo Smart Clock uses a LED display while the new Smart Clock 2 has an LCD touchscreen which you can also adjust the 2nd Gen display’s brightness for it to work like a nightlight.
When we looked at the other features, we found the Lenovo Smart Clock 2 comes with better storage, processing power and memory than the Lenovo Smart Clock original. And the Lenovo Smart Clock 2 works on an Android 10 operating system versus the original having to use a Linux operating system.
Another difference we noticed between these two Lenovo clocks is the wireless charging station. The original Lenovo smart clock does have a port to charge your smartphone or devices. However, you can add to the Lenovo Smart Clock 2 a wireless charging pad. It will allow you to not only charge your smartphone on a Magsafe compatible charging dock, but you could also charge other smart devices like a smartwatch or fitness tracker. Just connect the charging cord to the back of the charging pad.
Overall, the Lenovo Smart Clock 2 has a better sound, touch control, processor, storage, nightlight capabilities and connectivity then the original Lenovo Smart Clock. And when you add the new charging capabilities, this 2nd Gen smart clock will shine in any bedroom or room in your home.
Connect Lenovo Smart Clock to Google Home app using the touchscreen display.
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Setting up Lenovo Smart Clock 2 is extremely easy. It really is “a plug and play” smart device and the set-up process is as easy as setting up any Google Assistant enabled device, like Google Nest Mini or Nest Hub 2nd Gen. Just unbox your smart clock, plug it in and connect it to the Google Home app. On the Google Home app home screen, select the “+” button and then “Set up device.” You will need to select “New Devices” next. (Tip: don’t select "Works with Google”. Even though the smart clock is made by Lenovo, it’s considered a Google device and not a “Works with Google” product.)
When you select “New Devices” on the Google Home app, Google will start to look for the Lenovo Smart clock and add it to your app. You will need to name it and select the room the device will be used. Naming. your device is an important step and needed for when you want to use voice commands on the device.
Once installed, you can set up display themes, notifications, sound levels, alarms and all the other features you want on your smart alarm clock. Set up time will take only a few minutes.
Google Home app is where Lenovo Smart Clock is setup and controlled.GearBrain
How much does the Lenovo Smart Clock 2 cost?
The new Lenovo Smart Clock 2 has a retail price of $69.99 but is available on the Lenovo website for only $59.99. If you would like the Lenovo Smart Clock 2 with the charging station, its retail price is $89.99 but available on the Lenovo site for only $79.99.
We have seen Lenovo Smart Clock 2 and Lenovo Smart Clock 2 with Charging Dock available on the following retailer’s sites at attractive prices:
Lenovo Smart Clock displays local weather on its display.GearBrain
Testing Results - How well did Lenovo Smart Clock 2 perform during our testing
After testing the Lenovo Smart Clock 2 in a real home with normal connectivity, we found it to work exceptionally well. Set up was quick and easy. Choosing the display themes as well as the brightness was also simple. When we played music, the sound was decent, especially for a smart alarm clock. It reminded us of the sound quality from a quality portable Bluetooth speaker with no app to adjust the sound quality.
One interesting function we noticed during testing was how the Lenovo Smart Clock 2 interacted with Google Assistant compatible cameras and video doorbells. Like all Google Assistant smart displays, you can ask Google to live stream video from cameras and video doorbells. Even though the Lenovo Smart Clock 2 has a small touchscreen display, it can't stream video from your cameras. We would have liked to see this functionality, especially if you are using the smart clock in your bedroom. How many times at night do you hear a sound outside and want to quickly see what's going on. Having the ability to ask Google to live stream from your outdoor security camera onto the Lenovo Smart Clock 2 would be a great feature and something Lenovo and Google should consider in next generations.
What we liked most about Lenovo Smart Clock 2 was the wireless charging pad. Having a charging pad tied to your alarm clock nice. My wife and I often fight over the charging cord we have in our bedroom, especially when we need a little juice for our smartphones before starting the day or going out. Having this Magsafe compatible charging dock with an additional USB-A port to add another charging cord to power up another smartphone or maybe a wearable, smartwatch or fitness tracker, helps us both. However, there is additional cost for this accessory.
Lenovo Smart Clock 2's charging station comes with a USB-A port for you to charge additional smart devices.GearBrain
Summary
The Lenovo Smart Clock 2 is a new and improved version of the 1st Gen Lenovo Smart Clock as well as Lenovo Clock Essential. Though both smart alarm clocks were worthy smart devices, the newer Lenovo Smart Clock 2 comes with more power, storage, better sound and if you want a wireless charging dock to make your life easier.
If you are an Amazon Alexa house, you might not like this smart alarm clock. Even though, many smart devices in your home might be compatible with both Amazon Alexa and Google Assistant voice platforms, Lenovo Smart Clock 2 is not compatible with Alexa. Also, you are better off looking at the Amazon Echo Dot with Clock if you want a smart alarm clock. It has a comparable speaker and can function like a smart alarm clock at an attractive price (only $34.00). However, you don’t get a touchscreen display.
Another challenge for the new and improved Lenovo Smart Clock 2 is when you compare the device to other Google Assistant smart speakers and displays. Users will find the Nest Hub has a better performing touchscreen and you can live stream video from your compatible security cameras and video doorbells. But, this smart speaker and display comes at a higher cost. Also, the size of the smart display might be a little too much for your nightstand. There is also the Google Nest Mini which is inexpensive right now (only $24.99) and can function like a smart alarm clock. However, it doesn’t have a display which can function like a nightlight and provide photos and visualized weather reports.
Overall, if you are a Google Assistant home and want to add a smart device that can play quality music, function as an intercom, works with Google Assistant smart speakers and displays, has built-in privacy protection (i.e., a mute button and no camera) and has a Magsafe compatible wireless charging dock, the Lenovo Smart Clock 2 is the smart clock we recommend for your smart home.
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