Lenovo Smart Clock Essential Review. Old School Meets New!

[@winandd8649]

@4:21 You have to tap the top edge of the screen (the black edge) , not the speakers to snooze @5:14 The alarm volume steadily increases if you don't turn it off, so starting at a low volume is nice

[@gregjoblove672]

You can actually toggle the nightlight by holding the volume down button for 3 seconds 😁

[@niallschepers4132]

🤓🤓

[@madfury3179]

And how do you set it to auto adjust to the room's brightness?

[@Nightykk]

When the alarm goes you can just say "Stop", without going "Hey/Ok Google" (Hey Booboo works as well).

[@119Agent]

And that is for any and all Google Assistant alarms, not just this device

[@toStringy]

Ironically here in the UK the leading '0' is normal, and as such something I'm glad of! Thanks for this review.

[@Nightykk]

Ditto in Denmark.

[@AdamSmith-fe9jf]

Reviewer is right. Smart clock should automatically adjust display style based on user location. Doesn’t look proper here in the US.

[@hrcampo]

And here in Colombia goes ok too

[@LurifaxDK]

Any of the three buttons to the left will snooze the alarm, the right will turn it off.

[@kellieashman6908]

I’m not very tech savvy and I found this so easy to set up. So of the functionality I will probably never use but one of the greatest things about it for me is I never have to stumble around in my dark bedroom again trying to get my bedside table. I’m disabled so this was a real danger for me at times. I also love that you can set the clock display to be dimmed during the night but I completely agree that trying to find this setting on your phone is bloody difficult! Thanks, great review 🇦🇺

[@anyhow-f1b]

So burning question that wasn't addressed. Can you set the alarm sound to be something other than a buzz? For example a music stream from a radio station? Or fm even? A buzz only alarm is not going to suit me.

[@joelmatteis6189]

Bluetooth is available and works, just hold the alarm set and volume up button for 3 seconds, the 4 lights will start to cycle and you can connect bluetooth on your device.

[@madfury3179]

Thanks for that tip. I didn't see it in the manual.

[@tomasgrolich7469]

Is it possible to change the ringtone for an mp3 song on the alarm clock or not?

[@andreplata5583]

Awesome reviews thank you. No fluff just straight to the point which is the way I like it!!

[@cheycheyc]

Thanks for the review. Best buy Canada has it on sale for $35 black Friday pricing. My mum would prefer this than the other Lenovo smart display that's on sale too for $49.99.

[@thomast6569]

Same here. For non-tech folks (some Moms, Dads, Grandparents), this looks to be a good option. Although, I'm not sure how they will respond to asking google questions if it keeps saying 'Sorry I did not understand...' hehe

[@Sirg17x]

Debating between this and the nest mini for my new desk setup. I have a home mini in most other rooms of my house and the Lenovo smart display in our kitchen. My office surprisingly is missing any smart home devices, but with the purchase of a new desk another monitor, etc. I figured now is a good time.

[@joelmatteis6189]

Saw one review, that said the nightlight should start to come on 5 minutes before your alarm, but mine doesn't. Also, you can set different alarm sounds, but you pretty much have to know what is available to do so. Wish you could set it up via the app. Someone said online you can use the routines to do so, but haven't dabbled. I like the small size of it. Was also looking to see if there is a way to do soft alarm, where the volume slowly increases, can't find that either, there is SOOOOO much potential here, but they missed the mark. Not complaining, I'll keep it, for $35 CAD, can't go wrong, and the sound isn't bad for an alarm clock.

[@Landelutt]

No review actually reviews the alarm on this alarm clock. I´m trying to find out if you can choose different alarm sounds and/or choose a digital radio station to wake up to.

[@Sirg17x]

What is the difference between the Smart Clock Essential and the Smart Clock w/ Google Assistant? Is it just down to the photo frame and video casting?

[@typoprone]

Thanks for the review. Saved me $35 :)

[@allana8253]

I take it there isn't a battery on this thing? So how exactly is the nightlight suppose to work, if there's no battery? Lenovo states on their site; A built-in nightlight lets you get up at night without stumbling around or waking up the whole family by turning on the ceiling lights. No more using the light from your phone at night as you head to the bathroom, study, or kitchen. The LED digits are just bright enough to make your surroundings clearly visible, yet dim enough to foster a healthy sleep environment.

[@Babblingboolean]

Correct, there's no battery. The night light works as long as the clock is plugged in for power.

[@KayakMark34]

Ah...Electricity...ie plugged in an outlet...

[@sm753]

You can pick this up at Walmart now for $24...I mean, for the price this thing is pretty amazing.

[@KayakMark34]

agree! replaced my Insignia one from years ago...this is better

[@Peter_Yachymczyk]

$17 at Walmart today (09/28/2021) with an LED lamp or $28 clock only Why? I bought it for the clock but not paying more for just that! I'm going to give the lamp away.

[@itsagoal182]

Great review, straight onto it!

[@krisclem8290]

Does the night light double as a wake up light, where the light turns on (or even increases brightness) as the alarm goes off?

[@joshreed2746]

Just got this for my kids and I'm pretty sure you can use it as a wake up light.

[@RimWulf]

I changed mine to the 24hr time. I've being going of that time format since I was a kid.

[@krzybynature]

"hey google, set the alarm volume to 100%" works fine for all my google smart devices, let it be hubs or minis, etc. Try that, should work!

[@Babblingboolean]

Gave that a try before recording the video, doesn't work.

[@Unicornflyin]

Is it possible to change the alarm sound?

[@pucheco69]

How you can play pandora to it?? Why make it so difficult 🥺

[@mthuhn]

The USB charging port is low power because it is not good for your phone to stay at 100% all night so they put a slower charging port so your phone will be fully charged in the morning without damaging the battery .

[@TheJiloo]

You really believe its because of that? A slower charging port its cheaper.. Thats why they did it.. Also usb c stops charging when the battery is full.

[@mthuhn]

@@TheJiloo yes it does stop the charge but then if the phone is on it drainers the battery and it starts changing again when it gets to 99% so it will keep going between 100% and 99% all night long

[@mthuhn]

Not goid for the battery

[@randomlyrebecca403]

Bluetooth is for sending music to a bluetooth speaker not for using this as the speaker, and the time format is so it can display a 24 hour clock

[@LessThanHandy]

It's available now directly from Lenovo for $24.99 use eCoupon listed on same page with free shipping

[@NDionneG005]

Can I use the Alarm clock without wifi. And does it have back up power, even for a moment

[@Babblingboolean]

No battery backup. I turned off the home WiFi and powered the device (from no power), it wouldn't do anything without WiFi.

[@derekboonstra]

I read in a subreddit somewhere that the alarms and time still work when offline which is a big win over the original (which I do have). I just bought this today.

[@camronhagler5998]

No back up power but it does still show time while offline.

[@qqlifestyle3766]

Is there a way to make the 2 dots in the middle to stop flashing?

[@Babblingboolean]

Not that I can find.

[@malak1926]

I got this last week unfortunately lost the user manual. Can you tell me if the wifi is mandatory to show time, just time ???

[@v2kanv]

Yes, it need to there or use the hotspot of phone.

[@will1amf229]

Do you need to have a phone with the google home app? Once you set it up do you ever have to actually use your phone again?

[@Babblingboolean]

Yes to needing it for setup. After that you don't have to use the phone again.

[@TuscaniSpeed]

Hi Guys, Do you know how to activate the 24h format instead of am/pm?

[@painfield]

I'm in the same boat, and the weather icon isn't working either. If you add the snooze problem it lacks many of the few features I expected. There's no way to contact Lenovo directly so I think I'll be returning it today and getting the one with the screen before the end of black friday.

[@Jaamesss]

Would like to know as wel

[@Jaamesss]

Update to the home app brought thought this option in the UK. The option is at the very bottom of the settings above system info

[@denisew6774]

@@painfield Actually, the "snooze" is the "-", "+" and ">" buttons on the top of the device.

[@painfield]

@@denisew6774 The snooze is also the buttons or voice command, but, if I'm not wrong, it's supposed to be touch sensitive on the top, haven't tried it myself as I don't use the function. They fixed the other issues and I'm a happy customer, but I understand someone that counted on that feature for whatever reason not being so happy.

[@chrisefc3579]

Great review, many thanks.

[@pierreedward3882]

Has anyone found out a way for it to say or read out ur calendar

[@nanobis]

You just ask it "whats on the calendar" just like any Google speaker. If you want it to automatically do that every morning you need to set up a morning routine in the assistant app.

[@Fingerprintguy]

I had difficulty but in my routine I asked it to read my agenda. This works better than reading my calendar.

[@rixlan]

There is no actual snooze button. You have to smack your hand down on top of the clock.

[@johngreydanus2033]

Some of the LED have gone out now, very hard to read the numbers, I'm guessing there is no fix for that, but I'm finding it impossible to find a replacement with the Google connection feature, suggestions anyone?

[@chrissmith2963]

Good video. A couple of times you said Bad design by Google but it is made by Lenovo. The earlier version alarm clock you can just whack the top and it stops alarm, tho simply saying Stop also easy.

[@madfury3179]

The clock is from Lenovo, but you must configure it with Google Home. Voice commands work with the Google Assistant, which is what he was complaining about: it lacks a lot of basic verbal commands.

[@chrissmith2963]

@@madfury3179sorry but he said 'bad design'. Design speaks to hardware. As for the software, I don't see many tech pundits complaining about Googke Assistant. It's generally considered best in category. I have this clock now and have no issues w assistant doing what I need, be it play music, a podcast, or give any sort I of info I request to hear. I actually can't find fault w hardware either, tho I can see why some might prefer previous model.

[@muneerfaizal7997]

You Have To whack it to Snooze the alarm

[@Babblingboolean]

Tried that along with all the multiple ways I tried in the video.

[@slugdangler]

@@Babblingboolean Sounds the same as the full lenovo smart clock, give it a smack like you mean it.

[@muneerfaizal7997]

@@Babblingboolean i think it's just the issue with your unit , mine works fine, i just guve a tap to Snooze the alarm every morning

[@avonord]

Mine works fine too by giving it a whack

[@freddy73me]

Guess same as bigger smart clock - snooze is by giving a decent tap on top, it's not a button, prob a shock sensor.

[@Jaamesss]

How can you change the clock format to 24 hour mode, I've tried voice commands but only end up setting alarms or timers for 24 hours away

[@Nightykk]

In the Google Home app, settings for the device (click the device, hit the gear up top), scroll down and you should hit "Time Format" - can change it in there. I was considering sending it back, if I hadn't found that option :p Also, the Google Home app might take an hour or two to show the proper settings menu after attaching the device to your account.

[@Jaamesss]

@@Nightykk hey cheers for the reply. I can't see Time Format anywhere on that menu. It's been paired to the account for 24h

[@Jaamesss]

Update to the home app brought thought this option in the UK. The option is at the very bottom of the settings above system info

[@GotKEYStudio]

can you add a "good morning routine" to your alarm?

[@madfury3179]

Google Home, which is required to configure the clock, has the option of implementing routines, but I have not managed to make them work. From what I have understood you can only trigger them with a voice command, which is odd, I would expect them to start automatically at a certain time, but you need 2 conditions, a time and a verbal command.

[@nickprincipato358]

Does anyone know how to lower the brightness of the display? And at night the westher icon disapesrs is that normal?

[@MartinME3]

voice only. Say Set Screen Brightness to 100% or whatever you want.

[@skrboysam]

@@MartinME3 thank u so so so so much i looked for an hour becuz i didnt like how low the brightness was in the dark i tried everything but the word "set"

[@Jaamesss]

Thanks! Seems to reset itself and have a mind of its own

[@nanobis]

You can change the max brightness in the assistant app. And if the display is still too bright at night, just ask it to turn off the display. It seems to turn off the display for a hour or 2.

[@119Agent]

Where does it advertise the top of the speaker is an alarm snooze button? That is not in my instructions.

[@lbo250rr]

He's wrong on that. In the manual it says the cop +/- and the play button are the snooze buttons. Not the top of the alarm...

[@bandit8486]

Does it works without cable?

[@dunkingpro]

How do you change the time on the clock? I think the time zone is wrong and it won’t let me change it

[@Babblingboolean]

I believe it syncs the time with the device that you use to set it up and your google profile on the device. So for me, I set it up with my phone so I believe it got the time from my phone.

[@vmorten1]

Is it possible to change the Brightess on the screen ?

[@Jaamesss]

"okay Google set screens brightness to ____%"

[@albiss1164]

Hi, can the two dots be put to 'permanent on' instead of 'blinking'? I guess not, but I have to ask. Thanks! :)

[@Babblingboolean]

Only blinking.

[@albiss1164]

@@Babblingboolean Thanks

[@makeitbetterx33]

Every clock I've ever had, blinks when it loses power and restarts and you need to set the correct time. So it's really strange that they would make it blink by default and not even let you change it

[@albiss1164]

@@makeitbetterx33 Yeah, would have been a simple option to implement. But other than that I like it.

[@makeitbetterx33]

@@albiss1164 I think I'm gonna get the "smart clock with google assistant" because it's only $10 more. It's actually for my son's bedroom. Since I set it up on my phone, I can really limit what he can do with it which is what I was worried about.

[@ashujchwd]

I wished the buttons were bigger and more clickable

[@ChrisBeard]

The Bluetooth is to connect to other Bluetooth speakers

[@shreyash6495]

does google routines work on this?

[@Babblingboolean]

Yes

[@handyman7259]

👍👍 very informative thanks

[@grahamsullivan5322]

Change the time format from 24hr to 12hrs

[@alanneowens2093]

Can it change daylight savings time?

[@Babblingboolean]

Yes, it does it automatically.

[@kkd4811]

My weather icon has disappeared, tried reboot but doesn’t help. Anyone know why?

[@madfury3179]

I don't even know what purpose it has.

[@2012MADD]

could anybody please help me out and tell me if the charger is 110v - 220v please

[@vyle2103]

having that snooze button being hard to press would work better to wake me up

[@Babblingboolean]

Lol

[@lbo250rr]

He's wrong on the snooze feature. In the manual it says the vol +/- and the play button are the snooze buttons. Not the top of the alarm...

[@gregorypaul6358]

I switched to the 24 hour format and the zero is gone.

[@hpiccov]

Thanks

[@chuckyjules8488]

Ooooooooohhhhhhhhh!....I like that wolf statue in the background!

[@FrLW68]

It looked good, but the negatives you mentioned are enough not to buy this one, unfortunately.

[@asharmaaditya]

But I enjoyed your video..very practical review

[@jackadamsdaniels6719]

Sounds tinny

[@madfury3179]

I own one. I don't like it.

[@asharmaaditya]

Nah not my piece of cake

[@iniquitousgod]

Dude, did ya read any of the manual? You got so much wrong.

[@michaelnemo7629]

"Budd-Ins"? Budd-Uns??? What an odd way to Pronounce the word button. I always thought it was "BUTT-N's" With a hard "T" sound...

[@jrcbear]

Stop saying “buddon” it’s BUTTON... it’s a T not a D as in but not bud .. therefore it’s button not buddon

[@Hermitmaster]

He can say it how he wants. Have a day off wee troll.

[@JayDee-xj9lu]

@@Hermitmaster I agree. Don't be so racist. Do you get upset when the Japanese say flench flies.