I just got this one 2 days ago and I'm loving it so far. It does everything I need it to do. Highly recommend if you don't mind it not having a touchscreen.
This looks really well done. Not everything needs an LCD display with hundreds of additional apps and functionalities. Aside from no backup battery for power outages (which I think I can DIY) this runs really well as an alarm clock with great google assistant INTEGRATION and not just having google run the alarms on the cloud (which would not work during internet loss) and actually has hardware integration for the alarm. I think I would actually prefer this over my nest hub.
I work at Walmart and we still have a ton left from the holidays and I've been looking for an alarm recently, to replace my phone to reduce phone activity in the morning. I'm buying this tomorrow
When he attempted to set my alarm, when Google was triggered, I just started saying STOP STOP STOP STOP while this dummkopf was talking. Alarms weren't set here.
I've had 2 of the old Best Buy Insignia Voice Smart Clocks for years, so I have to agree these kind of Google/Nest assistants are perfect for bedrooms, and/or minimalist setups, as they don't disturb your sleep like a Google/Nest Home Hub would, and provide more information with the clock, alarm, and temp displays then a Google/Nest Mini speaker. Far as those complaining about you not muting the Okay Google commands they just need to either wear headphones, or just know to hit the mute switch on their devices before watching a video like this.
Thanks for the review, but what’s the point off doing a review for the speaker, but not actually playing any music on that speaker - how is it the other reviewers are able to do that, without concerns over licenses?
For heavy sleepers I suggest to use both this clock and your phone as an alarm clock because this alarm is not that loud alone if you’re heavy sleeper. Please learn from my experience lol
I have a Lenovo Smart Clock (the one with a touch screen) and I think it's overall superieur to this one, the screen can go quite dim, and you can just smash it to snooze it. The screen can just provide a lot more information like listing the alarms all at once, or view the calendar. Also, it can visualize answers given by the Google assistant
Excellent review. Just ordered one of these. I had been thinking of jumping into smart devices with a speaker but also needed an alarm clock to replace my ancient (from the early 90's) sunbeam that is on its last legs.
I have the older one as well and was thinking this might be an "upgrade" but the lack of changeable clock faces killed it for me. I have a simple digital clock I picked up from a thrift store for $5.
@@davidblalock1709 Same. I watched the review/unboxing to see if it would offer anything new. Except for a cheaper price, the original seems the better buy. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Hi, I'm sorry to bother you with this question, but I am thinking of buying the older one too. Is slamming the top to stop/snooze working good? Does it always work?
One of the problems I have with using my Nest speakers as alarm clocks is that, very occasionally, the WiFi in the house will go off or a speaker will disconnect. This means that the speaker will not play the scheduled alarm and I will sleep in/miss the thing I set the alarm for. Can you tell us whether the clock/alarm clock function will continue to operate autonomously of WiFi?
Look, I love your channel but could you PLEASE mute the "Hey Google" wake word when you are demonstrating products? PLEASE????? You're a Chrome/Android channel, you should do this as a service to your subscribers PLEASE. And I'm assuming you can't change the clock face since you didn't mention or show any other clock faces? That's the only thing I would miss on the minimalist design.
You can also just tell Google to turn it on and its the most amazing sound. I literally just bought this at Walmart because it was the first alarm clock I saw because I've gotten used to muting my phone in my sleep
Great review! I have an iPhone and Apple watch but something that's a little more basic for alarms in the morning would be nice. Also the night light function is a nice idea to not be blinded by the iPhone display early in the morning. Tempted to pick one of these up..
This would be great if it had a projector. My wife and I can’t see much without our glasses so we have a clock that projects the time on the ceiling without lighting up the entire room.
Would have appreciated hearing more about the music function. Good speaker? Radio? What is the source of music? Don't blame copyrght issues for telling us nothing at all.
Its a google assistant speaker means it will play the app you associate it with when you set up and if you dont use any of the apps available you will get a basic youtube music experience also you can set it up as a Bluetooth speaker to play music stored on another device.there is nothing built in the speaker that plays music no radio
So this is a newer version of the original 1st generation, but cheaper with no touch screen. I like the hardware design. It's great that Google are making cheaper devices for those who don't want to spend much on just a bedside clock. I still love my 1st generation version.
Questions: - does it have a battery backup? - what alarm sounds does it have? (the last one needed a huge alarm beeper update!) - does it support music wake up? (Spotify, etc) incl playlists?
No they don't have battery backup, that's why he clearly said in the video as a backup to your phone, if the internet goes out they don't work either. so again as backup to your phone, I always set my phone 10 minutes after my Google/Nest home devices.
Wish you would have talked about how the audio quality of the speaker is. Seems like something you thought was important at the beginning of the video.
This review is good! Here are some issues i feel need to be fixed in future iterations of the product: - Hardware keys to connect remote bluetooth music - Scratch easy screen - Load delay during startup (when wifi is not available), same problem with the Lenovo Smart Clock - At least a 1000mah power backup should be there by default in all smart clocks (gives at least 1-2 hours backup without music, because music speakers come with power backup), power backup for music ringtone and clock is a must.
This has now been discontinued here. My local PC store had one left in stock, discounted to about $63 so I bit the bullet and claimed it. I had some store points anyway so it wasn't so painful!
Dude! I thought you edited the videos before posting to remove the "ok google" keywords ?!?! I had to say cancel to my assistant a bunch of times and am not 100% sure if he deleted the alarms. Where are those alarms stored anyway ?!? Didn't see them in Google's Alarms app 🤔
Nice review! Wasn't sure if I even needed this but my local Walmart had these on clearance for $17 and it came with a Lenovo Smart Bulb!! I picked up 3 of them! Great review for an awesome purchase! Oh and thanks for setting a repeating alarm for every Monday! LOL
Hi!I have a few questions.1. If I bought a 5 year old Chromebook, would I still have 7-9 years of life?2. Are you sponsored with Lenovo, Acer, Samsung, Asus, ect? If so, could I have a link to the sponsorship forms?3. How did you start becoming popular?I'm a technology-RUclipsr too (Not as good as you though) I understand if this isn't possible, thanks so much!Your one of my favourite RUclipsrs!I watch you multiple times a day, thanks again!
Anyone know if you could easily set a re-occurring youtube music alarm? I can't stand waking up to an alarm and use the alarm function on my phone with youtube music instead.
I'm subscribed to YT Music, and my Insignia Voice Smart clock has been able to do that for years, I just ask Google to play such, and such band/artist/genare on weekdays/weekends at such, and such time, and it does so. Any Google/Nest Home compatible display/speaker can do that.
@@CommodoreFan64 good to know. I've had trouble getting it to work consistently in the past but that was months ago so maybe they've worked out the issues
Yes you can, I have the older Insignia smart clocks from Best Buy, and all you have to do same as any Google/Nest Home device with a screen of any kind is say Okay Google set screen Brightness to say 10%, and it will do it.
@@michelbasilieres5620 it's a shame as you to be able to do 1% brightness, at least on the insignia ones, and bluetooth, which has been disabled with the newer firmware updates.
Hello does it need to be plugged in to the powerline all the time? or can it be charged like other smart devices? Hope you could answer my question? Thanks.
Im not really feeling this clock. My biggest grip is it does not hear my voice unless i am only a few inches away from it. I have to lean over and speak directly into it. And even then, its wishy-washy if I speak in a normal voice, my google max in the living room hears me but not the clock. I set an alarm to wake me up this morning and nothing happened. Im taking this sucker back and giving the echo clock a try instead.
Where was this a few years ago when I was searching for a "modern" alarm clock? Everything I found was the same tech we'd used for decades, except lower quality. The only advice I found was "just use your phone", which I hate using as a clock. What I settled on was an offbrand Chinese device marketed as an internet radio, but was really just an Android tablet welded to some Bluetooth speakers. I side loaded a good alarm app onto it and have used it as my jank alarm clock ever since. Nice to see technology finally catch up with my sketchy Amazon jury-rig!
I just bought one of these on the Walmart sale. Mic seems to not pick up my wake commands very well. My Insignia is set to - 2 sensitivity while this Lenovo is maxed on the Home app, and the Insigna always answers. Or the actual Nest Hub a room away grabs answers. Do I have a bad unit or are the mics just not very good?
Yes. Just ask Google to set a "media alarm". Then it will ask you which type of media you want. You can ask for a playlist from your Spotify, RUclips music or online radio station etc. Then set the volume either by asking Google or within the Google Home app on your phone/tablet.
Know if there is a way to set your own alarm sound/tone/music? I've been digging around and couldn't find a way, which bums me out since I'm guessing that means it's not possible. For the price though, even if I go back to my phone, having another Google home device for $25 aint bad.
If it's anything like my Insignia Voice Smart Clock, then all you need to do is say "Okay Google set display brightness to X%, or to off", and it will do as such.
@@CommodoreFan64 that worked on my Insignia for about 3 months. Then it decided to not recognize numbers at percentages, and begin to only recognize 10's (10,20,30, etc.) Then it all completely stopped working and to this day no command works to change the brightness on my Insignia clock. So I pray to God this is nothing like that, it was horrible.
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?
You just set 100s of people an alarm for 7am. 😂
How?
Yep got me
Great, now I have alarms that I'm going to forget...
Alarm for gym
I was one of them lol
I just got this one 2 days ago and I'm loving it so far. It does everything I need it to do. Highly recommend if you don't mind it not having a touchscreen.
This looks really well done. Not everything needs an LCD display with hundreds of additional apps and functionalities. Aside from no backup battery for power outages (which I think I can DIY) this runs really well as an alarm clock with great google assistant INTEGRATION and not just having google run the alarms on the cloud (which would not work during internet loss) and actually has hardware integration for the alarm. I think I would actually prefer this over my nest hub.
I work at Walmart and we still have a ton left from the holidays and I've been looking for an alarm recently, to replace my phone to reduce phone activity in the morning. I'm buying this tomorrow
You really need to mute your "OK Google" commands in the video. We don't want a bunch of alarms going off at strange times!
Like for real! 😡
Yeah, yes please
Yes. Don’t be a dick. You should know better.
When he attempted to set my alarm, when Google was triggered, I just started saying STOP STOP STOP STOP while this dummkopf was talking. Alarms weren't set here.
@@daveschmarder-US1950 lol
'In my bedroom this is kind of an attractive package' 😁
Seriously though, if you were in the market for a clock it's a no brainer for 25 bucks
I've had 2 of the old Best Buy Insignia Voice Smart Clocks for years, so I have to agree these kind of Google/Nest assistants are perfect for bedrooms, and/or minimalist setups, as they don't disturb your sleep like a Google/Nest Home Hub would, and provide more information with the clock, alarm, and temp displays then a Google/Nest Mini speaker. Far as those complaining about you not muting the Okay Google commands they just need to either wear headphones, or just know to hit the mute switch on their devices before watching a video like this.
Just got one of these for my grandmother to swap her old ass flip number alarm clock. She absolutely loves it
Thanks for the review, but what’s the point off doing a review for the speaker, but not actually playing any music on that speaker - how is it the other reviewers are able to do that, without concerns over licenses?
It’s just an alarm clock, and a tiny speaker
"We got this thing all set up" -- WHY OFF CAMERA!? lOL. That's probably one thing a lot of people came here for.
For heavy sleepers I suggest to use both this clock and your phone as an alarm clock because this alarm is not that loud alone if you’re heavy sleeper. Please learn from my experience lol
thank you for not muting the hey google part of the auto....great fun having to keep stopping the video so i can tell my other google stuff to cancel.
Life hack: Watch on 1.5x speed and it won't set off your google devices
Damnit, Robbie! You just set a bunch of alarms for me! And you turned on all my lights while my wife was sleeping! Bleep out "ok, google"!
😁
I love my Lenovo Smart Clock, this will be a great buy no matter what
I have a Lenovo Smart Clock (the one with a touch screen) and I think it's overall superieur to this one, the screen can go quite dim, and you can just smash it to snooze it.
The screen can just provide a lot more information like listing the alarms all at once, or view the calendar. Also, it can visualize answers given by the Google assistant
Excellent review. Just ordered one of these. I had been thinking of jumping into smart devices with a speaker but also needed an alarm clock to replace my ancient (from the early 90's) sunbeam that is on its last legs.
*Throws out instructions
Him: Man I don’t know how any of this works
😂😂😂 love it
Why are none of these review videos playing the alarm sound. Like, THE MOST IMPORTANT PART OF AN ALARM CLOCK.
I have the older lenovo smart clock. Thing is pretty awesome. And the alarm function is loooooooud.
I have the older one as well and was thinking this might be an "upgrade" but the lack of changeable clock faces killed it for me. I have a simple digital clock I picked up from a thrift store for $5.
@@ajwalker4416 I like the changeable faces as well. I also like the face of the new one. But there really no need to upgrade since mine works fine.
@@davidblalock1709 Same. I watched the review/unboxing to see if it would offer anything new. Except for a cheaper price, the original seems the better buy. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Hi, I'm sorry to bother you with this question, but I am thinking of buying the older one too. Is slamming the top to stop/snooze working good? Does it always work?
@@JelmerHofman it can be a little difficult to turn off. Especially if your not ready for how loud it is. Lol.
The Ok google demos kept setting alarms on my google home!
im impressed by the new version. A stellar clock with a nice mediatek processor in it. Cant deny its amazing looks too.
One of the problems I have with using my Nest speakers as alarm clocks is that, very occasionally, the WiFi in the house will go off or a speaker will disconnect. This means that the speaker will not play the scheduled alarm and I will sleep in/miss the thing I set the alarm for.
Can you tell us whether the clock/alarm clock function will continue to operate autonomously of WiFi?
It keeps the alarms and they will go off even if you loose wifi / internet connection :)
Great point: OLED next to your bed is no bueno! Great review, great product. The nightlight function puts it over the top - I own one.
Came here to see if I should buy this or the other lenovo smart clock, definitely buying the other one.
Thank you very much
Great review, 2022 just bought for my 12 year old son for Christmas gift.
Look, I love your channel but could you PLEASE mute the "Hey Google" wake word when you are demonstrating products? PLEASE????? You're a Chrome/Android channel, you should do this as a service to your subscribers PLEASE.
And I'm assuming you can't change the clock face since you didn't mention or show any other clock faces? That's the only thing I would miss on the minimalist design.
That's for setting my home device for an alarm at 5 P.M..... Hey, Google it was just that dude from chrome unboxed...it ain't real.
XD
You can also just tell Google to turn it on and its the most amazing sound.
I literally just bought this at Walmart because it was the first alarm clock I saw because I've gotten used to muting my phone in my sleep
Great review! I have an iPhone and Apple watch but something that's a little more basic for alarms in the morning would be nice. Also the night light function is a nice idea to not be blinded by the iPhone display early in the morning. Tempted to pick one of these up..
Just bought one and i love the speaker. sounds crisp not that bassey.
This would be great if it had a projector. My wife and I can’t see much without our glasses so we have a clock that projects the time on the ceiling without lighting up the entire room.
what clock might that be if i may ask ?
Thanks looks like I am getting one and have to wake up at 7 am 🤣🤣
Would have appreciated hearing more about the music function. Good speaker? Radio? What is the source of music? Don't blame copyrght issues for telling us nothing at all.
Its a google assistant speaker means it will play the app you associate it with when you set up and if you dont use any of the apps available you will get a basic youtube music experience also you can set it up as a Bluetooth speaker to play music stored on another device.there is nothing built in the speaker that plays music no radio
PLEASE stop saying, "Hey Google" in your videos, you set alarms on MY Google Homes!
Do you think it can play FM radio? I would feel that alarm clock nostalgia
It can through the smart speaker/Google Assistant function! It's gonna operate very similar to how Google Home/Nest Mini operates.
This device is flawless!
So this is a newer version of the original 1st generation, but cheaper with no touch screen.
I like the hardware design. It's great that Google are making cheaper devices for those who don't want to spend much on just a bedside clock.
I still love my 1st generation version.
Where is it sold for $25? On Lenovo website it says it starts at $49.99???
Yeah??!
Looks like Best Buy has it for $30 (link is in the description). Not sure where you can get it for less yet.
Because of your channel i bought the lenovo chromebook duet and i an loving it
Review starts at 5:00
Questions:
- does it have a battery backup?
- what alarm sounds does it have? (the last one needed a huge alarm beeper update!)
- does it support music wake up? (Spotify, etc) incl playlists?
No they don't have battery backup, that's why he clearly said in the video as a backup to your phone, if the internet goes out they don't work either. so again as backup to your phone, I always set my phone 10 minutes after my Google/Nest home devices.
Do you have to get google home in order for it to work?
Can u connect it to RUclips and listen to music using Bluetooth
Yes
Great! now I have an alarm set for 5pm tomorrow! 🤐🤐🤐
Wish you would have talked about how the audio quality of the speaker is. Seems like something you thought was important at the beginning of the video.
This review is good! Here are some issues i feel need to be fixed in future iterations of the product:
- Hardware keys to connect remote bluetooth music
- Scratch easy screen
- Load delay during startup (when wifi is not available), same problem with the Lenovo Smart Clock
- At least a 1000mah power backup should be there by default in all smart clocks (gives at least 1-2 hours backup without music, because music speakers come with power backup), power backup for music ringtone and clock is a must.
Ditto James Baker... my nest mini now has a couple new alarms set...
Can it be used as a Chromecast audio?
Great video and the dual mics definitely work because it set my alarm for 7am😂
Informative review, thanks
This has now been discontinued here. My local PC store had one left in stock, discounted to about $63 so I bit the bullet and claimed it. I had some store points anyway so it wasn't so painful!
This turned out not to be the Eseesntial but the model with a touch-screen and better speaker! I'm more than satisfied!
Thanks Robby for setting some alarms on my Google Home. LOL
Nice review, does it have a Mic off switch? If not could be a pain if you have 1 each side of the bed his and hers
Just got one, yes it does have a mute mic switch on the back of the clock
Just bought this for $10 at Walmart on clearance.
Why can't you silence out the hey Google when you are setting alarms? Really irritating as it set alarms on my nest
*Automatically ignores the manual*
I don't know this, I don't know that...
Dude! I thought you edited the videos before posting to remove the "ok google" keywords ?!?! I had to say cancel to my assistant a bunch of times and am not 100% sure if he deleted the alarms. Where are those alarms stored anyway ?!? Didn't see them in Google's Alarms app 🤔
Dear RUclipsr: Stop saying: Hey Google
Nice review! Wasn't sure if I even needed this but my local Walmart had these on clearance for $17 and it came with a Lenovo Smart Bulb!! I picked up 3 of them! Great review for an awesome purchase! Oh and thanks for setting a repeating alarm for every Monday! LOL
Well dang. It’s online for $30 and that’s why I’m looking.
How difficult was it to set up Lenov? Why miss the most important part of the video
just to add - you can set few things as well via Google home app
To turn off alarm in morning, I'm sure you can voice stop alarm. But is there a button on top to stop alarm in morning? Thanks for video !!
Hi!I have a few questions.1. If I bought a 5 year old Chromebook, would I still have 7-9 years of life?2. Are you sponsored with Lenovo, Acer, Samsung, Asus, ect? If so, could I have a link to the sponsorship forms?3. How did you start becoming popular?I'm a technology-RUclipsr too (Not as good as you though) I understand if this isn't possible, thanks so much!Your one of my favourite RUclipsrs!I watch you multiple times a day, thanks again!
Yes finally cool design alarm with Alarm and weather temperature screw amazon echo expensive for no reason
Does it sound better than the google mini?
Anyone know if you could easily set a re-occurring youtube music alarm? I can't stand waking up to an alarm and use the alarm function on my phone with youtube music instead.
I'm subscribed to YT Music, and my Insignia Voice Smart clock has been able to do that for years, I just ask Google to play such, and such band/artist/genare on weekdays/weekends at such, and such time, and it does so. Any Google/Nest Home compatible display/speaker can do that.
@@CommodoreFan64 good to know. I've had trouble getting it to work consistently in the past but that was months ago so maybe they've worked out the issues
thank you for setting me alarm for 7am hahaha..my hub is next to chromebook haha
You didn't go over the display brightness? Can you change that brightness? Is it really bright at night, I don't like bright lights.
Yes you can, I have the older Insignia smart clocks from Best Buy, and all you have to do same as any Google/Nest Home device with a screen of any kind is say Okay Google set screen Brightness to say 10%, and it will do it.
lowest I could get was 10%, still way too bright.
@@michelbasilieres5620 it's a shame as you to be able to do 1% brightness, at least on the insignia ones, and bluetooth, which has been disabled with the newer firmware updates.
@@michelbasilieres5620 Thanks! This is what I figured.
This to me looks like a better option than nest mini.
What happens if there is a power failure? Does the clock have any battery back up, and what happens to the alarm settings?
It does for alarm
you can dim display as well
Hello does it need to be plugged in to the powerline all the time? or can it be charged like other smart devices? Hope you could answer my question? Thanks.
does it support Bluetooth?
What do you if the clock will will not display the numbers just lines😊
Happy Birthday Robby 😃
Im not really feeling this clock. My biggest grip is it does not hear my voice unless i am only a few inches away from it. I have to lean over and speak directly into it. And even then, its wishy-washy if I speak in a normal voice, my google max in the living room hears me but not the clock. I set an alarm to wake me up this morning and nothing happened. Im taking this sucker back and giving the echo clock a try instead.
Hello, I know you guys may not see this comment But can you guys review the Lenovo 300e chromebook?
Does alarm still Work if internet is down ?
So, uh... just not gonna discuss the alarm part of the alarm clock, huh?
You should start muting "Hey, Google" in your videos. It's very annoying when my speakers pick it up.
is there any way to change the actual sound of the alarm, or make the alarm play music??
Where was this a few years ago when I was searching for a "modern" alarm clock? Everything I found was the same tech we'd used for decades, except lower quality. The only advice I found was "just use your phone", which I hate using as a clock. What I settled on was an offbrand Chinese device marketed as an internet radio, but was really just an Android tablet welded to some Bluetooth speakers. I side loaded a good alarm app onto it and have used it as my jank alarm clock ever since. Nice to see technology finally catch up with my sketchy Amazon jury-rig!
What alarm tones / sounds can you set?
Is there gonna be a review on the new pixel phones???
I just bought one of these on the Walmart sale. Mic seems to not pick up my wake commands very well. My Insignia is set to - 2 sensitivity while this Lenovo is maxed on the Home app, and the Insigna always answers. Or the actual Nest Hub a room away grabs answers. Do I have a bad unit or are the mics just not very good?
Hi,do you know how to make Samsung music the default music player? It defaults to RUclips music,constant ads etc! Cheers
you have to do that in the assistant settings.
Thank you
Is it possible to change the ringtone for an mp3 song on the alarm clock or not?
Yes. Just ask Google to set a "media alarm". Then it will ask you which type of media you want. You can ask for a playlist from your Spotify, RUclips music or online radio station etc. Then set the volume either by asking Google or within the Google Home app on your phone/tablet.
I got the orginal lenovo smart clock for $20
Is the clockface dimmable?
Yes it is. You can tell it with voice commands to dim the screen brightness. You can also turn it off completely.
Is there a way to fix audio lag when casting from a chromebook to a google home device?
Can you still buy these now? Im in the uk. Can't find one anywhere.
Know if there is a way to set your own alarm sound/tone/music? I've been digging around and couldn't find a way, which bums me out since I'm guessing that means it's not possible. For the price though, even if I go back to my phone, having another Google home device for $25 aint bad.
Is it worth it ? I might order one from walmart
Bought mine for 12.17$ today because I work at lowes.
Can you change the display brightness?
If it's anything like my Insignia Voice Smart Clock, then all you need to do is say "Okay Google set display brightness to X%, or to off", and it will do as such.
@@CommodoreFan64 that worked on my Insignia for about 3 months. Then it decided to not recognize numbers at percentages, and begin to only recognize 10's (10,20,30, etc.) Then it all completely stopped working and to this day no command works to change the brightness on my Insignia clock. So I pray to God this is nothing like that, it was horrible.
So can you set an alarm on your iphone google app? I don’t really want to set my alarm by talking to it…?
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?