Smart Nightstand

Winding the bedside alarm clock. Waking up to its raucous sound and pushing the snooze button for an extra forty winks.... these are the rituals of a century gone by. Today, we can slide into sleep, or wake up, in gentler ways, thanks to the technology of smart speakers. There are two options here: Amazon's Alexa and Google's Assistant -- and Lenovo has plumped for the latter to fuel its first Smart Clock. Smart move. Because with all virtual assistants, the quality of response depends on the depth and size of the knowledge base at the back -- and Google's search engine, is the biggest of them all.

Once connected to a power outlet and synced to the Google Home app on your phone or tablet, the smart clock functions like any Google Home speaker, answering your "Ok, Google!" queries and controlling things like home lighting, security cameras and baby alarm etc. Yet the DNA of this device is rooted in timekeeping, so it offers modes that let you say "Goodnight" to dim the display, turn down the volume and play your favourite sleep-inducing sounds. It wakes you any way you please. But I liked best, the fact that you can stop the alarm by simply saying "Stop".

Tech-wise, the Lenovo Smart Clock has a 4-inch touch screen that displays the time by default unless you programme it to show the weather or your appointments for the day. The 6-watt speaker is adequate to pick up your sleep slurred commands and you can turn off its listening mode. The fact that there is no camera, I would consider plus point in these days of privacy concerns. For the asking price of Rs 5999, you get much, much, more than a mere clock.

--IndiaTechOnline