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Echo spot daylight alarm clock11/29/2023 If you have a lot of Nest and Google devices and want to be able to control them with your bedside clock, then the Lenovo Smart Clock is the only way to go - the Spot just won’t be compatible with them. So, which device does this favor? That depends on what your smart home looks like. It’s especially unlikely that Google will encourage compatibility with rivals like Amazon and Alexa. But, citing privacy concerns, Google has warned that the new requirements will be very strict and that there’s no guarantee any company will be able to work with Nest products again. In the coming years, companies will be able to sign up for certification for Google’s replacement option, a compatibility program with Google Assistant. Part of this new strategy is ending all past Nest compatibility with thousands of companies. Smart Device Compatibility Bill Roberson/Digital TrendsĪs we have noted, Google’s 2019 plans include a full revamping of the Nest brand and its smart device connections. The Echo Spot, meanwhile, has video chat capabilities that the Smart Clock does not offer. The Lenovo Smart Clock, for example, comes with a USB port in the back for charging your phone, something the Spot doesn’t have. However, a couple differences do stand out. Both even have mute buttons if you prefer to add an extra layer of privacy and don’t plan on using voice commands at the moment. You can control smart devices, play music, ask for forecasts, get agenda reminders, and so on. The Spot offers similar capabilities, but from the Alexa side. That includes listening to the radio, playing videos from Chromecast, and much more. The important thing to know about the Smart Clock is that it can do pretty much anything Google Assistant can do. However, you can create such scenes with the Echo Spot as well (more on this in the compatibility section). For example, setting an alarm on the clock can be tied with a report on the weather, adjusting a Nest Thermostat, displaying commute conditions, and giving you personal agenda notes for the day. Lenovo makes a big deal about the Smart Clock’s ability to set scenes. Both are available in a variety of accents and languages - although only Google Assistant allows you to switch between a male and female voice.įor a closer look at what specific streaming services the assistants support, we suggest you c heck out our full article comparing them. Both can show videos and answer questions. They are both very good at understanding what you want. In practice, there’s very little difference in how you interact with either voice assistant, whether you are saying “Hey, Google” or “Alexa” to start them up. Lenovo’s Smart Clock uses Google Assistant, and the Echo Spot uses Alexa. Voice Assistants Bill Roberson/Digital Trends The Smart Clock, meanwhile, isn’t headphone-friendly, but can handle music on its own. The Spot comes with a 3.5mm headphone jack and really isn’t designed for listening to music on its own. It may not be the best sound ever, but it handily outclasses the small 2-watt speaker that the Echo Spot uses. The Smart Clock easily wins the speaker competition with its 6-watt speaker and two radiators. Overall, the Smart Clock does a better job here. Otherwise, it doesn’t provide many benefits and looks a little weird when you try to watch video or look at photos. This screen is a bit more subtle, and definitely a better shape for traditional clock hands. The Echo Spot, on the other hand, uses an even smaller 2.5-inch round screen to show clock faces and information. A benefit to this screen shape is that it’s much more natural for viewing video or family photos, as small as they may be. A screen this small has limits, but it’s great for checking the time or looking at weather information. The Smart Clock has a simple, rectangular, 4-inch touchscreen. Both versions require a near-at-hand outlet connection to work, so keep that in mind when finding the right spot. One last point about the design of these clocks: While promotional materials from both brands show the clocks sitting by themselves as if they use rechargeable batteries, in fact they do not. Both designs work, but the Spot offers a little less overall. There’s not as much room for the speakers on this model, but it can fit more easily in smaller spaces if that’s an important requirement (very shallow shelves, for example). The Echo Spot, meanwhile, has a smaller, round design with a round display.
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