‘OK Google, I’m awake!’ | Daily Mail Online

‘OK Google, I’m awake!’

By Rob Waugh Event for The Mail on Sunday

Published: 22:03 BST, 22 June 2019 | Updated: 22:03 BST, 22 June 2019

Lenovo Smart Clock

£79.99, lenovo.com 

There’s something very sci-fi about being woken up by a gently brightening light, then a robot voice telling you the weather and if there’s been a nuclear war overnight.

I can’t quite decide, though, whether it’s ‘good’ sci-fi (like jet-packs and robot servants) or faintly alarming.

‘Smart’ alarm clocks are becoming a thing, with Lenovo’s Smart Clock far from the first on offer

One thing is certain: it’s not ideal if you share a bed with a partner who gets up later than you. I’ve now started several mornings to the sound of my wife yelling: ‘OK Google, shut up!’

‘Smart’ alarm clocks are becoming a thing, with Lenovo’s Smart Clock far from the first on offer. It’s not much bigger than a traditional alarm, but with Google Assistant voice control built in. You can also use it to play music or, say, ask Google to read you a story (if you’re in the mood for a bizarre children’s fairy tale read out by a lifeless android voice).

The Lenovo Smart Clock is not ideal if you share a bed with a partner who gets up later than you. I’ve now started several mornings to the sound of my wife yelling: ‘OK Google, shut up!’

You can set the screen so it slowly brightens up over 30 minutes, but it’s otherwise fairly thin on functions: basically, it’s just a Google Home speaker with a few clock faces. There’s also no digital photo frame function.

But while it’s bare bones, it’s also decent value: the screen makes it a better option than Google’s Home Mini, and it’s not much more expensive. Plus, of course, you get to yell ‘Shut up’ at your alarm clock, which can’t be bad.

 

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