We are fans of smart displays here on the WIRED Gear. They allow you to watch videos or news clips, walk step-by-step through recipes, show photos, play music, or ask questions with screens of different sizes to meet your needs. Lenovo’s smart watch (which we rate 7/10) is our bedroom favorite.
The smartwatch typically sells for $ 80, which is already at the low end of the price of smart displays, and is now on sale for $ 50 at Best Buy and Walmart.
If you have been considering it, it is a good time to buy. It is also a good smart first screen, if you are not sure how many screens you want to add to your life.
Of the smart assistants, we prefer Google over Amazon’s Alexa. Devices powered by Google are easier to set up, answer questions better, and can perform most other basic functions. They also include the ability to stream Chromecast video or audio, or “stream” it from your phone’s app to a device. Assistant also supports a ton of other smart speakers and smart displays, like this Lenovo.
A nightstand companion
Lenovo Smart Clock can do almost anything other Google Assistant devices can do, but it has a smaller 4-inch screen (bedside table size) and a nice fabric cover to match its aesthetics. The screen can be darkened enough so you can sleep close to you, and you can set morning and night routines, like listening to the news, traffic, and weather for the next day, or dimming the lights and closing the doors while you settle in. at night (assuming you have smart locks and lights). The clock face and alarm functions are also customizable. A mute button is important on any smart device, but especially for a place as private as the bedroom, and this smart watch includes that feature. And there’s no camera to worry about here either.
If you want to watch videos on a larger screen, you can stream them to your bedroom TV via Chromecast. Plus, a USB port on the back can charge your phone, so there are fewer cables hanging from your nightstand.
If you’re still unsure, check out our other smart screen picks. We also have options for our favorite smart speakers of all kinds, and our options for speakers powered by Google and Amazon Alexa speakers.
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