Acer’s Nitro 5 for 2021 was launched a little earlier in the year. That was the AMD Ryzen variant though. At the same time, the entry-level gaming laptop stepped out of the ‘entry-level’ segment and started becoming a high-end gaming PC the moment they fitted an AMD Ryzen 9 5900H and an NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3080 mobile GPU into the build.
That is not to say that Acer is abandoning the entry-level gaming laptop market though. The Nitro 5’s configuration choice is a testament to the segment. You can opt for an AMD Ryzen 5 processor, for example, to be paired to an NVIDIA GeForce GTX 1650. Still, there is an option missing from the Nitro 5 line-up. Until now that is.
The option we were referring to is the Intel variant of the Acer Nitro 5. After all, the Acer Nitro 5 of the past has always been Intel powered. In that sense, the update should come as no surprise. The only surprise though is the options that you get from the Acer Nitro 5 intel edition.
Source: Acer
The latest addition to the Acer Nitro 5 family in 2021 is powered by an 11th Generation Intel Core i7-11800H (up to). Considering that the latest Intel Core i7 is the most powerful mobile platform chip based on Intel’s latest 10nm process, you are getting a lot of power for your money here still. The Processor is also paired with a potent NVIDIA GeForce RTX 3060 for good measure.
Processing power aside, you do need ample RAM and storage size to fully take advantage of a gaming laptop. For that you get up to 16GB of RAM from the Acer Nitro 5 for all kinds of creative and gaming purposes. You also get 512GB in SSD storage for speedy access to all your applications. There is an additional 2.5” SATA slot, if you want more storage for your Nitro 5. If you want to, you can also upgrade your RAM to top out at 32GB.
All these things are housed in a familiar body with a slightly redesigned display shell, for easy identification we suppose. You get a 4-zone RGB keyboard that you can easily recognise from the AMD variant Acer Nitro 5, nothing new there. You also still get WiFi 6 capability with Killer Ethernet E2600 support for smooth and stable online gaming experience.
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Source: Acer
Unlike the AMD counterpart, the Intel powered Acer Nitro 5 only comes in two flavours though. You can choose between the more powerful Intel Core i7-11800H paired with a 16GB RAM variant and a more moderate Intel Core i5-11400H with 8GB of RAM. The Inte Core i7 variant is now available at Acer official online store, Acer’s official Shopee store, and Acer’s officially Lazada store for MYR 5,699. Every purchase made between now and 9th July 2021 will come with a free Acer Gateway FAE-i5 pro Wireless Earphones (MYR 239).
If you are on a budget and planning to get the Acer Nitro 5 with Intel’s Core i5-11400H with 8GB RAM instead, it will set you back MYR 4,799. It will only be available in Malaysia at the end of July 2021 though. For more information on Acer’s Nitro 5, do visit Acer’s website.
Apple’s M1 chip for their Mac platform has been around for nearly eight months now. At the same time, while there is a growth for apps that natively supports the M1 chip, it has been a little slow in adoption from major app developers. At least there is some good news today though.
There are a few reasons why app developers want to develop apps that natively supports the M1 chip. Due to the unique architecture of Apple’s silicon, apps need to behave a little differently to take advantage of the chip’s power. In some sense, apps for the Mac have to be developed to work very much like mobile apps, but more feature rich than one.
This means that regular apps you usually see for your PC and regular Intel or AMD powered Mac, while runs on an M1 variant Mac, will run a little slower with more noticeable lags. This is also something you will see on regular PC apps running on other ARM based chips like the Qualcomm Compute platform. To ensure that the apps behave as they are designed to, they have to reengineer their apps a little bit to optimise its running processes for the ARM architecture-based chips.
Today is one of those days that another major app developer jumps on board of the M1 train. Spotify has just released a new Beta app with native support for Apple’s M1 silicon. For Spotify users currently on M1 Macs, that should mean a major improvement in the apps experience on their Macs.
To be fair, the Beta release should not come as a huge surprise. Users have been asking Spotify to release an M1 supported Spotify app since the M1 chips launched into the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, Mac Mini, and iMac. The native support should mean that the app runs a lot smoother and faster, on top of being a little bit more stable on M1 chips.
It is still in Beta though, which also means that you can expect some hiccups from time to time. In that case, you might want to report all sorts of bugs you will encounter in your experience so that Spotify can rectify as much as possible before the app goes full prime time. According to their own Spotify community post, they would also like to hear from users if their app works nicely.
You can download the Spotify Beta version for M1 based Mac devices on their website. Their community page post also features some instructions on how to get the Beta app up and running. You can easily go back to the regular version too, if you are not too keen with the Beta app by simply downloading the app from their website regularly.
It has been nearly a month since Google’s I/O keynote. In that same time, we were reeling back from the shock we got from the keynote itself about Google and Samsung joining hands to co-develop Android Wear moving forward. That announcement also means that Samsung is abandoning their Tizen OS for future Galaxy Watches. It also seems like Samsung might give up on the idea of their own unique looking UI on their smart watches with the announcement. Now, it does not seem so.
They call it the One UI, and yes, it is based on Google’s Android Wear UI. At least according to Samsung, One UI is developed and built jointly with Google for the Galaxy Watch platform. It is meant to be a unified platform that combines the best of both Google’s wearable platform and Samsung’s Watch platform.
All this is meant to create a Galaxy Watch experience that is familiar but somewhat new to users. But at the same time, the new One UI platform is designed to be more integrated with your Android smartphones as well. That also means that you get a more unified experience between your smartphone and your Galaxy Watch.
Source: Samsung
With the new One UI, the Galaxy Watch responds almost simultaneously with your Android smartphone. For example, if you change the information you want on your clock app on your smartphone, the changes will be reflected on your Watch as well. When you download apps with a complementing app for the Watch, your Watch downloads and installs the complementing apps at the same time too. When you block calls or messages from your smartphone, that gets directly translated on your Watch as well.
The biggest difference between the older Tizen OS powered Galaxy Watch and the new upcoming One UI powered Galaxy Watch is where you get your apps. One UI gets all its apps from Google’s trusty Play store. That should be good news to Galaxy Watch users though. It means you get access to popular apps like Google Maps, and YouTube music, finally.
Samsung is not the only one that gets the benefits of this partnership though. Samsung is bringing their clever watch face design tool for developers into the Android Wear ecosystem. That also means that designing watch faces for Android Wear is even easier now. More watch faces is always better, especially if you can get great looking watch faces from the Galaxy Watch ecosystem.
Source: Samsung
Of course, the new One Ui unified platform from the Samsung and Google partnership will be featured in the new upcoming Samsung Galaxy Watch device. The full functionalities of One UI will also be announced and showcased in the upcoming Samsung Unpacked event. There are already leaks of how the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 floating around on the internet, and all of those gets us more excited about Samsung’s Galaxy Watch 4 that is coming soon.
Without realising it, we have been doing our podcast for more than a year now. At the same time, we have been recording our podcasts from home for most of it as well. We could not have done it without our supporting listeners and audiences. We also could not have done it without the things we used to do the podcasts.
For the podcasts we have recorded in the past year or so, we have been relying on a lot of equipment. One of the most important things to work with in a podcast is our mics. While we have a more elaborate set-up in the office, we work with a more plug-and-play set-up at home, a certain Razer Seiren Mini. At MYR 249 retail, these are not exactly the most expensive or even the best set-up for both streaming and podcasting. Thing is, it is good enough to work with and it sounds stellar enough for our podcasts.
For PC we are using a Dell Gaming G15 gaming laptop with Intel’s 10th Generation Core i7 processor. Accompanying the Intel Core i7 processor is a powerful NVIDIA GeForce RTX 2060 GPU to handle all kinds of rendering work, including audio rendering. For all our podcast, we have been working on Adobe’s Audition app. Everything about how we produced the majority of our podcast on this episode of Tech & Tonic.
Zoom just made an announcement earlier today that they will be acquiring Karlsruhe Information Technology Solutions (KITeS). While an acquisition of another firm may not sound like much, this is a significant acquisition for Zoom. This acquisition should improve the experience and the interface that is Zoom.
Zoom has been an immensely popular platform since its rise in the recent pandemic situation. In the situation that is the COVID-19 pandemic, most of us are driven to work-from-home measures. That also means that communication with your colleagues and friends are limited to phone calls, online chat platforms, mobile text messaging, and video calls for more intimacy. Hence, the boom in Zoom’s popularity last year.
The company has also been facing plenty of challenges and criticisms when it comes to its user friendliness and, most of all, the platform’s overall security. Of course, the ever so popular video conferencing solutions provider responded to all the security issues pointed out by its users as swiftly as they can. Most of the issues have been rectified, according to Zoom.
The pursuit to the best video conferencing experience is a never ending one for the likes of Zoom though. Recently, Cisco’s Webex have been updated with new interfaces and features. One of the includes a live transcription and even instant highlights of the video call with the help of a clever integrated Artificial Intelligence (AI).
KITeS is a developer of a real-time translation and transcription software, or AI. In some ways, the technology that KITeS is working on mimics the capabilities that Google wants for its Google Translate software except that everything is sort of integrated. At the same time, the technology does sound promising for companies like Zoom.
Source: Zoom
Zoom already has their own real-time transcription algorithm integrated within Zoom though. The only issue with the real-time transcription function in Zoom is that it only works with English and no other languages. That is the problem that Zoom’s latest acquisition looks to solve.
With the acquisition of KITeS, Zoom hopes to integrate their clever AI into their video conferencing app to ensure that real-time transcriptions are more accurate than before. On top of that Zoom hopes that the AI would also allow real-time translations from other languages to eliminate the language barriers altogether in international video conferencing.
Zoom did not provide a timeline to when the said functions would make it to Zoom. We also know that Zoom will not be the only video conferencing solutions provider that is looking to integrate more accurate real-time transcription and translation functions in their app. Platforms like Google Meets has already integrated real-time translations into the platform thanks to their clever Google Translate. Microsoft’s Translate algorithm is also integrated into Microsoft Teams, if you are wondering.
Zoom is available for free on all major computing and mobile platforms in the world. Of course, free membership also means limited access to Zoom’s functions. Free membership also means that your video calls are only limited to 40 minutes at a time. Paid subscriptions range from US$ 14.99 a month to US$ 19.99 a month with differing access to features in Zoom. You can find more information on Zoom in their https://zoom.us/.
Lenovo is no stranger to creating solutions for mobile work. Their new ThinkVision lineup takes a step in empowering working from anywhere. The new lineup is not just made of traditional monitors but also mobile ones that allow users to complement their workflow with an extra display. In fact, the new lineup could be the perfect complement for the new ThinkPad X1 Extreme.
Their biggest champion for work from anywhere is the new ThinkVision M15 mobile monitor. It’s the most portable and versatile monitor from Lenovo to date. The monitor comes with 15.6 inches of visual real estate. It has a 13.3-inch, Full HD resolution display. The ThinkVision M15 can also be height adjusted for ergonomics. It connects with a single USB type C cable. The monitor also doesn’t take away from connectivity; in fact, it extends it with 2 USB Type C on the body. It can be powered by a 65W power source via USB Type C or simply with a single USB-C cable from a laptop. The external monitor weighs only 0.86kg.
Together with the portable monitor, Lenovo also announced a larger, fixed monitor built for those who want a fixed workspace. The Lenovo ThinkVision T24m-20 is a one cable monitor solution. It can connect via a single USB-C cable and supports power delivery of up to 90W via USB-C. It comes with an array of ports that can be used to daisy chain monitors or extend your connectivity. The 23.8-inch ThinkVision comes with Full HD resolution. It also features Lenovo’s Colour Display Centre software – ThinkColor – which allows you to customise your experience via a simple point-and-click interface.
To complete the line up, Lenovo also announced a new ThinkVision webcam. The new Lenovo ThinkVision MC50 Monitor Webcam is a Full HD solution with built-in microphones. It’s built to complete your setup with a versatile webcam for your video conferencing needs. It comes with dual noise cancelling microphones to ensure that audio pick up is crisp. It also has an red light to indicate if it is turned on. The webcam is plug-and-play not requiring any additional software. It’s also able to tilt and swivel allowing you to adjust just the camera for your setup.
The current pandemic has spurred a revolution in the way we work. The new work from home arrangements may not ever go away instead many experts predict a significant part of the workforce will continue to work from home; or rather anywhere. Video conferences and virtual meetings may be the new norm in the workplace. With that in mind, Dell is introducing their new UltraSharp Webcam.
Dell is looking to give users the best front of screen experience with their first 4K UltraSharp Webcam. The company has poured its R&D into developing an external webcam imbued with nine patent-pending technologies and AI. The company drew inspiration from DSLR cameras aspiring to bring the same quality to a webcam.
To achieve that quality, the company started with the lens and equipped the Dell UltraSharp Webcam with a large 4K Sony STARVIS CMOS sensor complemented with a multi-element lens. This allows the camera to capture more light and detail. With the main hardware covered, they worked on imbuing the camera with software that would help draw out the best video quality. The Dell UltraSharp Webcam comes with Digital Overlap HDR which assists it to capture and reproduce true-to-life images – even in low light.
They also include a variety of AI-assisted technologies that help make sure you’re always the focus. The highlight of which is the auto-framing feature. The feature keeps you in focus and centred all the time. It shifts the frame slowly to ensure that people viewing the video feed don’t feel disoriented by the camera movement. The webcam also comes with software that allows users to choose from 65°, 78° and 90° fields of view to suit their environment and up to 5x digital zoom.
The Dell UltraSharp Webcam also integrates seamlessly with software. The IR sensor embedded in the camera allows it to work with Windows Hello to allow seamless logins. It also comes with Dell’s ExpressSign-in technology to work in concert with Dell PCs. With ExpressSign-in, Dell PCs automatically log users out when they step away from the computer by using the proximity sensors in the webcam. Keeping privacy at the core, the webcam also comes with a magnetic cover to make sure the camera isn’t seeing anything.
All of these technologies come in a sleek, cylindrical body made of aluminium. It also comes with a magnetic mount and tripod that allow users to transition seamlessly between mounting it on their monitors or a tripod.
Pricing & Availability
The Dell UltraSharp Webcam (WB7022) will be available on Dell’s website soon. It will be priced at MYR1,112 in Malaysia and USD$199.99 worldwide.
Lenovo has been one of the only manufacturers actively releasing tablets in the Android space. This year, the company is updating and diversifying their offerings with a slew of new tablets. Each line up addresses a unique niche with features that not not only address the need but also up their design ante.
Entertain, Create and Be Productive with the New Lenovo Yoga Tab Lineup
The Lenovo Yoga Tab series has always been Lenovo’s go to when it comes to pushing the boundaries of entertainment. The new lineup of the Yoga Tab series continues to inherit the sleek design and curves of the Yoga Tabs of the past. However, this year, the new entries: the Yoga Tab 11 and Yoga Tab 13 come with the lineup’s signature design which resembles a folded magazine or book. This year it’s paired with a large display and specifications which gear the tablets to be one of the most versatile tablets in the Yoga Tab lineup.
The Lenovo Yoga Tab 13 comes packed with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 870 mobile platform paired with 8GB of RAM. The Octa-core processor is able to process data at up to 3.2GHz of speed. It also has 128GB or 256GB of internal storage. It comes with a Dolby Vision certified 13-inch LTPS display with a WQHD resolution of 2160×1350 pixels. The display has a 60Hz refresh rate with 400 nits peak brightness. The screen is complemented with Quad JBL speakers with a 5cc audio chamber and Dolby Atmos certification and Lenovo’s Premium Audio Solution. It has 3 microphones for video calling and recording audio. The Tab is powered with a 10,000mAh battery with up to 12 hours of video playback at 1080p. Topping up charge shouldn’t be a problem with 30W quick charge.
The smaller Yoga Tab 11 comes with a smaller 11-inch LCD display with a WUXGA resolution of 2000×1200 pixels. It comes in two memory configurations: 8GB RAM and 256GB onboard memory and 4GB of RAM and 128GB of onboard memory. Both run on the MediaTek Helio G90T processor. Similar to its larger sibling, the Yoga Tab 11 comes with Quad JBL speakers and all the extras. However, it comes with a dual-mic configuration. It also comes with a 7,500mAh battery with up to 15 hours of video playback and support for 20W quick charge. Both support the Lenovo Precision Pen 2. You’ll be able to use the built-in kickstand to get the tablets in the best orientation for your artistic endeavours.
Versatility with the New Lenovo Tab P11 Plus & 3rd Generation Tab M series
Lenovo is buffing up its Tab portfolio with the new Lenovo Tab P11 which is powered by the same MediaTek Helio G90T which powered the smaller Yoga Tab 11. It comes paired with up to 6GB of RAM and up to 128GB of internal memory. The front is emblazoned by an 11-inch IPS LCD display with a 2K resolution and 60Hz refresh rate. It has a dual microphone array with Smart Voice DSP with Dolby Atmos optimised speakers. It also comes with up to 12 hours of video playback powered by a 7,500mAh battery with 20W quick charge support.
Together with the Pad 11 Plus, Lenovo is introducing the third generation of the Lenovo Tab M7 and Tab M8. The two new entries into Lenovo’s mainstream tablet lineup bring a new, empowered approach to their tablets. They make one of the best entertainment experience on a tablet available at a more affordable price. They come with a 7- and 8-inch IPS screen respectively. The smaller M7 comes with an resolution of 1024×600 pixels while the M8 HD resolution of 1280×800 pixels. Both are powered by MediaTek processors.
Pricing & Availability
MalaysiaAvailability
MalaysiaPrice starting from
Global Availability
Global Price from (VAT included)
Yoga Tab 13
TBC
TBC
June 2021
€799
Yoga Tab 11
TBC
TBC
July 2021
€349
Lenovo Tab P11 Plus
Sept 2021
RM1,799
July 2021
€299
Lenovo Smart Clock 2 with Google Assistant
TBC
TBC
August 2021
€89.99
Lenovo Tab M7 (3rd Gen)
July 2021
RM549
June 2021
€119
Lenovo Tab M8 (3rd Gen)
January 2022
TBC
January 2022
TBC
Official Specifications
Lenovo Yoga Tab 13
Processor
Snapdragon 870 Mobile Platform, Octa-Core, up to 3.2GHz
Windows 11 was just announced by Microsoft last week. Before the launch though, the new biggest update to the most popular computing Operating System in the world was endlessly teased and leaked. From what we saw too, Microsoft’s Windows 11 is a huge departure from Windows 10 in terms of looks and design.
Centered Task Bar and Redesigned Start Menu
Source: Microsoft
But Windows 11 is more than just a cosmetic change over Windows 10. Then again, when we say it is a major visual change over Windows 10, it was more of a rearrangement on how Windows look and work. For one, Windows 11’s task bar is now centered rather than being aligned to the left of the desktop.
Thing is, the changes on Windows 11 is more than skin deep. The Windows Start menu is still lodged at the leftmost side of the taskbar. It is redesigned though to open up to a bigger window. Gone are the live tiles too which also means less clutter in the start menu.
The focus on the Start menu is more productivity and convenience for users than ever. That is also why you can pin apps on the menu with recommended apps. Of course, you still can access all apps from the start menu, but it is an extra process this time. Less clutter and items on the start menu also means that it is easier and quicker to find things you usually work with from the start menu. Of course, you can still pin all your shortcuts on the Desktop home page.
The centered taskbar though is a clever way to make Windows 11 more touch friendly. The Microsoft Windows interface is notorious for not being the most touch friendly interface in the world. Even Windows 10, the most touch friendly interface of all the Windows versions before it fell a little short even when a stylus is involved.
Multitasking Redefined
Source: Microsoft
Windows 10 did something right though; Microsoft’s Windows 10 got multitasking done right. When you bring a window to different ends of your screen, the window snaps to smaller windows to allow you to fit two to four windows on a single display. Windows laptops can push up to three displays including its own, which also means you can fit up to 12 windows for even more multitasking.
Windows 11 expands on the multitasking capabilities of Windows 10. It is now easier ever to arrange your windows to parts of your display. Instead of the traditional 50:50 ratio you get when you put two windows on your display. You can now adjust so that one of the windows occupy 2 thirds of your display. You can also put three evenly sized windows side by side on one display. That, or have one of the displays occupy half the display in the middle of the display. All you have to do is click on the traditional minimise/maximise window button and choose where you want to put the window.
At the same time, you can create separate desktop home screens for different purposes and for different times. You can create a desktop designed completely for work, for example. Once work is done, you can switch to a desktop for gaming, or a specific desktop for other forms of entertainment like music, or movies. What you want to do with your desktop is by your design.
More Gaming
Source: Microsoft
The gaming industry boomed in the past two years alone thanks exclusively to the current phenomena that is the pandemic. The pandemic situation means that most of us are stuck at home with nowhere to go. That also means that you do not get to hang out with your friends other than in an online space. That online space could a video call watching movies together, or it can also be online gaming. More time at home can also mean more time for games – something we have been complaining we have not got enough time for.
It also makes sense for Windows to be more gamer friendly than ever. The Windows 11 comes with DirectX 12 Ultimate for super high frame rate and super detailed graphics for your favourite games. DirectStorage ensures that your games loads faster and near instantly. Windows 11 also comes with Auto HDR, finally, for more vivid colours and an immersive visual experience.
Then there is Xbox Game Pass, a dedicated gaming store for Windows 11. Xbox Game Pass also means that games that are available on Xbox and Xbox exclusives will be available on Windows. Games like the upcoming Halo: Inifnite will comes to Microsoft’s Windows 11. EA Play also comes at no additional cost on Game Pass.
Widgets Make a Comeback
Source: Microsoft
Widgets were scraped in Windows 10. The idea was that Widgets on the home screen might clutter the desktop too much that your PC looks like a trash can that could not make any sense. The direction for Windows 10 was to make your PC super clean looking.
Windows 11 thinks of widgets differently though. Windows 11 thinks of widgets as a quick way to sort and consume information. Windows 11 also ensures that the widgets you want to work with does not interfere and clutter your desktop or start menu though. That also means that your widgets are all stored in their own separate space. You get your weather updates, calendar, and news from your chosen source all in one glass sheet on top of the desktop.
Apps For and From Everyone
Source: Microsoft
The Microsoft Store has been gaining traction since Windows 10. In Windows 11, Microsoft aims to make the Microsoft Store the only app store you only need. Obviously the Microsoft Store houses all the most popular Windows compatible apps in one place including Adobe’s Creative Cloud, and popular streaming apps like Netflix, Prime video, and Disney+.
But it is not just a store for apps. The Store is also a place where users can rent and buy movies and music. Microsoft Store is now the central place for entertainment in Windows 11.
These are nothing new though, we knew that the Microsoft Store will eventually be the place for all things you want in Windows 11. What is big is Windows embracing mobile operating systems. You can now find Android apps in Microsoft Store and run Android apps natively on Windows 11 itself via Amazon Appstore.
Even Better Security
Of course, with every iteration of Windows, security becomes more of a priority than ever. The current Windows 10 with all its major updates and security updates is more secure than ever. Microsoft is also still updating the system to ensure that it is more secure than ever before. Windows 11 builds on the foundations of Windows 10, which is currently Microsoft’s most secure operating system.
In that sense, upgrading to Windows 11 from Windows 10 is basically like a regular system update that you are used to from Window update. Because the basic infrastructure and architecture of the Operating System is the same one as Windows 10, apps that you have on Windows 10 will automatically work on Windows 11.
Windows 11 is also built as a Zero Trust-ready concept to allow users to protect their data and access across all their devices. Of course, there is the requirement that Windows 11 can only work on devices with Trusted Platform Module 2.0. You can easily check if your PC is ready to take on Windows 11 in a few simple steps. You just have to click on your start menu, type and open ‘Run’, and type tpm.msc to find out if you have TPM 2.0 installed on PC.
Windows 11 is Coming Soon
Source: Microsoft
Windows 11 will be rolling out as an update from Windows 10 later in 2021 onward. If you are a part of the Windows Insider Program, you should be able to access an early version of Windows 11 this week onward. For more information on Windows 11, you can check out Microsoft’s website. You can also check if your PC is eligible for the Windows 11 update or not within the same link.
The Lenovo Smart Clock was one of the simplest ways for you to get started on a smart home ecosystem. Right next to Google’s NEST speakers, the first iteration of the Lenovo Smart Clock is the best smart home peripheral you might be able to put on your nightstand. It does not look totally invasive as a home tech; it looks like a regular bedside clock. It is also powered by a Google Assistant. How could the Lenovo Smart Clock be better?
Lenovo has the answer to that in the new Lenovo Smart Clock 2 though. If it is not obvious enough with the naming scheme, the Lenovo Smart clock2 is the follow up to the original Lenovo Smart Clock. It shares all the great design cues that made the Lenovo Smart Clock a great one. Lenovo added a few more things to make it even better though.
Source: Lenovo
The Lenovo Smart Clock 2 still has a 4-inch display. This time though it is an LCD display that you can use to display your photos and clock. It even has a night mode that turns down its display brightness just enough that it does not hurt your eyes when you see it first thing in the morning. While the display remains the same size, the entire device got a bigger compared to before though. That also means that it stands a little more upright than before.
While it is also still powered by a MediaTek processor that you find on the previous Lenovo Smart Clock, the larger body allows Lenovo to hide 3W front-firing speakers just below the display. The new Smart Clock 2 rocks a 1GB RAM to work with Google Assistant and to display your gallery. With 8G of storage, you can even store some music in the clock alongside photos you want to display.
Like the original Lenovo Smart Clock, the Smart Clock 2 does not have a camera to work with, or to spy on you. The new Smart Clock to also includes a button that a mute toggle to turn off the microphone at the back of the device. There are no USB charging ports on the clock itself though.
Source: Lenovo
Source: Lenovo
Source: Lenovo
Source: Lenovo
Source: Lenovo
Source: Lenovo
Source: Lenovo
Source: Lenovo
Source: Lenovo
Source: Lenovo
To remedy that is a secondary plate dock that you can use with the Smart Clock 2. The base adds an additional wireless charging pad that sits right beside the clock. The charges at up to 10W, which also means that it should quickly charge your smartphones, including the Apple iPhone. The base also adds a USB-A port behind the entire clock assembly for wired charging too.
The Lenovo Smart Clock 2 will be available globally September 2021 onward. It will be available in three colours – Abyss Blue, Cloud Grey, and Shadow Black. It will retail for US$ 89.99 (MYR 373*) onward. There is no word on whether we will see the Lenovo Smart Clock 2 coming to Malaysia though.
*Approximately based on exchange rate of US$ 1 = MYR 4.14 as per xe.com as of 28/06/2021
