LaMetric Time – smart desktop clock for home and office

In 2014 Smart Atoms began to develop smart desktop clock, which were created under the concept of “the Internet of things”. The main idea was to provide the user with an additional screen on which it would be possible to display a variety of useful information from the Internet, as well as notifications. As the result we got LaMetric Time, which includes an information display and functionality of Bluetooth column and online streaming radio.

Design, construction and display

LaMetric Time design was inspired by sport bracelet Nike+ Fuelband, which has a turned off display merged with the body. The developers from Smart Atoms also managed to achieve that effect, so the first time you take the device in hands, it seems that it doesn’t have the screen.

The front panel is covered with a matte rubberized plastic and only when you turn on LaMetric Time, magically it will begin to show numbers, letters, as well as colored icons, implemented with light-emitting diodes, which not only provide excellent readability at close and far distances, but also form an image with the fashionable pixel graphic.

The design of the LaMetric Time is very simple; it has the shape of an elongated rectangle and made of black matte plastic with a rubber insert on the bottom. On the front panel, under a layer of matte plastic hides the display, above which is located the light sensor. On the left side you will find dynamic and volume keys. It is not very well implemented, the buttons are small and located on the same level with the body, so it is quite hard to find them by touch. On the right side, there is another dynamic and the power button. At the top navigation keys are located, which are required to switch between applications, as well as the select button. On the back side you can find the logo and inscription LaMetric, microUSB port and a 3.5mm audio jack, through which you can also connect external speakers.

In overall, LaMetric Time has minimalistic design that allows the device to fit well in almost any interior.

Functionality

By default, LaMetric Time shows the time, but with the help of arrow keys, you can make the transition between different applications. Besides, time this smart device can also display weather, it has a timer, stopwatch, alarm clock and an app that allows you to listen to online radio stations.

From the built-in catalog, you can download additional applications such as program to display the number of subscribers on Twitter and Facebook, statistics from Google Analytics, a message board, news feed, information about the earthquakes, as well as a number of other applications from popular services.

Unfortunately, there are not very much applications for LaMetric Time yet, but they are gradually being added to the catalog. The Smart Atoms created a fairly simple tool for developers, so it won’t be hard to make your own application.

Another interesting feature of LaMetric Time is the integration with the popular automation service IFTTT. It greatly extends the functionality of the device, allowing it to interact with services and gadgets. For example, using IFTTT through LaMetric Time you can set the temperature on the Nest thermostat and turn on / off WeMo lamps, create events in Google Calendar and receive notifications from your Office 365 calendar, as well as much more.

While for IFTTT and LaMetric Time there are not so many scenarios, there are still few interesting, for example, notifications of the family when you leave the office and a warning to take an umbrella in case of rain.

Regarding the quality and volume of sound, they do not reach the level of most Bluetooth columns. However, this is not the main function of LaMetric Time, so it is completely justified as an extra addition.

Verdict

LaMetric Time – an interesting and stylish device that can work as a desk clock, display information from compatible online services, play online streaming music and work as the Bluetooth speaker. Unfortunately, the possibilities of LaMetric Time are limited by the number of supported applications, although their number is gradually increasing. Another important factor is the price, which is $199 for the version with a battery and $179 – for the plug-in model.

Thankfully to pleasant design LaMetric Time can be regarded as an accessory for the interior decoration for both, home and office, but such things are a priori not cheap. I think that using LaMetric Time device at home is kind of controversial decision, however it fits almost perfectly for the office, café or shop.

LaMetric Time smart desktop clock can be purchased from its official website – http://lametric.com.