Citizen brings a touch of class to smart clock, smart speakers

Citizen is one of the fanciest clock makers around, but it’s also been getting in on the smart bandwagon with its latest variety of gadgets shown off at CES 2020.

The company revealed the Alexa-powered Citizen Smart Speaker in Las Vegas (seen above), being roughly the same size as the standard Google Home and Amazon Echo speakers. But one of the defining features is the timepiece on the front of the device, as you’d expect from a watch manufacturer.

Otherwise, you can expect pleasantly loud sound, the usual array of Echo buttons on the top, and the ability to pair a second Citizen Smart Speaker for stereo sound. This model is due to ship June 15, 2020 for $149.

It wasn’t the only Citizen smart speaker on offer, as the firm also showed off an Alexa-powered device currently codenamed Alpha (seen above). We don’t know much about the speaker, but the company says it’s targeting a premium sound market. 

Citizen says its Alpha offers a handmade design, from the wood panels to the grid on the front. Much like the previously mentioned Citizen Smart Speaker, you’re also getting a timepiece on the front. Otherwise, it has a targeted price of under $1,000 when it launches, according to a company representative.

A smarter clock

The company also showed off the the Citizen Smart Clock, previously announced last month. We’ve got two variants on offer, and the chief difference between the two models is the design. One model is available in a metal frame while the second option uses a wooden frame. Both clock designs aren’t exactly making their smart trappings known (bar the LED light), looking like any other wall clock you’d find.

Otherwise, you can expect Bluetooth pairing with Alexa-enabled devices, with Citizen specifically noting compatibility with the Echo, Echo Dot, Echo Plus, and Echo Show. Once you’ve paired with an Alexa-enabled device, you can use the Citizen Smart Clock to set a timer (counting down on the dial).

The Citizen Smart Clock with a metal frame currently retails for $79.99 via Amazon, while the wooden version will set you back $89.99. This is more than double the price of the $30 Amazon Echo Clock (which also offers timer functionality), which means that only those who value aesthetics over price should probably think about buying this. You’re also not getting batteries when buying the Citizen clocks, so you’ll need to buy four C batteries as a separate purchase.

Still fancy the Citizen Smart Clock? Then you can grab it via the button below. In fact, the metal version is currently available at a 20% discount, starting at $63.99.