Looking for a simple replacement for my Lenovo Smart Clock Essential – Echo Show 11 isn’t it
I’ve been looking for a simple replacement for my old Lenovo Smart Clock Essential and I’m getting increasingly frustrated with the current options.
My ideal device is actually pretty simple:
Small-ish touchscreen
Always shows time and weather
Good enough speaker for internet radio
Wi-Fi, no phone or Bluetooth required
Google Cast / Chromecast receiver would be a big plus
I want to be able to use the TuneIn app on my Android phone or iPhone and cast it to the device
Ideally I can then put my phone away and the device continues playing
Touch controls are important to me; I don’t want a device that is primarily voice-controlled
A camera/doorbell feed would be nice, but isn’t essential
I don’t need a full tablet, video streaming, or a huge smart-home dashboard
No DIY projects, custom ROMs, Raspberry Pis, etc. I just want something that works.
I recently bought an Echo Show 11 (2026) because it seemed like the obvious modern replacement.
Unfortunately, I’m considering returning it.
The hardware is nice, but it doesn’t really solve my main problem. What I really want is the simplicity of a Smart Clock with a touchscreen and a good speaker. The Echo Show feels much more like an Alexa device that happens to have a screen.
The biggest problem for me is TuneIn. I don’t want to have to use Alexa voice commands to select radio stations. I want to be able to use the TuneIn app and simply cast the station to the device, similar to how I used Chromecast.
That makes me think a Google Nest Hub 2nd Gen might actually be a better fit, despite being old hardware from 2021.
But before I buy one, I’d really like to hear from people who have tried the current alternatives.
Is there anything in 2026 that actually fits this use case better than the Nest Hub 2?
I’m particularly interested in devices with good speakers and proper Google Cast support. I’m also open to something I haven’t considered, as long as it doesn’t require a DIY setup.