Over the past few years, I have become a huge fan of all things retro. I love the Tidbyt clock. I'm ready for Apple to bring back the iPod. Old stuff is back. I recently tested a really nice Tidbyt alternative with HomeKit support. It doesn't have the third-party app options, but it's still a great desk accessory. I'm looking at the Yeelight Cube Clock Kit this week. HomeKit Weekly is a series focused on smart home accessories, automation tips and tricks, and everything related to Apple's smart home framework. Although Yeelight markets the kit as a retro clock, that's just one of the ways you can use it. It's one of the easiest ways to understand what this device is for, but it can be used in countless ways. There is also a YouTube subscriber tracker and a Twitch follower tracker by default. You can also use community built options and build your own options as well. Every pixel in every cube is customizable, so the building possibilities are endless. As a desk accessory, I think it is a simple clock with a retro style.

Unpacking and Setup for Yeelight Cube Clock

You will need to unpack different panels depending on which Yeelight kit you purchase. I had the main torch and then four extension models for my purposes. You start with the headlamp before unpacking. The Matter code is printed on the bottom part of the kit. You plug it into a wall socket and then use the Yeelight Station app to connect it to your WiFi. You can start by stacking the extensions on the base and finish with the main lamp on the other end. Depending on whether you set it vertically or horizontally, you will need to configure that setting in the Yeelight app. From there you can enjoy all Yeelight Clock offers. I think it would be enough if you could just use the retro clock part of the Yeelight Cube Clock. It just makes for a nice desk or counter accessory. You can then choose a YouTube or Twitch account to switch between the clock and the number of subscribers. I wish you could set it to cycle through different pieces of information, instead of just choosing one. From there, you can also choose between Yeelight's pre-built atmosphere options and join the community to download the submitted atmosphere options. The community option is great, but I hope to see more options. I think the only thing missing from the Yeelight Cube Clock is the ability to use external data sources and feeds. Like the Tidbyt, I wish the Yeelight clock could handle calendars, stocks, sports, etc. It's almost perfect, so I'm hopeful that Yeelight will expand the options in the future.

Summary

Since much of the Yeelight Cube Clock is built around screen customization, HomeKit support is basic, but it works. It functions as an on/off switch for the display. If you are using it at your desk, my recommended automation would be to set the screen to turn on early in the morning and turn off at night. If you use it on your bedside table, you can also adjust the brightness within HomeKit. Overall, it's a nice device that I hope will be expanded upon with additional resources. You can buy the Yeelight Cube Clock from Amazon. FTC: We use monetized auto-affiliate links. More.