alarmclock
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Tyrant alarm clock dials your contacts if you refuse to wake
We've seen alarm clocks institute some fairly unorthodox methods of waking users up, but this is exceptionally high on the list of "oh, no they didn'ts." Alice Wang's Tyrant, which we can only assume is a concept, actually dials a random number in one's mobile contact list for every three minutes that the sleeper doesn't address the obnoxiously loud ringing. In other words, unless you pick yourself up out of bed within ten minutes of the alarm going off, you'll have three angry friends wondering why they're getting phone calls from you everyday at O-five-hundred hours. Brilliant. Pure, sadistic, barbarous brilliance.[Via Coolest-Gadgets]
iHome's ZN9 alarm clock docks your Zune in something resembling style
Hey, props for offering up the "first clock radio for Zune" (it's certainly not the first Zune dock), we're all quite proud, but it looks like iHome sent in the B team for the design here. The ZN9 Dual Alarm Stereo Clock Radio for Zune actually bears a slight resemblance to an Xbox 360, other than the full-featured Zune interoperability, of course. Outside of that there's nothing of note here that your grandma hasn't been rocking bedside since the 80's. The ZN9 should be available now-ish for $100.
iLuv kicks out i168 and i169 HD Radio alarm clocks
Something's really wrong with the world if more than a few months pass by without a new iPod alarm clock from iLuv, so we suppose everyone's a-okay for a few more months now. Announced today, the firm has introduced its first pair of HD Radio clocks, and sure enough, one of 'em plays nice with Cupertino's darling. The i169 would be that player, which offers up a mostly black motif, dual stereo speakers, remote, iPod dock, AM / FM / HD Radio reception, an auxiliary input and dual alarm settings for good measure. As for the currently available i168, it provides most everything you read up there sans the iPod compatibility, but then again, it only demands $89.99. What about the i169, you ask? It'll set you back a cool $169.99 when it lands in "early May." Full release waiting after the break.
iHome iP99 claims to be first iPhone-friendly clock radio, isn't
Oh sure, the iHome iP99 is certainly a welcome addition to the fray, but the first iPhone-compatible clock radio it isn't. Nevertheless, this device claims to be able to play back tunes on your handset without that sanity-killing interference that's so common on most iPod stereo systems. While blasting out tunes, users can still expect to receive calls while it's charging, and if you're currently rolling sans an iPhone, it'll also play nice with all docking iPod models. Per usual, there's an AM / FM tuner, auxiliary input, a variety of wake modes, dual alarm settings, backlit buttons and a remote control for switching tracks / controlling volume from afar. Of course, by the time this thing lands in June for $149.99, we could be testing to see if it works with an all new iPhone.Update: We've been informed that what was really supposed to be said here was that it's "is the first clock radio available for purchase that is designed specifically for the iPhone," and it's been awarded the coveted "Works with iPhone" sticker from Apple itself. Needless to say, this bad boy has all the shielding you'll need.
Designer LEXON Jet clocks do dot-matrix with style
It may not boast any fancy or slightly terrifying measures to haul you out of bed in the morning, or pack the DIY flavor of some clocks we seen, but if you just want to keep things simple and stylish you could certainly do a lot worse than one of these new LEXON jet clocks from designer Theo Williams. Available in wall/desk clock (pictured above), clock radio or travel alarm clock versions, the clocks each boast an electroluminescent backlit display, which lights up all your vital information (including the temperature) dot-matrix-style. You can also get the clocks in your choice of gold or brushed aluminum finishes, although it seems that only the wall clock model is available right now, with it setting you back €45 (or just under $70).
Homegrown alarm clock tests your math to gauge alertness
We've seen some fairly sinister alarm clocks in our day -- ones that fly around, nearly make you go deaf and "explode" if you don't get up in time, for starters -- but this DIY creation is definitely lobbying for top honors. The Turing Alarm Clock, which has admittedly been making the rounds of late, starts making racket just as any other alarm clock when the time comes, but rather than letting you smash the snooze button, it forces you to answer math questions with varying levels of difficulty before quieting down. Evil? Sure. Effective? You betcha. Check the video after the jump.[Via Hack-A-Day]
XtremeMac's Luna X2 is ready to rule
When it comes to iPod docking alarm clocks, few can face-off with XtremeMac's Luna. Now there's the Luna X2. Normally we'd shred the puffery found in phrases like "world class iPod audio system," "crystal clear display," and a design meant to "complement any room's decor." However, their first-generation Luna was so well received that we tend to believe their boasting. For the moment, anyway. Your $120 (pre-order) gets you a pair of fully customizable, independent alarms, aux-in, AM/FM radio, and same audio performance found in the original Luna. Only now in a newly designed chassis which reflects the new iPod reality: the white iPod is dead.%Gallery-14080%
Fire alarm bell repurposed for waking the dead
For those who could easily sleep through a tornado (or similar), there are a plethora of alarm clocks out there designed to wake even you up. Still, there's nothing like crafting a suitable alternative yourself, and the folks over at Hacked Gadgets decided to exemplify overkill in their latest concoction. 'Course, a "fire alarm bell alarm clock" is pretty self-explanatory, and while it certainly doesn't come through as loud over YouTube as we're sure it is in person, there's still ample reason to click through and peek the video yourself. [Thanks, Alan]
Sleep.FM brings social networking to the alarm clock -- forgets to ask why?
Unless you're waking to a playlist, you're likely subjecting yourself to a constant AM rehash of the same alarm drudgery. The kind of fitful start which makes any netizen long for the gray and death-accented cubicle release of work. Enter Sleep.FM, "the social alarm clock." The beta service allows your friends and family to record custom audio alarms which playback on your PC or other Internet enabled device. "Honey I've left, and I took the kids," has never been so arousing. Tear-jerker of a demonstration after the break.[Via The Red Ferret Journal]
Neverlate Executive alarm clock -- sleep's worst nightmare
If you thought the original Neverlate 7-day alarm clock kept your eyes peeled, you ain't seen nothin' yet. Years after the original took bedside tables by storm, American Innovative has finally unveiled the Neverlate Executive, which boasts a sleeker design along with a myriad new amenities. For starters, this version includes a pair of 7-day alarm banks, Daily Reminders and a full-blown Preferences Menu that enables you to control everything from the backlight brightness to the alarm duration. You'll also find an AM / FM tuner, which as you may expect, allows users to assign different stations to each alarm; furthermore, the line-in, headphone and USB jacks add even more connectivity options, and the Descending Snooze feature forces you to wake up after you slam it too many times. Interested consumers can get their pre-order in now for $59.95, and truthfully, that's a small price to pay when staring termination (due to chronic tardiness, of course) in the face.[Via Gizmag]
Rotaliana MultiBook disguises your chargers as a hardcover book
We were already fans of the Rotaliana MultiPot, which disguised a device-charging station and a lamp as a flowerpot, but we tend to charge our devices in the bedroom -- which means the company's new MultiBook is even more useful. Appearing at first to be just another hardcover book, the MultiBook opens to reveal several plug outlets and a lamp, and also features an alarm clock with a concealed display on the spine. That pretty much covers all the bedside bases -- but given the surprising violence with which we greet our alarm clock every morning, it might be best to keep all this stuff separate. Only available in a 220V version right now for €152 ($222), no word on when it might come stateside.[Via Oh Gizmo]
Boynq rolls out Wake Up iPod speaker / alarm clock
Yeah, what you see above actually is yet another iPod speaker / alarm clock mashup, but being that it's from Boynq, it looks noticeably better than most of the alternatives. The interestingly designed device does quite a few things aside from wake you from your slumber, as it also includes an FM radio and line in / out ports to compliment the built-in equalizer and 20-watts of amplification. Best of all, this thing plays nice with every dock-connecting iPod ever created (including the iPhone "on models produced after January 1st"), and the remote controllable snooze practically guarantees that you'll never be on time for anything again. Talk about user friendly. [Warning: PDF read link]UPDATE: Looks like Amazon's got this thing for $129.99. Thanks Russ![Via The Red Ferret Journal]
Snooze cellphone concept features dedicated alarm clock
This Snooze phone is at the same time bizarre -- because most handsets have an alarm clock -- and kinda neat in a mostly useless -- though LED lit -- way. We can only assume the fanciful idea is that while, yes, your mobile can be an alarm clock, it is tough to see the time without middle-of-the-night fumbling. Seeing as this is only a concept phone, there are no specs, we'll never have pricing, and you'll likely never own one -- that is if you ever get to the wanting stage -- but we always appreciate people's tireless efforts at conceptualizing for us.[Via gearfuse]
Accelerometers let you abuse your alarm clock
Sure, it's all well and good to simply smack the "snooze" button on your alarm clock when you want to get a few more Zs, but isn't there a better, more exciting way to make yourself late to work? You bet your sweet you-know-what there is... accelerometers! One clever Make-er / modder hacked his alarm clock so that you can punch, slap, or flick the entire clock to get the alarm to stop blaring its ear-destroying wake-up call... at least for about nine minutes. Feel like burning through a weekend and putting together a clock which will make you the envy of all your friends? Motor over to the how-to and get the info. Want to see the clock in action? Check the video after the break.[Via Make]
Yumekobo's Yamanote alarm clock shows train schedules
You know what they say about Japanese trains being so reliable you can set a clock to it? Ironically enough, Yumekobo's Yamanote alarm clock does just that, and while we're sure the vivid green color scheme isn't for everyone, its features (feature?) are what counts. Apparently, the clock communicates via radio with the train station, and the train symbols surrounding the hands correspond to where a given train is located at a certain point in time. Additionally, it sports built-in chimes and melodies to match those played in the actual station, and of course, can wake you up at a set time so you don't miss your morning ride to work. Not a bad device to keep around for ¥7,980 ($66), and in case you're still a bit stumped on how this thing actually operates, check out a web-based demonstration here.[Via Gearfuse]
Sony's dark-side: the ICF-C1IP alarm clock and ZS-S2IP boombox iPod docks
What started as a begrudging trickle of iPod accessories from Sony has turned a steady flow. Meet the new ICF-C1IP iPod Dock Clock Radio and ZS-S2IP iPod Dock Boombox. The radio (available in black or white) brings a wireless remote for control of the iPod, radio, and volume functions with a dual-alarm function and adjustable brightness control. Oh, and that giant square in the center which apparently serves no purpose? That's an overengineered "adjustable backstop mechanism" meant to ensure a snug fit of the iPod when docked. The Boombox features a retractable dock tray when going iPod-less with a digital AM/FM tuner and CD player supporting CD-R/RW media. Wireless remote and battery power? Yup, that too. Both rigs are priced at $100 beans and ready for retail sometime in August. Read-on for a glimpse of the boombox in repose.
Mustek intros TRAVELFOTO photo frame / alarm clock
It looks like those still clinging onto their travel alarm clocks from the eighties may finally have cause to upgrade, as Mustek has now seen fit to update the tried and true design with a built-in digital picture frame. Dubbed the TRAVELFOTO, the device packs a 1.5-inch, 128 x 128 resolution CSTN LCD color screen, along with enough flash memory to store 70 JPEG or BMP photos of your choosing (no MP3 support, it seems). On the other end of the equation, Mustek says that the device has a buzzer loud enough to "wake up even the heaviest sleeper" -- something we'll have to hear to believe. Look for this one to set you back about $40 when it rolls out sometime next month.
Alarming 'Ring' concept vibrates finger to wake you up
There's no shortage of bizarre creations that prevent you from oversleeping, but a Meng Fendi concept could actually help you (and your partner) wake up on the right side of the bed for a change. The simply-titled "Ring" sports an alarm clock dock with two times and a pair of wearable hoops, which enables you to wake up at a different time than your third-shift-workin' SO. Moreover, the elastic vibrating rings are donned at night, and simply provide a constant buzz to get your attention rather than wrecking your rest with a piercing array of beeps. Click on for a few more shots.[Via Yanko Design]
USB hub opens letters, wakes you up
Never again will you have to suffer the pitiable indignation of owning a USB hub which only has one lowly "hubbing" function. Enter the Shenzhen Sunstars USB hub, letter opener, and alarm clock. Yeah, we know you have actual hands for doing things like opening letters, and a phone or watch for alarms, but are either of those things self-powered with four USB 2.0 ports? We thought not.
Addon Spotlight: WoW Timer
It's so easy to lose track of time when playing World of Warcraft. You start out grinding this reputation, leveling that alt, then get invited to go run an instance, then come back and check the auction, then inspect some people standing around in their pretty epics... and suddenly discover that it's 1 in the morning and you've spent many more hours playing this game than you had planned. Then again, for some people, limiting themselves isn't at all the problem -- it's limiting their kids they worry about! Their children agree to only play for 1 hour, but then 2 or 3 hours go by and they're still in there at the computer, saying, "But Daaaaad, I forgot!" If either you or your loved one needs a gentle reminder about how much time has gone by while adventuring in Azeroth, WoWTimer may be the addon for you.
