alarm clock
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Attention US iPhone users: use a standby alarm clock for now
If you live in the United States, you're probably already aware that the nation is set to switch to Standard Time on November 7, moving clocks one hour back. What you may not be aware of is that if you're using an iPhone or other iOS device as your primary alarm clock, it might not make the switch as planned -- and you could end up late to work on Monday as a result. iOS 4 introduced a bug into how iOS devices handle the switch between Daylight Saving and Standard Time. The bug got some attention when it first hit New Zealand back in September -- when our clocks rolled forward an hour, our iOS alarms did not. Many New Zealanders woke up an hour early following the switch to DST because of this bug, myself included. The same thing happened a couple weeks later when certain Australian territories switched to DST, and Apple promised a fix. Southern Hemisphere iOS users had it bad enough being woken up an hour early, but when Europe switched to Standard Time last week, iOS users there found their alarms going off an hour late. The internet was flooded with reports of Europeans whose iPhones and iPods failed to wake them up on time last Monday. At the same time, some of our US commenters noted that alarms in the States were going off an hour early. Apple has posted a support doc on its iOS DST issues, and the company recommends changing repeating iOS alarms in the Clock app to single-use alarms instead as a way of skirting the issue. This procedure worked for us in New Zealand, but it has the added inconvenience of having to remember to set the alarm every day. Bottom line: if you're worried about being late to work on Monday, or losing an hour of sleep, the best advice we can give you is to use a different alarm other than your iPhone or iPod touch for now. While the issue is reportedly resolved in the forthcoming iOS 4.2 update, that update is unlikely to be publicly released before the changeover to Standard Time this Sunday -- so if you're on thin ice at work already, don't depend on your iPhone to wake you up on Monday morning.
iPhone DST bug causing alarms to fail across Europe (updated)
An iPhone bug already seen when Australia switched between Daylight Savings Time and Standard Time a few weeks ago has now hit Europe. Twitter just lit up with reports of recurring iPhone alarms going off an hour later than usual. So even though the iOS clock changed correctly over the weekend, the alarm did not. Thing is, according to a ZDNet Australia report from more than three weeks ago, Apple acknowledged the bug with a promise to fix it with a software update. So why wasn't it rolled out in time to avoid this mess in Europe? Let's see if Apple fixes it before North America makes the switch on November 7th, otherwise, you've been warned. Update: Deleting and re-adding the alarms will NOT fix the issue. We've now tested a number of scenarios under iOS 4.1 on European iPhone 4 and 3GS devices for ourselves. The bug (demoed on video after the break by Roman) appears when using a repeating alarm for anything other than "every day." So for example, your alarm will go off an hour late if it's set for "weekdays," or "weekends," or every "Monday." The following alarms are not affected by the bug: An alarm that doesn't repeat (repeat set to "never") An alarm set to repeat "every day" You can test yourself by creating a repeating alarm (but not every day) to go off one minute in the future and 59 minutes in the past. Update 2: Some US readers are now waking up to alarms reportedly going off an hour early. [Thanks, David O. and Matthieu Di B.]
Tivoli Audio fails to deviate with Model 10 clock radio, still celebrates Tin anniversary
So, what's a company to do when turning the big one-oh? The same thing that it always has, of course! Tivoli Audio's classic styling has somehow found its way back around again on the 10th anniversary Model 10 AM/FM clock radio, a highly compact music maker with a 7.8-inch cabinet, a pair of independent alarms (which can be set to music or a tone), inbuilt LCD and a menu screen with an adjustable backlight. As you'd expect, the pizazz is coming mostly in the form of exterior color options, with "furniture grade wood" being offered in walnut, cherry, blue, black and red. For the true historians, a Celebration Collection is available in light and dark aluminum wood finishes, with the Superior Collection adding a high gloss Frost White and Chesnut Brown (along with the 'Lines' pattern shown here). The auxiliary input allows pretty much any source to be connected, with all functions dictated by a single top-mounted rotary control or a bundled remote. As for pricing? They're going for $199.99 to $379.99, or precisely 19.2 times more than you ever expected.
iHome's iA100 iPad stereo speaker system now on sale for $199
Took 'em long enough, huh? iHome's iA100 was actually introduced way back in July, and at the time, it was essentially the only iPad-friendly home stereo system on the planet. Now, iHome has a bit of friendly competition out there, but at least it's getting this guy out on store shelves long before the holiday shopping season hits full swing. For those who missed it the first go 'round, this here docking system touts Bongiovi Acoustics' DPS technology, an inbuilt alarm clock, Bluetooth and support for the iPad, iPhone and iPod via a 30-pin Dock Connector. Too bad it'll set you back a full $199.
iOS update forthcoming to fix Alarm Clock app bug
Our intrepid Kiwi reporter, Chris Rawson, recently told TUAW readers about a mysterious bug that hit his iPhone on the morning of September 25th when New Zealand switched to Daylight Saving Time. iOS users in Australian time zones that follow Daylight Saving Time had a similarly rude awakening on the morning of October 3rd when recurring alarms in the iOS Alarm Clock app went off an hour early. What's happening? There's a bug in the Alarm Clock app that has been affecting users when a change to DST occurs. Other iOS users in Queensland, Austraila also reported that their alarm clocks adjusted to the Daylight Saving Time change on the 3rd, despite the fact that they're not in a DST zone. There are workarounds available -- users can set the alarm for one hour after the time they actually want to wake up, or they can turn off the recurring alarm and set a non-recurring alarm every day. Apple Australia apparently told ZDNet Australian Edition that they were aware of the problem and have developed a fix that will be included as part of an upcoming software update. It's expected that the update will appear before daylight saving time changes happen in other parts of the world, including November 6th (USA) and October 30th (EU). That means that we may see another interim iOS release prior to the expected arrival of iOS 4.2 in late November. [via AppleInsider]
A roundup of clock apps for the iPad
One of the more surprising app omissions from the iPad was the iPhone's Clock app. It's an extremely useful iPhone app, featuring a world clock, alarm, timer, and stopwatch. Why Apple didn't choose to add this app to the iPad is a mystery for the ages, but at least it's opened up the market for some incredible clock apps for the platform. Let's take a look at some of the better clock apps on the App Store: Night Stand HD (US$4.99, also available in free Lite version) -- This good looking universal app not only gives you a choice of clocks, but you also have a world clock, multiple alarms, and a stopwatch. You can also see limited weather information right on the clock face. Unfortunately, the current lack of background capabilities on the iPad means you'll have to keep this app running in order for those alarms to ring on time, but that will be resolved with iOS 4.2 in November. Clock Pro HD ($5.99) -- Obsessed with time? This might be the iPad app for you. It features an alarm clock in 18 different styles, iPod music alarms, an analog clock full screen support, a chess clock, a world clock, a stop watch with lap control, nature times (sunrise, sunset, midday, high and low tide) for any location, a sleep timer, an egg timer, a metronome, a countdown clock, and a project clock. Whew! As with Night Stand HD, the app must be open for alarms to work due to the background limitations of iOS 3.2 on the iPad. Read on for a look at more iPad clock apps.
Show Time may be the mother of all alarm clock apps
There's no shortage of apps to wake you up in the morning. Show Time may be the most extensive, and it has a wicked sense of humor as well. The app handles multiple alarms and has 25 ambient noise selections to put you to sleep, or you can choose something from your iTunes collection. There are 58 versions of clock faces, all in horizontal or vertical layouts. The alarm clock goes off even if your phone is set to silent, and you can shake the clock to change the color of the display or to snooze the alarm. Some of the sound choices are a bit weird, like a dishwasher, a hair dryer, or a prison(!). One weak point is that you can't easily preview the sounds before you choose them. Other than that, I like Show Time. It's US$0.99 on the App Store. If you want to give it a test drive, there is a lite version, but the selection of sounds is limited, and there aren't nearly as many clock styles.There isn't an iPad version, but there should be. Check out the gallery for a peek under the hood. %Gallery-100638%
Sony Dash update brings Shoutcast, app shortcuts and the true meaning of life
Got yourself a Sony Dash, did you? If so, right about now would be a beautiful time to unplug it and plug it back in, as that'll trigger a minty fresh update to download and apply. This newfangled software build will not only add Shoutcast as an available internet radio station, but it also brings app shortcuts and a hastened add / delete app process. It ain't much, but it ain't costly, either. Let us know in comments how it all works out for you, cool? [Thanks, Dave]
Engadget's back to school guide: docks and alarms
Welcome to Engadget's Back to School guide! We know that this time of year can be pretty annoying and stressful for everyone, so we're here to help out with the heartbreaking process of gadget buying for the school-aged crowd. Today, we've got docks and alarms in our sights -- and you can head to the Back to School hub to see the rest of the product guides as they're added throughout the month. Be sure to keep checking back -- at the end of the month we'll be giving away a ton of the gear featured in our guides. Whether you're simply looking for something to put on your bedside table or considering an iPod dock to replace a bulky stereo, you now have more devices than ever to choose from, which can be a tad overwhelming if you're trying to stay on budget and still get something decent. As usual, however, we're here to help, and have rounded up a range of docks and alarms that should more than satisfy at any price point.
iHome announces iPad clock radio dock
iHome has announced the first clock radio with a fully functioning iPad dock. In addition to traditional clock radio features, you get a Bluetooth connection to use with your iPad. You will be able to sync the proper time from an iPhone, and in turn, the alarm settings from the radio get synced to your iPad. You can also pair the physical device with the free iHome+Sleep app, which will eventually gain iPad optimization. You will be able to use both iPhones and iPods with the dock. It's a neat idea, but this begs the question -- what took so long? This sort of dock makes sense, especially for those who get a lot of use of the iPad in the bedroom, or even in other rooms such as the kitchen. I'm surprised that iHome did not announce this months ago. No price or release date was revealed, but the company's price range for similar models for the iPhone start around $80 and average around $100. Given the Bluetooth connection, I wouldn't be surprised to see this clock priced around $150. [Via iPodNN]
Onkyo busts out HDMI-connected 10.1-inch picture frame
To cut a long story short, Onkyo's LPF10M01 is basically a netbook's screen sans (most of) the netbook. 10.1 inches of LED-backlit LCD get covered in a 1,024 x 600 pixel array and are backed up by 250 nits of brightness and a 500 to 1 contrast ratio. The big selling point here is the inclusion of an HDMI input -- still something of a rarity in picture frames -- which sidles up alongside a USB port, SDHC and Memory Stick card reader, and 512MB of integrated memory. We're fancying the flexibility of using it as a secondary display or as part of some truly minimalist desktop environment, but doubt many will be won over by the austere 140 degree horizontal viewing angle, which narrow down to a zany 110 on the vertical axis. Anyhow, it launches on August 6 in Japan for around ¥19,800 ($227).
iHome iA100ZE iPad alarm dock raises questions, supplies few answers
So, the iA100ZE iPad dock isn't anywhere in the same league as the iTar. To be fair, you can't fault iHome for trying to stir up some interest in an over-saturated market by strapping an iPad onto a fairly typical FM radio / alarm clock / dock. And if that's your bag, it certainly seems to be more than up to the task: iHome+Sleep app integration, Bluetooth, and that patented Bongiovi punch. Only a few questions have yet to be answered: when does it ship? For how much? And, most crucially, will you be able to sleep with an iPad shining in your face all night? Get another look after the break.
Altec Lansing serves up angular Octiv Mini iPod / iPhone sound system
We know -- you need another iPod sound system about as bad as you need another mortgage, but why leave any one room lacking, right? Altec Lansing has cranked out a rather unorthodox looking device this fine evening, certified to play nice with iPhone and iPod and deliver soothing jazz to whatever ears are fortunate enough to get close. The Octiv Mini (M102; $59.95) is yet another iPod / iPhone alarm clock, though this one ships with the Alarm Rock app in order to customize one's wake-up tunes from their bedside. Full specs should be popping up in that source link momentarily, and it'll ship to the last five remaining Americans who actually need one of these type devices in July. %Gallery-95971%
Friday giveaway: Get your calculator back on with Digits for iPad
If you divvy up the universe of iPad hands-on coverage over the past month, there's a reasonable midline with "Here's all I was able to do with it" on one side, and "Here are the things it doesn't do, isn't that ludicrous?" on the other. Michael Gartenberg's post at Slashgear about a two-week road experiment with just his iPad falls in the first bucket, and Kate Bevan's What's Wrong With the iPad? at the Guardian's web site clearly goes in the second. Among Bevan's several pain points with her iPad, she focuses on the absence of a few core apps that helped make the iPhone experience complete: Clock, Voice Memos, Weather, and Calculator. While not all of them have full-featured third party replacements (the Apple-only backgrounding rule in OS 3.2 means that other alarm clocks don't allow you to switch apps and still get your wakeup call), there's certainly ample coverage on Calculator. In particular, Shift's Digits provides a fullscreen, history-tape enabled, email capable, snazzy calculator that should address most number-crunching needs. Digits is a whopping 99 cents in the US store, but we've got ten promo codes to give away to US readers (sorry, rest of world, promo codes are country-specific) -- just leave a comment below to enter, telling us your favorite 'replacement' app for the ones Apple forgot to put on the first-generation iPad. Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 and older. To enter leave a comment on this post with your suggested 'replacement' app. The comment must be left before Sunday May 16 at 12:00pm noon, Eastern Daylight Time. You may enter only once. 10 winners will be selected in a random drawing. Prize: One promo code for Digits for iPad (ARV US$0.99) Complete rules here.
Northeastern University students build web-syncing, home-automating DPAC alarm clock
It may not actually be available for sale, but it looks like some students from Northeastern University are giving devices like the Chumby and Sony Dash a run for their money. They've built this so-called Dynamically Programmable Alarm Clock, or DPAC, which can sync up with your Google Calendar to automatically set alarms, get traffic, weather and other information, and even integrate with a home automation system to turn on the lights, open the blinds, and start your coffee maker as part of a wake-up cycle. What's more, the whole thing can also be configured using a web interface, and it of course packs a built-in FM radio and an iPod dock for good measure. Hit up the source link below for a look at the months-long build process, and head on past the break to check it out in action.
Kenwood AS-iP70 converges picture frame, alarm clock, FM radio and iPhone dock into one
We know, you've seen enough iDevice docks to make your eyes bleed with frustration, but if your bedside table is growing a bit cluttered with all the appendages and chargers you have lying around, you might wanna check this one out. Kenwood's 7-inch AS-iP70 can serve as a picture viewer, a music player, an alarm clock, or an FM radio, while also packing USB and SD card inputs for alternative media sources. All in all, it looks quite slick and has plenty of buttons to play around with, but be warned that its 800 x 480 resolution is intended for pictures only, there's no video playback to be had. If that and the ¥25,000 sticker (about $270, launching in Japan this April) have you running scared, you might want to check out Sony's cheaper, AVI-playing alternative right over here. More pictures of Kenwood's new hotness can be found at the source.
Oregon Scientific debuts solar-powered weather station and projection clock
Oregon Scientific only introduces a few new products each year, so when we heard that a new pair were making their debut, we couldn't help but take notice. Unfortunately for those in favor of fantastic overhauls, you won't find a whole lot here to cheer about; for those that can appreciate subtle but satisfying updates, you might just be in heaven. Up first is the new +ECO Solar Projection Clock, which is equipped with a detachable solar panel and an integrated projector that beams the time out onto a nearby wall. Second, we've got the Helios Weather Station, also outfitted with a built-in solar panel; it's designed to forecast the weather in your location for the next dozen hours, and it'll also spit out indoor / outdoor temperature and humidity readings in up to three locations around your abode. We're told that the former will be available for an undisclosed amount next month, while the latter can be snapped up now for $54.99
Twist alarm clock has you wring math equations by the neck
Man has striven for centuries to build a better mousetrap, but in the digital age, mice are the least of our worries. No, the modern day rat race requires a better alarm clock instead, and lord knows we've seen plenty, from tickers that chomp your change to clocks that give you target practice. What we don't see that often is a clock that makes you think at the same time it provokes a physical action. Thus, the Twist Alarm Clock, which displays a simple math equation when it's time to wake up, but requires effort to silence. In order to quiet the alarm, you have to twist the numbered dials on either side of its LCD screen into the right position -- in this case, to figure out what minus what equals two. It's no Turing Alarm Clock, to be sure, but this human number cruncher's actually for sale; you can get yours for ¥2,625 (about $28) in Japan.
iLuv's iMM190 App Station dock rolls into availability
It's a bit later than the originally promised February release date, but iLuv has just announced that its iMM190 App Station iPhone / iPod touch dock is now available for $89.99. As we saw first-hand at CES, this one stands out from pack of iPhone / iPod docks somewhat by employing a custom iLuv app, which the company says will be frequently updated with new features. Of course, you can also use any other app you like (in both portrait or landscape mode), and the device will charge your iPhone or iPod touch just like any other dock, as well as accommodate other audio devices via its line-in jack -- no bed shaking with this one, though.
iLuv iPhone dock includes "bed shaker"
The iLuv iMM178 shares a lot in common with many iPod docks available in the market today: Play and charge your iPhone or iPod -- check. Alarm clock scheduling based on full-week, weekdays and weekends -- check. Alarm clock with customizable sounds -- check. Alarm clock that vibrates to wake you up -- wait, did I read that wrong, or did that say that this alarm clock will vibrate to wake me up? That's right, folks. The iLuv iMM178 (couldn't they have thought of a more friendly name?) is equipped with a corded "bed shaker" that, as its name suggests, will vibrate in tandem with your alarm. As the iLuv iMM178 wakes you up to The Beach Boys' "Good Vibrations," it can also literally give you some good vibrations of its own with its bed shaker. iLuv suggests that the bed shaker be placed underneath your pillow. In addition to these niceties, the iLuv iMM178 also plays FM radio, and has a time sync feature that reconciles time between it and your iPhone or iPod. iLuv's website lists the iMM178 at US$99.99, where it's available for purchase. Alternatively, you can improve your sleep habits with Sleep Cycle (available for $0.99), a bio-alarm clock iPhone app that analyzes your sleep patterns and wakes you when you are in the lightest sleep phase.
