Growing up I had a clock that featured an orb of light (i.e. lamp) that as my alarm time approached it would get gradually brighter. The theory was that your brain would sense the change in light and the whole waking up process would be more natural and less painful. Philips HF3490 Wake-up Light alarm clock does the exact same thing, but features a detachable iPod dock and an optional FM radio with 4 nature sounds. Unlike my childhood version, though, this one can also gradually dim to help you drift off to sleep.
You can pre-order the Philips HF3490 Wake-up Light alarm clock from Amazon for $200.
Bang & Olufsen have long been known for their unconventional approach to product design, but no other product in the company’s history has been as unusual as the BeoTime. Taking the shape of a flute, it features 3 monochrome displays that can be controlled by a square directional pad. Function wise the BeoTime can be programmed to turn on and off your lights, TV and sound system at set times and also serve as a sleep timer for those that like to lull themselves to sleep with the sound of TV or radio. Alternatively, the BeoTime also features a built-in chime to wake you up in the morning and a motion sensor that will not only activate its display when moved, but orientate the displays according to how it’s held.
Still in search for a solid bedside alarm clock? Well, if you don’t already own some sort of iPod dock enabled device then you might wanna take a look at the Satechi INSP3 WiFi Internet Radio. There is built-in WiFi and UPnP, which means you can stream music from any where in your home from both the Internet and your PC and it supports a plethora of audio formats: AAC, AIFF, AU, M4A, MP3, OGG, Real Audio, WAV and WMA. They’ve also tossed in a credit card sized remote and aesthetically I’m digging the shape and the display’s blue backlight. You can grab one now for $100.
Have you ever tried to fall asleep on a hot summers night while a mosquito buzzes above your head? Yeah, it’s impossible. So what better way to get your ass out of a slumber than with the Mosquito Alarm clock. Combine this with the Blowfly alarm clock we saw a few years ago and you’ve got yourself a hands down winner. The Animal Sound Alarm Clocks are also available in Cow and Rooster and cost $25.95 each.
There is no limit to these cryptic alarm clocks. The Finger Dance Alarm Clock will have you doing a Simon Says gig as soon as the alarm bells begin to blare. Just in case you were born post Simon Says’ peak of popularity, it means you’ll have to push the buttons in the same sequence they light up. Since I’m a repeat snoozer – I use my iPhone which takes one button mash – I should probably sign myself up for this. They’re currently out of stock but you can eventually grab one for £9.99 ($16 US).
For those of you who love pressing snooze for a good hour before rising but wish you had better willpower, enter the iLuv iMM153. All the normal clock dock functions apply here with the exception of the bed shaker. The product page doesn’t really divulge how it works exactly so I’ll go ahead and guess. I bet it’s slightly weighted so it stays on your bed. I bet it also acts as a snooze button, though you should be able to toggle that option on and off. I also bet you are supposed to put it under your pillow for maximum vibration. It would be cool if they came out with a giant subwoofer you could put under your bed that just vibrated you awake. Insert awesome joke here “ “. I like the idea and would love to give it a shot since I love to hate my snooze patterns. On sale this July for $60.
How would you like to wake up in pure serenity? I know I would. I’m not sure the Wind Chime Alarm Clock can fully deliver on that, but it’s doesn’t look too far off the mark, unless of course wind chimes just drive you nutty. It features 12-hour and 24-hour clocks, the date, a stopwatch function, and a good old fashion beeping alarm. Yours for $20. Video below.
Now that’s not to say modifications won’t be made. This is that gift that fanboys will literally gush over. Featuring an AM/FM radio, an Aux input for devices, and 3 different alarm noises, this will surely set your dreams off in a dark lord sort of way. On sale now for $30, I can see “Die-Hards” buying a bunch of these just to have in every room and in the car, etc. Made by Sakar International this wouldn’t even have to be a clock if it was a fleshlight.
It seems like just about every company wants to make a crazy clock these days. This one follows the theme of being mad at having to wake up and deactivates by being thrown against a wall. Embracing the children’s book Mr. Men by Roger Hargreaves, Mr. Bump will likely have a recurring bump on his head each morning. Available for $15 and you can pre-order it on 4/24. I still like the grenade alarm clock better.
We’ve all got different sleeping habits and if my girlfriend isn’t the most aware of mine than I don’t know who is. With that said, I don’t wanna be woken up at 8am when she arises for work, but yes, I inevitably do thanks to her ear blistering cell phone alarm. The Vibrating Alarm isn’t exactly the hottest piece of gear to hit the bedroom scene, but it surely will be a welcome one for night owl junkies like me. Just place the wire free vibrating pad under the pillow, set the alarm and your partner is awakened by a soft rattle to the dome. And, since its wireless, with a 100 foot range, it can double as a silent timer that slips into your pocket, but that seems pretty useless given the advent of the iPhone and many other vibrating handsets with a timer function.
