n01getsout.com’s blog

I am disappointed that a device that we all use (and loathe) every day has not progressed much at all in the last 10 or 20 years. I have looked in every store and compared online the options of alarm clocks both cheap and expensive. At best, the alarm clocks out there are basic, at worst they are complex - having too many features that require multiple simultaneous button presses. All seem to suffer from either poor design, poor implementation, or both. The other day I ran into a device powered by Linux called the chumby. At first, the review I read made it seem perfect, but after reading more about it I found that the alarm clock looked more like an after-thought.

So here is what I think a good alarm clock should be able to do:

• Play MP3s, Ogg Vorbis, Shoutcast streaming radio, FM, XM Radio, and possibly HD Radio (if HD Radio turns out to be worth a shit)
• An alarm that will still operate when running on the battery backup (lithium ion?), even if it is a reduced functionality mode (simple buzzer perhaps?)

• Open source software/firmware (based on Linux?)
• Low power consumption (OLED screen, solid state hard drive, etc)
• Integrated accelerometers to sense movement (so the alarm turns off if you punch it :P)
• Integrated 802.11 wireless (and maybe Bluetooth)
  • support for different types of encryption (WEP, WPA2)
  • internal antenna for pleasing aesthetics
• A built-in firewall that blocks all WAN traffic, with the possible exception of the remote web config page (which implies that the alarm clock should be able to be programmed via the Internet)
• The ability to access network storage for playing music over your home network
• Time synchronization over the Internet (NTP) or by radio signal
• Has an option for automatic Daylight Saving Time adjustments
• A light sensor that can automatically dim the display when the room is dark
• Allow the light to be turned off completely and have it light up briefly when a button is pressed
• Volume that gradually increases when the alarm first goes off
• Two different volumes, one for the alarm and one for listening to music
• The speaker should be capable of getting very loud (for all of you deep sleepers out there)
• The length of time the alarm goes off should be customizable
• A snooze bar that can be programmed to the users specific desire (e.g. the first time it is pressed it sleeps for 10 minutes, the second time it sleeps for 5 minutes, the third time it sets off the buzzer :P)
• A “safe mode” in case the network storage or Internet streaming radio is not available
  • perhaps check to see if the volume is < 10% for 30 seconds
  • let the user set the order preference (for example: streaming radio -> network storage -> FM radio -> buzzer)
  • have a small amount of built-in storage for MP3s to use for backup
• If you have turned off the alarm but the light sensor doesn’t sense any light, it can optionally activate a second “oh shit, I slept in again” alarm (maybe display a frowny face on the display)
• iCalendar support (to synchronize the alarm clock with Microsoft Outlook, Thunderbird, etc)
  • set multiple alarms per day (for multiple users)
  • have alarms set for different times on different days of the week (e.g. Mon-7am, Tue-off, Wed-6am)
  • choose a different playlist/station for each day (e.g. NPR radio on weekdays, MP3 playlist on Saturday, religious sermon on Sunday)
  • import a calendar of holidays
  • one time exceptions and one time alarms
• USB ports for expansion
  • flash memory storage
  • iPod adapter/charger (play music from your iPod)
  • the always popular USB mini lava lamp or USB mini aquarium
• All settings fully customizable with no options hidden from power users (perhaps like the about:config page in Firefox)
• Can turn on”The Perfect Coffee Pot™” for you

The closest I have ever come to finding my dream alarm clock is the Neverlate Executive Alarm Clock from American Innovative. It has quite a few of the features I have listed here and they somehow managed to have it cost less than many of the other alarm clocks I looked at. I haven’t bought one yet, but I have thought about it several times. Keep the improvements coming, guys!