Oh! Gizmo

By Evan Ackerman

This is what’s called a sundial cannon, or a noon cannon. Assuming the weather cooperates, at noon exactly the lens on the sundial focuses sunlight onto a pan filled with gunpowder, setting off the cannon to mark the time. Generally, the cannons weren’t loaded with shot, but with all of the novelty alarm clocks out there, it seems like one that automatically shoots you could be really, really effective, in a potentially dangerous sort of way. And hey, it’s even solar powered.

VIA [ Neatorama ]

By Andrew Liszewski

When it comes to marketing and product tie-ins I think the only company that can give Lucasarts a run for its money is the WWE. So in this corner we have the WWE Smackdown Alarm Clock Radio which features wake up calls from current WWE stars like John Cena, Edge, Triple H and even the Undertaker. (Yeah apparently he’s still alive.) Or you can just choose to wake up to the radio, it’s your call.

But what makes this alarm clock ever so slightly more interesting is the large blue wrestling mat on top which is actually the snooze button. So for a few extra minutes of shut eye in the morning all you need to do is body slam your fist onto it. They still do that move right? $29.99 available from Digital Blue.

[ WWE Smackdown Alarm Clock Radio ] VIA [ 7Gadgets ]

By Andrew Liszewski

I like the idea of an alarm clock with an iPod dock allowing you to listen to your own music in the morning, instead of what the local radio stations play. But I don’t like the idea
of my iPod or iPhone having to stay perched on my dresser all night long. That’s not an issue with the Yamaha TSX-W80 alarm clock though since your iPod or iPhone sits in a portable cradle that uses the company’s AirWired technology to wirelessly transmit your tunes to the alarm. And besides a design that borders on retro, the TSX-W80 is pretty basic with an FM tuner, digital clock with alarms, remote control and 2.1 speakers. It’s expected to be available sometime in December, but pricing info hasn’t been announced.

[ Yamaha TSX-W80 ] VIA [ Akihabara News ]

By Andrew Liszewski

I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, it takes a whole lot of alarm clock to get me out of bed in the morning. A whimpy electronic beep or even music at full volume just isn’t enough to instantly snap me out of my nightly coma. What I need is something like this.

Designed by Sam Hecht, the Bell Alarm Clock is not unlike the classic double-bell alarms of yesteryear, except that it forgoes the often inaccurate wind-up clock mechanism for a battery-powered electronic version, and it features a single large bell instead of two smaller ones. Simple, but loud and effective. It’s available in your choice of red, black or white finishes from Charles & Marie for $65, but I prefer the white version since the bell on the back has a classy chrome finish.

[ Bell Alarm Clock ] VIA [ bookofjoe ]

By Andrew Liszewski

If you miss your old CRT TV this retro-looking alarm clock might help fill the massive void left in your entertainment center, and possibly your heart. It’s designed to look like an old-school ‘portable’ CRT set with its overly rounded display and carrying handle, but the only show you’ll be watching is the 12/24 hour clock that of course includes an alarm function. As you can see it even comes with a mock remote that is used to turn off the alarm tones or activate an LED backlight that doubles as a handy nightlight. ~$33 from Thumbs Up (UK) though it appears you’ll need to order at least 6 of them.

[ Television Alarm Clock ] VIA [ Coolest Gadgets ]

By Andrew Liszewski

In the mornings I spend as much time watching the clock as I do getting ready, and if I just got up and got everything done, my morning routine would probably take half as long. Unfortunately, as a professional procrastinator that just isn’t gonna happen, but I can still appreciate the idea behind this Morning Countdown Clock.

It allows you to set two alarms, one for waking up and one for when you’re supposed to head out the door, and the clock will announce the remaining time at the 1 hour mark, the 45, 30, 20, 15, 10, 5, 3, 2, and one 1 minute marks, 30 seconds, 20 seconds and finally a 10 second countdown. It’s probably rather annoying, but I guess it’s supposed to be that way to keep you on time in the morning. $33 from the Japan Trend Shop in your choice of white or blue, and I have a sneaking suspicion that the time announcements might actually be in Japanese.

[ Morning Countdown Clock ]

By David Ponce

Bang & Olufsen are better known for their impossibly expensive and allegedly superior speakers. Who knew then that they’d dabble in something so mundane as alarm clocks. Of course, they wouldn’t be living up to their name if they’d done any old alarm clock. In the BeoTime, you’ll find a “built-in motion sensor and subtle automatic backlighting.” Motion sensor? It’s not what you’re thinking, it’s more like the iPhone’s, to properly align the LCD display.

Of course, we asked ourselves just why it looks like this… And sure enough B&O’s site had a handy answer:

Inspired by the conflict between night and day in Mozart’s The Magic Flute, BeoTime is visually unlike any alarm clock you have ever seen. And yet every innovation is grounded in clever functionality. The horizontal line and square panels relax the eye to suit a bedroom setting, whether you place BeoTime on a side table or hang it on the supplied magnetic wall fixture. The tube shape is easy to hold when setting wake-up or shut-down times or using BeoTime for basic remote functionality.

Right… We’re thinking this sounds just like the kind of talk that always manages to separate certain folk from ridiculous amounts on money… in this particular case €311. Given B&O’s relative success in the market place we can only conclude that the world is full of people with more money than sense.

[ Product Page ] VIA [ Xataka ]