By Andrew Liszewski

Since an alarm clock shaped like the iconic ‘ball’ from Pong doesn’t sound particularly exciting, it’s not surprising that someone has licensed Pac Man instead, bringing the famous dot-eating, ghost-hunting yellow protagonist to your nightstand. Powered by a couple of AAA batteries it’s your pretty basic alarm clock actually, but the buttons feature cherry, bell and ghost decals, and it plays several authentic Pac Man sound effects including the highly recognizable start-up ditty and the ominous wakka-wakka-wakka. ~$24 available from Firebox.com.

[ Pac Man Alarm Clock ] VIA [ 7Gadgets ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Those of you who spent too much time at the arcade growing up, and now spend too much time in bed every morning might appreciate this arcade cabinet-shaped alarm clock that will wake you up with a “barrage of retro gaming sounds.” I’m not sure what they are specifically, but who could ever sleep through a barrage?

The tiny joysticks and buttons also apparently work, and are used for setting the time and alarm. But looking at the simple (and I’m going to assume simulated in that product shot) LCD display I have to wonder if this thing could be a lot cooler. Like would it add that much to the cost to add a full-color LCD display with simulated retro-game graphics? And how about requiring the user to enter the Konami code in order to turn the alarm off in the morning?

At around $22 (£13.99) it’s not that expensive, but I’m willing to bet that gamers would pay a premium if someone went the extra mile with this idea.

[ Arcade Alarm Clock ] VIA [ Nerd Approved ]

By Andrew Liszewski

Borrowing some design and functionality cues from Philips’ LivingColor lighting systems, the Orb alarm clock features a clear acrylic design with a delicious glowing center that cycles through a rainbow of colors, supposedly helping you drift off to sleep easier. There’s also your standard LCD display slapped on the front that includes the time and temperature (it would be cool if that were tied into the color of the light) and if the sound of the standard alarm clock shriek is too unnerving for you, you also have the choice of six different soothing sounds to wake up to including ‘rolling waves’, ‘dawn on the farm’ and ‘morning chorus’. ~$20 (£12.49) from BoysStuff.co.uk.

[ Color Changing Orb Alarm Clock ] VIA [ 7Gadgets ]

By Andrew Liszewski

I won’t even keep a glass of water on my bedside table for fear of it accidentally getting spilled during the night, so the idea of having a boiling pot of water a foot away from my bed in the morning kind of scares me. Even if you really enjoy tea for breakfast, is this bedside Teasmade alarm clock really worth the risk? Like timer equipped coffee makers, the Teasmade will brew about 600ml of tea in a small ceramic pot just prior to the alarm going off (as long as you remember to fill it with water and tea bags the night before) so you always wake up to a fresh pot. But unlike timer equipped coffee makers, which are designed to be used in the kitchen, this thing has the potential to do some serious morning harm if you’re not the type to wake up with all of your senses intact.

It’s available from MenKind for about $88 (£59.99) and if you have to have one, please use it responsibly, as third degree burns are no way to start your day.

[ Swan Teasmade Alarm Clock ] VIA [ Random Good Stuff ]

By Andrew Liszewski

While it’s admittedly a lot bulkier than your typical travel alarm clock, the iP49 from iHome is the first one I’ve seen that includes an iPod/iPhone dock, perfect if the hotel or friend/family member you’re staying with doesn’t already provide a similar amenity. It comes with an AC adapter to power the alarm/charge your iPod/iPhone, but if the place your staying doesn’t even have electricity, a built-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery is also at your disposal.

The iP49 has a simple folding clamshell design which protects the insides while it’s packed away in a bag or suitcase, and as you can see in the product shots, it doesn’t skimp on speakers either. According to the iHome site the alarm features “…Bongiovi Acousitcs’ patented Digital Power Station technology and four neodymium compression drivers…” providing studio quality sound wherever you are. Other features include separate weekday/weekend alarms, customizable snooze times and gradual wake and sleep volume controls so you’re not jarred awake in the morning. $159.99 available directly from iHome.

[ iHome iP49 ] VIA [ ChipChick ]

By Andrew Liszewski

The gadget world is inundated with all manner of novelty alarm clocks designed to discourage you from just hitting the snooze button in the morning, and now there’s one more! Besides a unique twisting body which I assume allows you to change the clock’s modes and easily set the time or the alarm, the Twist Alarm Clock will also challenge you with math problems once it’s time to wake up. The alarm won’t stop until you properly solve a basic math equation, and as you can see in the product shot, since 5 minus 4 doesn’t equal 2, the poor chap who tried to solve this one won’t be seeing any peace and quiet anytime soon.

For the time being it’s only available in Japan for about $30, unless you can find someone who will import it, and I wouldn’t actually worry about it becoming too annoying since I’m sure it will work with that age old equation; alarm clock + wall = silence.

[ Twist Alarm Clock ] VIA [ CrunchGear ]

By Andrew Liszewski

During their coverage of the Nuremberg Toy Fair, Hobby Media came across these oversized Star Wars LEGO minifig alarm clocks. So far I haven’t exactly been blown away by LEGO’s entry into the electronics market, but these guys totally make up for that disappointing clock radio we brought you last year. I’ve no idea when the alarm clocks will be available, or if you’ll be able to get versions based on other characters, or why their claw hands seem so much creepier on a larger scale.

[ Hobby Media - LEGO Star Wars Alarm Clocks ] VIA [ Technabob ]

By Andrew Liszewski

The image above is just a prototype, and is subject to change according to StarWarsShop.com, but those of you who don’t spend your time whining about how George Lucas stole your childhood might find this a cool addition to your Star Wars collection. It’s your run-of-the-mill battery-powered alarm clock with snooze function and a digital display, but when the alarm goes off an ominous silhouette of Darth Vader is projected on the wall, beckoning you to join the dark side of waking up. $26.99 though only available for pre-order now since it won’t ship until May of this year.

[ Darth Vader Shadow Alarm Clock ]

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 ]