(Credit:
Gadgetshop.com)
The idea behind novelty alarm clocks is pretty simple--make it tough to turn off so the user doesn't go back to sleep. We've written about one that requires you to aim and shoot at a target, another that rises toward the ceiling so you are forced to stand up, and a puzzler that makes you solve a jigsaw.
Here's one that's actually good for your body, the Dumbbell Alarm Clock. Upon activation, this 1.5-pound device requires you to perform 30 upward swings before it will shut up. Rotate between your biceps and triceps each morning and soon, aside from being regularly on time for work, you'll have arms to die for, too. The Dumbbell Alarm Clock is available from Gadgetshop.com for $32.
(Source: Crave Asia via Red Ferret Journal)
Chino's AVi has a 7-inch LCD and DTV tuner for $199.99.
(Credit: Chinon)We've reviewed a portable DVD player with a built-in DTV tuner and Sony's LBT-LCD7Di Muteki Shelf System with a built-in DVD player and LCD. But Chinon's $200 AVi iPod dock is the first portable iPod speaker system we've seen that has both an integrated 7-inch LCD for showing iPod videos and a DTV tuner.
Chinon says the AVi is "designed for use at home or on the road" and it also is equipped with an FM radio and alarm clock, though no GSM-shielding for iPhones.
Unfortunately, to really be able to pull in DTV signals, you're going to have to attach the included external TV antenna. It's also worth noting that while the AVi is portable, if you want to cut the AC cord and go totally mobile, you'll need to pick up eight "C" batteries and they only power the unit for about 3 hours, according to Chinon. That's not too appealing.
Comments? Are these types of iPod-hybrid-AV systems the wave of the future or just plain silly?
Click to see the Chumby One unboxing photo gallery.
(Credit: Donald Bell/CNET)That was quick. A day after going on sale, the Chumby One cheerfully landed on my desk this morning. Curious to see what's inside? Take a look at Crave's Chumby One unboxing photo gallery.
The $99 Chumby One ditches the plush look of the previous model and gets a performance boost.
(Credit: Chumby Industries)The Chumby One (which is technically Chumby No. 2) officially made its way into the manufacturer's online storefront Wednesday, priced at a tantalizing $99.
For those who didn't catch the Chumby phenomenon the first time around, the gist of the thing is a do-it-all, hardware host for Internet widgets. You can use it to check the weather, update your Facebook status, browse your photos on Flickr, tune in to Internet radio, play games, and more. The original Chumby was a blast (I still use one at home for listening to Pandora), but it was a bit of a rich-kid novelty at $179.
Chumby One represents a leaner, faster, cheaper take on the original. Aside from ditching the plush Italian leather and beanbag shape of the original for the clean lines of ABS plastic, the new Chumby benefits from a faster processor (454MHz), a built-in FM radio, a dedicated volume knob, 2GB of microSD memory, and a single USB 2.0 port. They've now made it portable, too, with an optional rechargeable lithium ion battery good for an hour of use.
Many features haven't changed, which is surprising when you consider the big price drop. You still get a relatively spacious 3.5-inch resistive LCD touch screen, a 3.5mm stereo output, 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi, accelerometer control, and an AC adapter. Let's hope you can still play Quake on it.
Also, is anybody else thinking this thing is just a camera away from working as a Skype video phone? Come on developers, there's a built-in microphone, a USB 2.0 port, a reasonably fast processor--make it happen, OK?
Ever get so annoyed with your alarm clock you feel like yelling at it? With Moshi clocks, your words will actually accomplish something.
(Credit: Moshi)If Moshi's voice-responsive alarm clock got you in the habit of talking to clocks, you can now continue the dialogue while traveling.
Moshi's Voice Control Travel Alarm Clock is a smaller, cheaper version of the earlier device. Like the Moshi IVR Clock, the new clock lets you use nine voice control commands to do things like turn the alarm on and off ("set alarm...7:30 a.m."), hit snooze, ask for the temperature, and access a help menu. As far as we can tell, the device does not respond to exhaustion-related rants.
The travel clock measures 3.75 inches by 2.75 inches by 1 inches, costs $24.99, and comes in four colors--white, blue, pink, and black.
(Credit:
Quirky)
Good thing the lightbulb-shaped Watt Time alarm clock (Watt Time, geddit?!) isn't made of glass or it could pose a hazard when annoyed sleepers roll over to smack the snooze button located on the top of the socket.
Instead, the gizmo is constructed of high-gloss, hard plastic that illuminates the bright blue LED time display. If you don't like waking to sound, you can set the bulb to light up when it's time to crawl out of bed.
(Credit:
Quirky)
While the Watt Time features a sleek, simple design (all set buttons sit discretely on the back of the bulb), the product might not appeal to those with meticulous interior-design taste. After all, it could appear at first glance that you just left an old bulb on your nightstand when you went to change the one in the reading lamp.
Still, it's a bright idea for people who like their products infused with a touch of playful.
Watt Time comes via Quirky, a relatively new collaborative design community that also conceived of the super-cute DigiDue tripod we told you about recently. The Watt Time is currently on presale at Quirky's online store for $24.99.
We all know that invading space aliens have one primary objective, and that is to impregnate human kind. That and possibly to collect today's assortment of handy gadgets for use on their own planet. Meanwhile, there we'll be, doing their alien chores and cooking their alien dinners for them with no ability to break from their alien spell. Aren't we just a sad bunch of humanoid life forms?
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EPISODE 151
Cool Window Phone would simulate the weather
Gizmo gauges gals’ fertility–20,000 times a day
Japanese rescue robot consumes injured humans
The 10 most badass sci-fi battlesuits ever
STS-111 multisegment airship is not a flying sandworm but a flying spermatozoon
... Read more
(Credit:
Jongchul Kim/Coroflot)
You've got to love designer Jongchul Kim's quirky take on the Cuckoo Clock. Aptly named the Bungee Clock, this features a little "man" that announces the hour, thens leap out his window--about 24 times a day, poor fella--in what must seem to him like an endless Groundhog Day.
As a value-add, this comes with a tiny camera below to act as a security eye. It's all still a concept, but hopefully when this clock does reach the mainstream, there'll be an option to customize a minifig version of yourself in place of the jumper.
(Credit:
Jongchul Kim/Coroflot)
(Source: Crave Asia)
Wi-Fi radios would seem to be a perfect bedside companion, but surprisingly few of them are designed to work as an alarm clock.
The Acoustic Research ARIR200 is one of few that is designed to (at least try to) wake you up in the morning, with a big snooze button on top and easy access to the alarm via buttons on the top. In addition, the ARIR200 is packed with many features not seen even on more expensive radios, including the ability to record stations to its internal memory, Slacker streaming, and weather updates--all for a very reasonable street price of about $100.
So why the half-hearted praise? Unfortunately we ran into some connectivity problems (although only at the office) and the ARIR200 tends to emit a hissing sound that's annoying even at this price. We were also disappointed that Acoustic Research didn't throw in dual alarm functionality, especially because it's available on the competing Aluratek Internet Radio.
The Acoustic Research ARIR200 doesn't have any deal-breaking flaws and the price is right, but a few critical improvements would have made us like it a lot more.
Jasmine France joins us as we cover a slew of unreadable watches, clocks and bulletproof watch winding safes. She also shows off her insane ability to read the faces of watches that no one else can decipher.
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 |
EPISODE 147 |
Samsung claims its watch is world's slimmest
Turning a Power Mac G3 into a wall clock (Thanks, Nicholas!)
Digital black-and-white clock is a milestone in minimalism
... Read more
