(Credit:
Perfect Third)
Please forgive me if I take the easy humor route and inject a few "Twilight: New Moon" jokes into my posts over the next few days. I haven't been sleeping well and when that happens I get groggy and tend to go for the easy laugh. The problem is that some nights I just don't get enough sleep (no, not a vampire). I go to bed at different times and always try to wake up at 8.
That being said, I'd like to try the WakeMate sometime to see how it can help me be more rested so I can make better jokes for all of you. It's a cell phone accessory that monitors and analyzes your sleep and then uses the data to wake you up at the optimal point in your sleep cycle.
Sleep analytics like this have been around for a while, but WakeMate appears to be the first system that uses off-the-shelf components (Bluetooth, iPhones, etc.) to bring the method to the masses.
Sleepers wear a wristband that tracks movements during sleep. The motion data is then analyzed to determine sleep patterns and circadian rhythms and sent to a device, like an iPhone, via Bluetooth. At just the right moment in the sleep cycle, the alarm goes off, hopefully waking snoozers to a great morning. Also included are personalized instructions on how to improve your slumber.
The WakeMate is the first product from Perfect Third, a company funded by venture firm Y Combinator, which focuses on early-stage start-ups. Other noted Y Combinator-funded companies include Loopt, Justin.tv, and Reddit. WakeMate is available for preorder for $49.99 from Perfect Third's site and we're guessing we'll hear a lot more about it in the coming months--if we can stay awake, that is.
The WakeMate delivers data on your sleep patterns, as well as suggestions for getting more rested.
(Credit: Perfect Third)
Toshiba Satellite L515
(Credit: Toshiba)The Satellite L series, Toshiba's student-targeted budget line of laptops, comes in three flavors, all with 16x9 TruBrite LED-backlit displays and a large variety of configurations (AMD Turion, Intel Pentium or Core 2 Duo processors, optional ATI Radeon 3100 graphics, hard drives starting at 250 GB, RAM from 1 to 4 GB).
The Satellite L500/505 (starting at $549.99) - comes with a 15.1-inch screen
The Satellite L510/515 (starting at $649.99) - has a 13.4-inch screen, but a thinner chassis
The Satellite L550/555 (starting at $649.99) - 16.4-inch screen
Other features include:
- 720p screen resolution
- Fusion finish with Breeze pattern in a graphite color (for those who can comprehend stylespeak)
- PC Health monitor and power-saving Eco utitlites
- Numeric keypads for 15.6-inch models and larger
- Recyclable packaging and mercury-free LED displays
OK, now for the other four lines. The Satellite M, U, A and P series all got updates too. Deep breath, and...
While the L series is the pure budget line, consider the M, U, A and P lines to be the more stylish Satellites. The Satellite U500/505 (starting at $849.99) and M500/505 (starting at $699.99) headline the lighter, more mobile Satellite class of '09, while the Satellite A500/505 (starting at $749.99) and P500/505 (starting at $799.99) add harmon/kardon speakers, LED-backlit media touch-keys, slot-loading DVD drives, and edge-to-edge glass displays in 16 and 18.4 inches.
It can all get a little numbing, especially when each line can be customized to order. We've got our eyes on the A and P line as the prettiest of the Q3 Satellite bumper crop, at least in terms of design. More when we get our hands on them ourselves.
All are currently available in the U.S.
This week was FILLED with conceptual ideas that were sometimes pure genius, and sometimes pure WTH. Seriously, Pornisonic, we are talking to you! Natali Del Conte and Gknee join the party to make this extra-long episode 80 percent female, 20 percent male. Has this ever happened at CNET before?!
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EPISODE 142 |
Programmable doorbell blends soothing chimes with real wood craftsmanship
Panasonic’s limp remote concept is both cool and unsettling
Tennis star Maria Sharapova dons geeky light-up phone dress
B-Touch cell phone with Braille touch screen is an iPhone for the blind
Nested cellphones track techno-evolution
Power outlet wall solves your electrical needs
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The Zeo bedside display shows you personal sleep information such as how long you really sleep each night, and how long it takes you to doze off.
(Credit: Zeo)It seems like the market for alarm clocks and smart wake-you-up gadgets is getting more competitive than cell phones, MP3 players, and autos. But here's a new entry worth noting for those who already tried starting the day with the obnoxious Clocky, the Shocking Alarm Clock, the Philips Wake-Up Light, or even the Wake n' Bacon.
It's called Zeo, and it's a "personal sleep coach" that can give you data on the quantity, quality, and depth of your slumber. The product is being released now by Newton, Mass.-based Zeo, formerly known as Axon Labs, a Rhode Island start-up.
When the gadget first captured our attention in 2005, it was called SleepSmart and was essentially one of those devices that would make awakening less startling by choosing a moment when you are already sleeping lightly, like Sleeptracker or aXbo do.
The headband sends personal sleep data wirelessly to the bedside display.
(Credit: Zeo)Zeo is based on a headband that tracks your sleep patterns via a sensor that monitors electrical signals from your brain.
But the people at Axon probably realized how cruel the alarm clock market is and turned it into a lifestyle product by adding a whole sleep clinic concept, somewhat akin to the Snoremonitor for iPhone.
The headband transmits data wirelessly to a bedside display, where it's stored on an SD card.
The sleep information can then be uploaded to the "myZeo Personal Coaching" Web site, where the beauty begins with concepts such as a personal sleep score or "ZQ;" information on the "7 Sleep Stealers;" and a full "7 Step Sleep Fitness Program." The site notes that sleeplessness "is now the third biggest health complaint in the world after headache and cold, and there are currently over 80 known kinds of chronic sleep disorders."
We admit that this sleep fitness concept attracts the lazy part of us more than a gadget that forces us to head to the gym. Maybe that's just what could make Zeo survive in the wild, wild jungle of alarm clocks.
The Toshiba NB250-310 Netbook can charge USB gadgets all the time.
(Credit: Toshiba)The Netbook arena keeps growing, but it's a good thing new features sprout up once in a while to keep our attention going. Toshiba's NB205 line of Netbooks are on their way to the U.S., in two different form-factor flavors: one for lovers of flat-keyboarded black machines, and a slightly slicker model with raised keys and bright colors.
What makes them truly notable notebooks, however, is their inclusion of a sleep-and-charge USB port. Available on other Toshiba models of laptops, the port can charge USB devices even when the Netbook is turned off. This is a great idea: it turns your dormant Netbook into a makeshift backup battery for your travel gear. It's a good thing, then, that the NB205 comes with a six-cell battery standard instead of a three-cell, because if you're like we are at an airport, you're going to use that sleep-and-charge quite a bit.
The NB205's specs are otherwise Netbook-standard: an Intel N280 processor (slightly faster than the more common N270), 1GB DDR2 RAM expandable to 2GB, 160GB HD, Windows XP, a 10.1-inch TruBrite LED-backlit LCD, and 802.11 b/g wireless. There's also a 2-in-1 memory card slot and an RGB port for display connection. Packed with a six-cell battery, the NB205 weighs 2.9 pounds. There's also a built-in hard-drive impact sensor included in all models.
For a difference of 50 dollars, two configurations are available, with Bluetooth available in the NB205-310, but otherwise identical internal specs. The NB205-210, priced at $350, only comes in black and has a full flat keyboard. The NB205-310 is $400, but has a metallic finish, comes in four different colors (Sable Brown, Frost White, Posh Pink, and Indigo Blue), and has a raised "chiclet" keyboard in the style of the MacBook. The touchpads in both models promise to be "laptop-size," and from the photos, they look more than ample.
The NB205 line is Energy Star 5.0 compliant.
Dr. Michael Breus, the Sleep Doctor, joins us today for what is quite possibly the most informative show we've ever done. No iPhone OS 3.0 news here today. We've got something so much better. It's our 300th episode, and we're still not canceled! *Fingers crossed.*
(Credit:
Warner Bros./Wilson Tang)
That's right, we're still amazed. 300!
If you've ever listened to the show, you know we push the limit of acceptable behavior--even on the Interwebs. Justin has his poop jokes. Wilson has his stuffed peppers. And Jeff has his general hatred of humanity and happiness. Thank you, our listeners, for keeping us alive and giving us a reason to come into work every day. Go out and celebrate St. Patrick's Day with your friends, call The 404, and let us know why you listen to the show. 1-866-404-CNET (2638).
We couldn't think of any better way to celebrate than to have Dr. Michael Breus on the show. Why would an Internet culture show have a sleep doctor on? Because boy do we love sleep, and we promise you won't be disappointed. He talks about how long you should sleep. What you should eat before you go to bed. Whether clear liquor or dark liquors will give you a hang over. We cover it all. Thank you so much for your questions. He's got a great blog too.
Celebrating episode 301 tomorrow, we've got debbiefromtoronoto coming on the show. She's going to bring a big bag of goodies. We can't wait to get a hold of those ketchup potato chips. And for 302, we've got Jonathan Coulton, musician and generally cool dude. Be prepared for more awesomeness.
EPISODE 300
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Back from the weekend, Justin watches "Watchmen" again, Wilson catches "Coraline" in 3D, and Jeff tries to kill himself when his parents and soon-to-be parents-in-law spend the weekend picking a place to get married and the font of the invitation envelopes.
Speaking of "Caroline" in 3D, it gave Wilson a massive headache. The film was incredibly imaginative and creative yet the story was a bit lacking. Reminds Wilson of "Alice in Wonderland."
In actual stories today, we talk mostly about Twitter. Jason Calacanis wants to pay the company $250,000 so that he can be at the top of suggested followers list. While we think suggested followers is a halfway decent idea (especially if they personalize the list), we don't especially think we want to follow Calacanis all day long. Also, Twitter may have caused a mistrial in a case where a juror tweeted the jury's finding. Twitter! Haven't you caused enough damage to people's lives!?!?
Tomorrow, we have Dr. Michael Breus, the Sleep Doctor, on the show. So please call into the show with all your questions about sleep. While it may sounds like a "snoozer"--Ha, get it?!?!--we promise the Sleep Doctor has never failed to entertain. Also, on the show on Wednesday is debbiefromtoronto, probably the hottest Canandian blonde fan of The 404. And ending the week is the composer of "Still Alive" from The Orange Box, Jonathan Coulton. As usually, the number is 1-866-404-CNET (2638). We need callbacks for the show. You know the part where we go, "Hey this is Jeff Bakalar from Hoboken, New Jersey, and you're listening to The 404, the show where [INSERT WITTY COMMENT]."
EPISODE 299
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Jeff, Justin and Wilson start the show off right today with a SNL Christopher Walken reference. Always a great way to start the day. Getting into actual stories, we chat about ways to actually sleep. Tip #1: Sleep when you are tired. iTunes launches an indie music store. Gore Verbinski decides to make a video game based on Clue. And yes, people stalk their exes online.
EPISODE 287
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You better clean up your act, random gadgets and services! That's right, we're talking to you. You can't escape our scorn, because you JUST...DON'T...GET IT! Don't think we won't continue to use you, though. Cold turkey was never our strong suit.
Listen now: Download today's podcast
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EPISODE 125 |
Today’s episode inspired by Tributes.com
Dell’s Mini 10 Netbook debuting on…QVC?
Wheego Whip electric car coming to America in May for $19K
All the DJ’s in the house say “OW”--the Samsung Beat DJ has arrived
Bear sleeping bag will keep you safe from bear attacks, I assume
The eagerly anticipated MP3 speaker/perfume convergence
A propos (of) nothing
... Read more
If you happen to have to sleep next to a snorer, there's now hope. And it runs with batteries.
HBI, a maker of biomedical devices, on Tuesday introduced a new device, called SnorePro, that can keep you from being awakened by snores. It's a small wrist-worn device that a snorer wears when going to bed. The device uses HBI's proprietary Dynamic Snore Detection technology to detect snores and gently issue a programmable digital pulse to prevent snoring.
(Credit:
HBI)
HBI--which not long ago came out with an acupressure wristband to induce sleep--claims the digital pulse functions much like a spouse nudging his or her snoring bedmate. Over time, this trains the body of the snorer to change sleep positions to eliminate the snoring.
According to statistics, bedmates of snorers lose an average of one hour of sleep per night because of snoring. The stimulation may disturb the snorer but helps their bedmates sleep as they won't have to nudge the snorer anymore.
The SnorePro features a built-in LCD screen that displays snore history and allows users to track their improvements over time. Other than that, it can also help identify and address external factors such as sleep position or consumption of alcohol/cigarettes, which are often the causes of increased snoring.
The device offers an adjustable threshold of snore intensity (measured in decibels) filtered against any background ambient noises. This allows the unit to adapt to the sleepers' environment without triggering a fault pulse.
The SnorePro will be available soon for $119.99. During the initial three-month launch period, however, it will be sold at a discounted price of $99.99.
