One of the advantages of using the cell phone as an alarm clock is their multi-use capabilities are right there at arm's reach before going to bed and upon waking up. Smart phones aren't just alarm clocks, but also radios, custom jukeboxes that can replace that horrible buzzer, give you the day's forecast at a glance, while also keeping you immediately on point with the day's schedule. That old fashioned alarm clock doesn't seem so useful now, does it? But sometimes heavy sleepers need extra help in the wake up department, and that's where alarm docking stations merge yesterday and today's tech...
WakeMate
This is a more complex system than just an alarm clock. Together, the WakeMate wristband and application help you wake up feeling refreshed. Using proprietary sleep pattern software called "Wakelytics", its optimizes your waking hours by automatically analyzing your sleep and illuminating personal habits that affect your sleep. You just enter the parameters of your waking time and the system does the rest for you. Amazing!
Sony ICF-C7IP
We like that the Sony ICF-C7IP includes multiple wake-up features. It packs a wide variety of functions into one compact design. It has a hidden sliding dock tray, That lets you dock your compatible iPhone or iPod. A dual alarm lets you set two separate wake-up times with the option of waking up to the music stored on your iPhone, iPod, or favorite radio station. Additional features include an AM/FM tuner with 30 presets, a large and easy-to-read LCD and an included remote control that lets you manage your tunes from around the room.
Lark Up Alarm Clock
With the new Lark alarm clock system, it makes waking up a peaceful event. LARK consists of an iPhone application, a wristband and a custom bedside stand for your iphone, when the alarm goes off the wristband vibrates, and this is designed to wake you up without having a noisy alarm. We love that!
Silence Alarm Clock
Even that this is not an iPhone alarm clock, we love the concept of an alarm that wakes you up silently without waking someone else up. It all sounds very futuristic, but that's exactly the type of concept industrial designer Johan Brengesjo has been working on. Silence is a wireless-connected rubber ring with an integrated vibration device that generates a tactile alarm of natural kinetic movements. Worn on a person's finger, the ring also comes with a snooze function which can be engaged by shaking the hand of the ring finger. Each successive time you want to snooze, more movement is required to activate the function. That's a great idea!
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I combine the "Dawn" app on the Chumby (gradually increasing light and bird noises) with my phone alarm, which goes off about 15 minutes after the Chumby goes on. It helps to be sorta-kinda awake before the ring-a-ding alarm gets going.
I've been interested in getting one of those alarm clocks that wake you up at your optimal wake time. But I just don't want to use my cell phone for this.
My cell phone works fine but soemtimes I don't want my email and texts and all that stuff right next to me. Also, nice to have something that has a speaker and dock in it. And an old fashioned radio (even with all the apps, to get NPR in the morning, the radio is still pretty easy (or bringing a laptop into the bedroom). Only wish there were more options for small footprint docking stations/alarm clock/radios (so they wont take up much room on a night stand). Oddly, few are iPhone 4 compatible. Just a clock radio is cheap - under $20 at most drug stores - but the sound is terrible.
I use my iphone, leave it on a desk across the room so I have to get up to turn it off. You can turn the ringer off to avoid all the email/txt notification but the alarm will still ring. Blackberry is the same way.
I use an alarm clock only as a backup on really important days. I still have clocks all around my place too, in the kitchen, on the desk, on the nightstand, bath vanity and walk in closet.
I
call me old-fashioned, but I still prefer an alarm clock that stays plugged into my wall so I don't forget to put it there every night.
I put my iphone next to me on the bed and set my alarm to vibrate mode (no sound). That's enough for me!