Gizmodo Australia » clocks

An Alarm Clock The Size Of Your Bed

Jesus Diaz — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 02:45:56 +0000

This is exactly what I need: A bed with integrated alarm clock, so I can check the time by passing my fingers over it. OK, not true: What I need is a hammock on a beach and no clocks whatsoever.

But if I’m forced to use it, I won’t complain. Designed by Florian Schärfer, the Melted Clock bed has integrated speakers, touch-sensitive buttons to snooze and control playback, and a haptic, touch-sensitive alarm clock. Not a bad concept.

Still, the hammock and cocktails sound a lot better. [Yanko Design via Unplggd]

Moving Scroll Bar Clock Makes My Inner Web Designer Queasy

John Herrman — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 21:40:00 +0000

On the surface, scroll clock looks like a simple visual trick: Look, it’s a clock made out of moving scroll bars! This is a marginally clever animation! Then you realise that every one of them actually works.

It’s been a looooong time since I’ve done anything resembling serous web design, so my initial reaction was an iframe-induced panic — what black magic is this, etc — but a quick View Source painted a neat, tidy picture of CSS and Javascript, working together to shatter our basic intuitions about How Things Move on the internet.

And while it may be a decade late, this is the first truly compelling use for Windows’ old Active Desktop feature I’ve ever seen. This one’s for you, inexplicably extant Windows ME users. [Scroll Clock — Thanks, Marco!]

Beautiful Boule Crystal Spiral Clock Is An Orb Of Extravagance

Danny Allen — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 14:27:40 +0000

231 intricate parts go into the design of this 1kg ball of crystal excess. The spiral is fashioned from white gold and 25 jewels. It can be yours from Hermés Paris for just $US560,000. Ahh, crap.

[Hermès via SlashGear]

I Wouldn’t Mind Being Woken Up By The Milky Way Alarm Clock

Sean Fallon — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 03:00:00 +0000

So pretty, it almost looks like you could wear it. Actually, I can really see the Milky Way clock working as a watch — especially since everyone hates alarm clocks. Alas, it is only a concept.

[Henrik Amberla via The Design Blog via Unplggd]

Vase Clock Is Designed To Break When The Right Moment Comes

Rosa Golijan — Fri, 06 Nov 2009 03:00:00 +0000

When Georgios Maridakis’ product breaks it’s actually an intentional feature. His Clock Vase indicates time with a little hammer that knocks against the porcelain. And at the right stroke, it shatters.

There aren’t any notes on how long it would take to wear out a vase on average, but the entire idea is to have different chime sounds due to switching the flower pots so it can’t be too long. I just hope Georgios never decides to make an alarm clock like this, because just imagining the porcelain shards near a bed makes my feet hurt. [The Design Blog]

Mr. Wake Robot Alarm Clock Is An Untouchable Morning Menace

Sean Fallon — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 15:40:00 +0000

What if Clocky the alarm clock didn’t just run away from you in the morning? What if he could sense your presence and evade capture with an IR sensor? That’s the annoying idea behind Mr. Wake.

Of course, looking at these videos it is plain to see that Mr. Wake is a moron. I’m pretty sure I could capture him even when my eyes are half open and I’m stumbling around the room. Still, it’s a good proof of concept. Perhaps you can use Vadim Ryazanov’s notes on the build to make Mr. Wake more elusive — although I have no earthly idea why you would want to torture yourself like this. [Let's Make Robots via Make]

Learn How To Tell Time And Waste Money With A Manual Digital Clock

Sean Fallon — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 01:00:00 +0000

According to the manufacturers of the Digits Clock, kids don’t need to learn how to tell time the old fashioned way. Instead, parents should spend over $US100 on a board that requires kids to manually construct the time every minute.

Do kids need to learn how to tell time on a digital clock? It’s been a long time, but I figured if kids can count they pretty much have it down. [Ponoko via Technabob via DVICE]

Too Cute: Yamaha TSX-W80 Wireless iPod Alarm Clock

Sean Fallon — Thu, 08 Oct 2009 22:20:00 +0000

Even though the Yamaha TSX-W80 wakes you up at all hours of the morning, you just can’t stay mad at that pretty face. It even features a wireless iPod cradle that streams tunes using Yamaha’s proprietary AirWired technology.

If Yamaha’s MCR-140 is anything to go by, this little digital clock should also produce some great sound. The device is expected to hit shelves in Japan around December — although pricing has not been announced. [Yamaha via Akihabara News via OhGizmo]

This Might Be The Most Ingenious Bedside Clock Ever

Adrian Covert — Fri, 02 Oct 2009 04:30:00 +0000

There are two things I don’t like when I wake up in the morning — having to look across the room at the alarm clock on my desk, and sitting up to make sense of it. This timepiece acknowledges both issues.

Designed by Greg Wolos, the Emily alarm clock is both wall-mountable and sideways oriented so that it is by your bed and easily readable when you’re in a prone position. It mixes retro looks with some modern styling, but will make your pockets $US130 lighter. It still might be worth it. [Generate Design via Oh Gizmo via Gadget Lab]

How To Make Your Own Word Clock

Jason Chen — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 23:00:00 +0000

The Qlocktwo word clock is impressive, but theoretical; as what normal person has $US1500 to pay for a clock? Now you can make your own.

The instructables version may not be as glossy, or as polished, or as big as the real version, but it works on the same principles. Head on over to test out your self-making skills. [Instructables via Make]