alarm

The iPhone alarm is one of the most used in the world -- waking up millions of people every day, probably with the same blaring horn. However, it is not very customizable and lacks a lot of the tools and charm you'd expect from an Apple product. It's all function and very little design. That's why an app like Alarm Clock: The Alarm App is so enticing. It allows you to customize a number of settings, add an alarm to your phone that goes beyond the basics, and even lets you change from a blaring horn to … Read more

An alarm is the one feature sorely missing from Windows' built-in clock. Llama Alarm Clock adds a neat alarm clock to your computer that works well, but suffers from being way too simple.

For being a beefy 6MB download, this widget is certainly lacking in the features department. There's no installation needed, as the widget performs its function once clicked. It comes with only two alarm noises, though you can add your own to the mix. Llama Alarm Clock leeches off of the Windows clock, but you can't change time zones or create multiple clocks. The only thing … Read more

Some Mac users want to use their computer as a substitute for an alarm. Alarm Clock Pro for Mac incorporates a number of features and options expected from an alarm app, but normal users may find other options preferable.

Available as a free trial version with a 15-day usage limit, the full version of Alarm Clock Pro for Mac requires a $19.95 payment to unlock complete functioning. The program's native installer functions well and provides the user with basic introductions if it is their first time using it. Activation requires acceptance of a user agreement and a prompt … Read more

The built-in alarm clock on the iPhone is a companion to millions of people who have long since ditched their plug-in alarm clocks. Simple, easy to use, and very effective at making large volumes of noise, the iPhone is a natural alarm device. But it is limited in its functionality. For those interested in a more classic look or an alternative to loud, grating noises, The Talking Alarm is a breath of fresh air. With a classic, green LED display design and a number of voices to choose from, it is an effective, fun-to-use alarm that offers a great alternative … Read more

In case you're unfamiliar with the significance of the color of smoke rising from the world's current most-watched chimney, here's how Ireland's Father Paddy Byrne broke it down in a Tweet awhile ago:

Not going to directly accuse Father Byrne of anything except wacky tweeting here, but it should be noted for noobs to the conclave of Catholic cardinals currently trying to select the pope's successor that only the first two parts are true. I hope. After each round of balloting that doesn't produce a two-thirds majority, a puff of black smoke goes up and out of the Sistine Chapel. Once a new pope is selected, the smoke turns white.

So, that means the true pope-arazzi should have already staked out a prime smoke-viewing spot outside the chapel. But for the rest of us who aren't trained to the live Vatican smoke cam but are maybe just a little obsessed with anything that involves balloting, be it popes or pop stars, fortunately there's Pope Alarm (tagline: "When the smoke goes up, you'll know what's going down"). … Read more

Some folks are naturally neat-freak morning people. They wake up on time, feeling perky, bounce into the bathroom, and scrub their teeth first thing in the morning. Others need a little extra encouragement. That's where the Wayki alarm clock/toothbrush hopes to come in.

David Hawkins was having trouble dragging himself out of bed in the mornings. He decided he needed a two-part push. Half of the Wayki sits next to the bed, behaving like a regular alarm clock. When it goes off, the only way to silence it is to get up, take it into the bathroom, plug in the toothbrush portion, and trigger a 2-minute brushing timer. Before you know what hit you, you're up and scrubbing your teeth.… Read more

Most people still choose to handle home security the old-fashioned way. They have a big slobbery dog or they pay a security company to monitor their home. For people who are allergic to pups and don't want to deal with security contracts, startup iSmart Alarm is hoping to turn the iPhone into the focal point for home security.

The system is made up of several parts that can be mixed and matched as needed. There are cameras, motion sensors, contact sensors for windows and doors, and a remote tag for tracking kids or pets (or both). The brains of the system is a square device called the CubeOne that plugs into an outlet and connects up to your router.… Read more

LAS VEGAS -- Designed for the control freak, Alarm.com's all-in-one connected home system offers remote access to nearly every item in your home, meaning you can watch Fido from afar or do something far more practical like turn off the lights.

Launched in 2010, the integrated Alarm.com system and software platform supports home security control, energy management, and video surveillance.

Switch the lights off, adjust the thermostat, close the blinds, watch a live video feed, open the garage door, disarm the alarm, or unlock the front door with a touch button. With the Alarm.com system, home … Read more

The publishers describe SNV Timer as a reminder program, but it actually includes three separate applications designed to manage shutdown operations, user-set alerts, and more. While many will see this diversity as a benefit, others will find that the lack of integration between programs and the redundancy of some functions negatively affect SNV Timer's usefulness.

When you install SNV Timer, you'll actually get SNV Timer, SNV Notepad, and SNV Calendar, each with its own desktop icon. SNV Timer does just what its name implies: it allows you to choose a specific time or number of hours for whatever … Read more