LED clock eats bugs and converts them into energy

Posted in Clocks by Conner Flynn on June 29th, 2009

LED clock eats bugs and converts them into energyThis LED clock from British designers Jimmy Loizeau and James Auger is a morbid flycatcher and a timepiece in one. Think of it like a clock with spider sensibilities. It harvests insects on a sticky roller that’s covered in flypaper, then drops the corpses into a microbial fuel cell.

The dead bug is digested by the bacteria inside, and the chemical changes power the clock. Pretty neat and disgusting.

Word Clock tells time, with words

Posted in Clocks by Conner Flynn on June 14th, 2009

Word Clock tells time, with wordsMost clocks use numbers obviously. But if you want to be different, in a snooty, “I’m better than you and more literate”, kind of way, this is the clock for you. So wordy, it should have been built into the Kindle. It’s shaped like a baton with a clear acrylic tube, and spells out the time using fancy word-tech.

Nice design that offers more casual timekeeping. It was created by designers Hans Muller and Hans van Dongen. Since it’s 24-inches long, it can therefore be used as a weapon should someone break into your home. At which time you would stand over the bloodied attacker and say something cool like, “It’s half past me breaking your ass and a quarter to your balls.” This is a must have time-piece.

Wake up to a Shrieking Ball

Posted in Concepts by Conner Flynn on April 23rd, 2009

Wake up to a Shrieking BallAre you one of those people who can’t seem to wake up on time no matter what you do? You should probably get more sleep, but failing that you want an alarm clock like this concept. The Shrieking Ball concept alarm clock, if it ever sees production, should come with a lifetime guarantee that it will wake you pretty damn quick.

That’s because it will sound off until you lift the main orb from the base. As it shrieks, you’ll have to place it down just so in its cradle in order to stop the little hellspawn. I think this is a sure way to get somebody awake in the morning.

Fruit powered clock

Posted in Clocks by Conner Flynn on March 18th, 2009

Fruit powered clockWe’ve seen clock concepts that are powered by lemons, but this here fruit powered clock is something that you can actually buy. Apple may not offer any clock products, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have an actual apple clock and pretend it’s from Jobs and Co.

This fruit clock will cost you $18 a pop, and just in case you need to be told, they warn that “The fruit is not included”. Whether it needs fresh fruit or can also run on the rotten stuff, we have no idea. Why have a clock that sucks power when you can have one that sucks fruit juice?

Marantz CR502 all-in-one music system

Posted in music by Conner Flynn on February 25th, 2009

Marantz CR502 all-in-one music systemMarantz, known for its luxury hi-fi output, has announced the CR502, an all-in-one music system. The CR502 consists of two stereo amplifiers, each with 2 x 25W, adding up to 100W of music output and comes complete with a CD drive and DAB tuner.

You’ll also get a variety of inputs and outputs that includes a USB 2.0 port. It’s all packed into a compact aluminum chassis. The CR502 will also give you a clock radio and alarm with sleep functions. This all-in-one will cost you about GBP 499.

Weekend Clock counts down to the weekend

Posted in Clocks by Conner Flynn on February 17th, 2009

Weekend Clock counts down to the weekendIt’s the same for all of us. We’re just trying to pass the time and get all of our work finished so that we can enjoy those two magical days known as the weekend. The weekend is a magical land where the sun shines a little brighter, the birds sing a little softer, and dreams linger like clouds in your head allowing you to sleep in and catch up on rest.

Yes, the Weekend is awesome. And this clock keeps track of the weekend. For you see, there’s always another weekend just around the corner.

Early Bird alarm clock wakes you with birdsong, reminds you that Twitter is waiting

Posted in Clocks by Conner Flynn on February 15th, 2009

Early Bird alarm clock wakes you with birdsong, reminds you that Twitter is waitingThe Early Bird alarm clock from Fred & Friends will wake you up gently with the sounds of birdsong. The little bird icon even glows, like some sweet avian angel of addiction, subtly reminding you that Twitter awaits on the intertubez.

This bird themed alarm is easy to set and comes with automatic snooze. Which I suppose beats a shotgun sound effect to quiet those birds.

Timeless Garden lets you grow grass, tell time

Posted in Concepts by Conner Flynn on February 12th, 2009

Timeless Garden lets you grow grass, tell timeWhy you would want to grow grass indoors just to have a clock, is anybody’s guess. Especially since almost every device these days has a clock. Who knows, maybe you just really love weeds indoors. If so, the Timeless Garden may be for you.

It’s powered by the chemistry between mud and metal, so that toxic batteries aren’t required. They describe it as “an indoor plant with a self-sustaining digital clock”.

Googly-eyed clock tells time with googly-eyes

Posted in Clocks by Conner Flynn on February 12th, 2009

Googly-eyed clock tells time with googly-eyesThis clock tells time with it’s googly-eyes, so no matter what the hour, it’s always goofy. It’s from designer Mike Mak, who states that the “Eyeclock is a pleasuring clock which gives pleasure while telling you time.”

I don’t know about you, but being pleasured by googly eyes doesn’t seem all that pleasurable. If the photos are any indication, the right eye circles around as the minutes tick by, while the right eye swirls slower for the hours. Sure, it’s cute, but would you want to look at it all day?

Alarm clock forces you to play a game of Simon in the morning

Posted in Clocks by Conner Flynn on February 6th, 2009

Alarm clock forces you to play a game of Simon in the morningWant to wake up in the morning only to have your brain trained with a retro memory game? Here’s the ticket. This alarm clock will not shut up until you play a version of the vintage game and get it right.

If you correctly remember the sequence of lights and press the buttons on the clock in the correct order, you can earn some peace and quiet, then either get out of bed or go back to sleep. On the other hand, you can always smash it to bits. I don’t see any info on price or availability.

Start your day right, with a smashed clock

Posted in Clocks by Conner Flynn on February 1st, 2009

Start your day right, with a smashed clockOut of all of the gadgets that we own, alarm clocks are our least favorite. They are probably the most hated gadget period. Anything that wakes you from your peaceful slumber on a daily basis deserves to be smashed, if not thrown out the window to be run over by a dump truck.

That’s the idea behind the Smash Clock. To turn off the Smash Clock’s alarm, there’s no fumbling required to find the right button. Just punch it. The top is nice and soft. By punching it aggressively, you wake up more fully, not to mention the fact that you’ve gotten some aggression out of your system first thing.

Trek up your desk with this 3 in 1 speaker

Posted in Speakers by Conner Flynn on February 1st, 2009

Trek up your desk with this 3 in 1 speakerBack in October we told you about this cool looking retro speaker that sports Star Trek looks and gives you 3 gadgets in one. Speaker, 4 USB ports, and a clock. We had a chance to check one out in person recently. The good news is that it looks just as awesomely Trek in person. The design is really cool and you can easily see this on the set of the original Star Trek.

As soon as you power it up, the one thing that hits you is how bright the LED lights are. Blindingly bright. Almost annoyingly so. It will bother some people, while others won’t mind, since having a good looking hub on your desk is the trade-off. The lights do make it look more Sci-Fi if you have that kind of decor. The clock is pretty cool. No problems there. And as a hub it does it’s job.

Apple Clock made from Mac G4 side panel

Posted in Apple by Conner Flynn on January 8th, 2009

Apple Clock made from Mac G4 side panelIf you love the Earth, you probably recycle. Paper, bottles, cans, your Mac G4… Etsy seller “Pixelthis” created this neat looking clock from an old Mac G4 side panel. It’s simple, minimal, even modern looking.

The Mac G4 clock features a quartz drive movement and runs on a AA battery. The seller also makes clocks from the Apple G4 computer front cover, Old Hitachi Turntables, HDDs, Computer CD drives and more. If you’re a Mac fanboy and can’t live without it, the G4 clock will cost you $59.00.

iLuv’s iMM183 dual dock iPod alarm clock also does the weather

Posted in iLuv by Conner Flynn on January 5th, 2009

iLuv’s iMM183 dual dock iPod alarm clock also does the weatheriLuv is on a roll. Seems like every time you turn around, they have a new alarm clock of some kind, but they’ve been saving the best for CES. Today they announced the iMM183 Hi-Fi Dual Dock Alarm Clock with Weather Band Radio.

It will charge twin iPods and iPhone 3Gs while giving you NOAA emergency alerts, letting you know if Tornadoes or other natural disasters are on the way, so you can run to safety. After grabbing your charged iPhone of course. It also sports an auxiliary input for non-Apple devices.

Time Tuner Alarm Clock looks like analog

Posted in Clocks by Conner Flynn on January 1st, 2009

Time Tuner Alarm Clock looks like analogHere’s a great design that can’t make up it’s mind as to whether it’s from the future or the past. We like it. The Time Tuner was created by Istanbul-based Antrepo Design Industry, who decided against the traditional digital clock face. It instead boasts an analog style that resembles a radio tuner.

It’s a lot like our favorite watches from Tokyoflash. The numbers along the length of the dial light-up to show you the hour. At the same time, an illuminated vertical red line moves across the dial for minutes. If you’re looking for a clock with style, look no further.





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