We are just days away from MacWorld. As a recent Apple convert I am filled with excitement and anticipation. But not just for MacWorld. For me, just as the significance of the Superbowl is that it brings us one step closer to the NCAA Basketball Tournament, this year’s MacWorld, while neat in and of itself, […]
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Underappreciated: iPhone Alarm Clock

Jan 8th 2008 by

We are just days away from MacWorld. As a recent Apple convert I am filled with excitement and anticipation. But not just for MacWorld. For me, just as the significance of the Superbowl is that it brings us one step closer to the NCAA Basketball Tournament, this year’s MacWorld, while neat in and of itself, means we are one step closer to Apple-certified 3rd paalarms1rty apps on the iPhone. It is going to be an exciting and busy few weeks. 

Before the 3rd-party Apps floodgates open I want to focus on one or two of the more significant but overlooked apps that have been part of the iPhone since day one. The first is a feature that is as under appreciated as it is remarkable. Yes, I am referring to that most maligned of functionalities the iPhone alarm clock. 

Alarm clock functionality is nothing new on smartphones.  In the days of Windows Mobile it was never quite reliable enough for me to depend upon it as my only wake up. It would often work but, sometimes it wouldn’t. And while I tried numerous 3rd party apps, none of them were easy enough, or reliable enough, for me to use on a daily basis. Yes, I would set my phone to wake me but I always set another alarm for five minutes later just to be on the safe side.

Enter the iPhone. Its alarm clock is simply great. Setting a new alarm is a piece of cake. Setting multiple alarms is just as easy. Giving each alarm a different name, giving each alarm a different ring tone (standard or custom) and setting some alarms to repeat on a specific day are all simple and intuitive. And, most importantly, like so many aspects of the iPhone, it just works.

I have been using my iPhone as my only alarm clock since I first got it and it has never failed me. When the day ends I do a final check of my email, place it in the cradle next to me bed, and, without fail, at the appropriate hour it tells me it is time to get moving. 

It is a simple functionality, but one that is as valuable as it is under-appreciated. If you do not already use it I would encourage you to give it a try.

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