clock

Time-telling screensaver

Liquid Clock is a simple screensaver that offers to keep track of the time while your computer takes a break. Its simple design makes it a great choice for those looking to keep things easy.

Liquid Clock dominates the screen once it is activated. With a bold, blue background, it is impossible to miss. The clock itself is a black outline of a traditional clockface, with hands for hours, minutes, and seconds. The design company's logo is at the center of the clock and the current date is embedded in the clock's face. Control over the clock is … Read more

Overly-complicated stopwatch

Virtual Stopwatch attempts to be the most diverse time-keeping device you computer has ever seen. With an amazing array of options, it certainly reaches for that goal, but most users will probably find it overly-complicated.

The program appears to users as a small rectangular box with red digital numbers representing hours, minutes, seconds, and hundredths of seconds on a black background. Below the stopwatch are buttons for starting and resetting, along with a lap counter. Each button should be intuitive for anyone who has used a stopwatch, virtual or physical. Virtual Stopwatch's simplistic design takes a nosedive once users … Read more

Zeo 'sleep coach' tracks your ZZZs, wakes you up

It seems like the market for alarm clocks and smart wake-you-up gadgets is getting more competitive than cell phones, MP3 players, and autos. But here's a new entry worth noting for those who already tried starting the day with the obnoxious Clocky, the Shocking Alarm Clock, the Philips Wake-Up Light, or even the Wake n' Bacon.

It's called Zeo, and it's a "personal sleep coach" that can give you data on the quantity, quality, and depth of your slumber. The product is being released now by Newton, Mass.-based Zeo, formerly known as Axon Labs, … Read more

Sleek global clock

World Time Clock & Map is an intuitive and attractive way for users to stay abreast of the time in locations around the world. The sleek interface makes the program simple and enjoyable to use.

The interface is divided into three tabs. In the first tab, users see a world map with pinpoints for selected global cities. Mousing over the cities lets users view the local time, and users can also click on each time zone to see a list of cities in that zone. An optional night shadow helpfully depicts the current swath of globe that is covered by … Read more

Reliable alarm clock

Your computer will tell you the time, no problem. However, there are few things as boring and basic as the standard clock. AIV Reminder offers users a chance to spice up their clock situation and keep on top of important appointments.

This free program presents itself as a simple analog clock. In addition, a small, blue genie gives you advice on how to make configurations. If you're not fond of genies, there are three other characters to choose from. Double-clicking the clock face takes you to a menu screen where the ins and outs of the program are laid … Read more

Basic calendar

Desktop Calendar Reminder promises to help you keep track of the days and important events. However, this basic calendar doesn't really live up to its promise or, for that matter, its name.

This program isn't much to look at. It presents itself as a simple light-blue calendar that pops up on the middle of your desktop in a small rectangle. There is space for writing a note about the day at the bottom. There are also tabs for the day's notes and for a general area to write non-date-specific notes. We were a little confused, since part … Read more

Telling time in tongues

Multilingual Speaking Clock offers users an opportunity to hear the time in practically any language. This simple-to-operate program will not disappoint users looking for a basic timepiece in their native tongue.

This freeware download could not be more straightforward. It is seen as a simple digital clock with black numbers on a gray background that winds up every second of the day. Users find five buttons at the bottom of the clock for Alarm, Settings, Options, Help, and Spoken Time. The clock comes with four options of voices: American English spoken by a male, American English spoken by a female, … Read more

Gadgettes 138: The Type A Episode

If it's not a right angle, it's a wrong angle. That's exactly the ethos that has inspired the type of precise, structured and rigidly useful gadgetry that we highlight in today's episode.

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EPISODE 138

The perfect father’s day gift for the Type A griller

Size your burgers your way

Cocoon’s laptop bag is perfect for type A personalities

Sensor-laden kokoro adjusts playlist to match the rhythm of your heart

GameDr destroys recreation of youth

Sony’s 400-disc BDP-CX7000ES Blu-ray Mega Changer reportedly coming soon… Read more

Gadgettes 137: The Fish on a Bicycle Episode

Convergence: The occurrence of two or more things coming together. In this case, cars and couches, shoes and bathtubs, and last but not least, showers and aquariums. Try to wrap your brain around that!

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EPISODE 137… Read more

Cool clock: Floating dots tell the time

It may not be immediately apparent, but the picture you are seeing is that of a clock. The red ball in the cup is the hour hand, while the white one shows minutes. This works because the ceramic base contains two rotating magnets that control the motion of the two floating dots. The cup and plate aren't included in the kit, but that adds to the appeal of this gadget--how the "clock face" looks is entirely dependent on the receptacles you choose to use.

This Water Clock by designer Kouichi Okamoto doesn't come cheap at $299, … Read more