I'm generally pretty old-fashioned in my tastes, but one exception is my alarm clock -- the funkier and more modern the better! And this is a fun looking clock, with cubes representing each number that can be arranged however you want. Designed by Jonas Damon, the Numbers Clock is a clock stripped down to its simplest form of just the numbers and an alarm function. Just be careful not to get too creative and stack the numbers up in a way that you'll be confused how to read it in the middle of the night!

Available with white numbers or red, $80.

This little gadget, the Cavius is a new travel alarm with four functions for travelers. it can be used as a personal deterrent, it emits a high-pierced noise to startle attackers. It can be attached to a hotel room door or drawer to guard valuables and it also serves as an optical smoke detector for use in tents or boats. The Cavius even protects your luggage because is has a movement detector to prevent people messing with your stuff. The four-inch Cavius sells for $79.95.

[via The Moodie Report]

Waking up is hard to do, but it might be a little easier with Zyken's Nightcove alarm clock. It takes the powers of light, sound, and science and uses them to improve your sleep. All alarm clocks are designed to wake you up, but this one takes sleep-rhythms and naturally occurring light patterns to make it a more pleasant experience. The Nightcove has a darkening amber light at bedtime, followed by pulses of white and blue to wake you up the following morning. It also comes with an assortment of built-in sounds, or you can connect your mp3 player for customized audio. $2,500


Via Book of Joe

Looking for a new alarm clock to - literally - start off the year on a good note? The Ventriloque Alarm Clock has a charming, retro look, but still has a digital readout, lights and a snooze function. It allows you to record your own message as the wake-up sound, rather than relying on the standard set of buzzes and beeps that are so prevalent for alarms.The possibilities are endless, from a gentle reminder to a scream, depending on how much "motivation" you need to get out of bed. It is made in France, but includes instructions in English. Price: $95.

[via scifi tech]

During the holidays, shoppers tend to have a lot on their minds, including who to buy for and what to buy. I suspect that I am not alone when I say that, because I do a good deal of my holiday shopping online, I am security-minded when it comes to online transactions. In stores, though, people tend to be more casual about their credit cards and, with so much going on, it is easy to forget who you handed them to and if you got them back. The Credit Card Alarm is a little gadget that will help you keep track of your card no matter where you are. The sleeve holds the card and, when the card is removed, it beeps every 20 seconds until it is replaced. It's only $55, which is a small price to pay for piece of mind.

[via gizmodo]