Filed under: Analysis / Opinion, Software, Odds and ends, Universal Binary
Dream recorder
If I were giving out awards for creepiest Mac application Dream recorder would be the front-runner. This app, as the name implies, aims to help you record your dreams and get a sense for how well you are sleeping. As you can see in the illustration to the right, the proper usage of Dream recorder involves:- Placing your Mac on a night table next to your bed (the Mac must have a camera attached to it).
- Take a picture with Dream recorder in the dark, so it can adjust its settings.
- Go to sleep. Dream recorder will take a picture of you every 2 minutes by slowly brightening the screen.
- Dream recorder will determine the best time to wake you, based on a range you enter and what sleep cycle you are in.
- When you wake up, hit the space bar to stop the picture taking and to start the audio recording (this is where you tell the Mac about your dreams).
There is a 15 day trial, after which a 3 license pack costs $45. Dream recorder requires OS X 10.4.8 and Quicktime 7.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Greg said 10:53AM on 12-29-2006
I'm thinking step 3 should have "dream recorder" and not "dream catcher"
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Jacqui Cheng said 11:15AM on 12-29-2006
Awesome.
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Josh said 11:03AM on 12-29-2006
I did a similar thing with two cameras and an intervalometer. The problem was that on the two nights I tried it, I got no sleep because my mind was so focused on the fact that I was being recorded. On the third night, I tore everything down because I needed real sleep. This is called the Hawthorne effect (which is constantly debated about whether it is true or not), whereby filming or observing someone who knows they are being filmed or observed, changes their behavior. It certainly changed mine.
I did my experiment to see how I sleep, because it is not uncommon for me to wake up with pillows and blankets everywhere but on the bed, me turned around 180 degrees, etc. I once gave a girl a black eye from tossing and hitting her with a flailing arm. We're not together anymore.
This software would make me interested in trying it again, but not at $45. I also never remember dreams, and really wouldn't want a video of myself immediately after I wake up.
How long until some of these videos wind up on YouTube?
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SubGenius said 12:11PM on 12-29-2006
This is probably one of the most creative Applications I have ever heard of.
Where was this guy when that "My Dream App" crap was going on?
I'm sure a lot of people would love to try this app but $45 is too much for a "novelty" app.
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Fritz Laurel said 4:48PM on 12-29-2006
Love, love, love the concept, but I refuse to use this app because of the author's registration process requiring your MAC hardware address. Why does he need my hardware address?? This is shareware. And I agree that $45 seems way too pricey.
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Leo F said 5:26PM on 12-29-2006
When the trial expires it wakes you up randomly with loud music and flashing screens :-)
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Eric said 6:16PM on 12-29-2006
When it says it will wake you up when it thinks it is the best time, I hope it doesn't wake me and everybody up at 3 in the morning... nice idea, but I rather have my good night's sleep.
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Seth said 10:15PM on 12-29-2006
Is it just me or does it look like there is a shadow of someone standing in the room watching him sleep? Maybe its just me but it kinda looks like someone is watching the guy sleep. Creepy.
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Rich said 1:49AM on 12-30-2006
What a load of crap. If you think being wooken at regular intervals or at odd times like 3am is a good idea, especially when you are deeply asleep and dreaming, go ask anyone who has kids their opinion.
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Kernel Dan said 6:39PM on 1-03-2007
Can you guys read?
It wakes you up at the best time based on a range you specify.
Moreover, how does it know that now would be a better time than 3 minutes from now
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