Filed under: Multimedia, Reviews, iPhone, App Review
Playlist Alarm Clock, drift off and wake up to custom soundtracks
Be sure to check the end of this post for details on your chance to win a free copy of Playlist Alarm Clock!
We covered Chilli X last year, with their release of the successful iPhone to-do application, "Done" (iTunes link), and again with myCal, their app for creating custom calendar wallpapers for your iPhone lock screen (be sure to check out the free, user-generated wallpapers they're making available). They've been pretty quiet for a while, updating and tweaking Done (now at version 1.7), handling an App Store rejection of their own, and working on a newly-released app: Playlist Alarm Clock.
Playlist Alarm Clock is not necessarily a new or novel idea, but it's well-implemented. It's an iPhone app which allows you to create playlists, one for falling asleep and one for waking up. You can configure the length of time the sleep playlist will play, and how long it will take to fade out, as well as a fade-in time for the wake-up playlist. Setting times and fades comes down to a couple of taps, and adding songs to the playlists is done with a familiar iPod interface with full access to your library and playlists. If you're generally drowsy in the morning, you're covered as well: the snooze time can be configured to five, ten, fifteen or thirty minutes and is just a groggy tap away.
As is often the case, there are a few things I'd love to see enhanced. First, a night mode, ala the excellent Night Stand (iTunes link), which would let Playlist Alarm Clock function more appropriately as an always-on clock. Currently, the time display is large and easy to see, but the brightness of the interface is not ideal for bedside use. Second -- and this is really my only other complaint -- removing songs from the playlist doesn't seem to be an intuitive process. Accidentally tapping the wrong song during playlist creation seems to be a pretty permanent blunder, requiring a do-over of the playlist creation sequence. Beyond that, this app does exactly what the wrapper says, and I'm looking forward to falling asleep tonight to some favorites of mine, and hopefully not jarring my wife into a bad mood when my personal idea of "wakeup" music fades in.
Playlist Alarm Clock is $1.99US in the App Store. However, Chilli X is offering TUAW readers a chance at one of 10 free copies. All you have to do is submit (in the comments) your ideal playlists, one for falling asleep, and one for waking up. Be creative, be funny, be brilliant ... Chilli X will choose their favorites winners will be randomly selected next Thursday and promo codes will be sent to the winners.
Here are the rules and a link to the legal statement:
- Open to legal US residents of the 50 United States and the District of Columbia who are 18 and older.
- To enter leave a comment listing your choices for sleep and wake playlists.
- The comment must be left before Wednesday, July 22, 11:59PM Eastern Daylight Time.
- You may enter only once.
- Ten winners will be selected in a random drawing.
- Prize: Promo code for one copy of Playlist Alarm Clock (US$1.99 value)
- Click Here for complete Official Rules.
Good luck!
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
iGO said 10:20PM on 7-17-2009
For relaxing/sleeping, most anything by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
For Waking/Driving Fast/Motivation/Working out, Most Anything by System Of A Down
Do I win?
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Andrew Rivlin said 10:27PM on 7-17-2009
I would love a chance to use this app.
I would load the Enemy of the State soundtrack, so I would get an adrenilin boost and think i had to run when I got up.
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stephen said 10:21PM on 7-17-2009
wow, this could keep me awake on boring days at work too!
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Ponraj B. Perumal said 10:23PM on 7-17-2009
I miss this option very much in my iPod Touch from my previous iPod Video...
This software is a real comeback of Apple's option.
BTW, my sleep playlist will be some mild classical and my wake-up playlist will be Morning Mystic - Sounds of nature - rejuvenate the day.
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jack bauer said 10:27PM on 7-17-2009
i would say, Miles Davis or Peter Gabriel "So" Album. Red Rain, In Your Eyes, very mystical and soothing. Wake, easy. Beatles " Good Morning, Good Morning" starting off the playlist of Beatles greatest hits. How can any day start off bad when you start it with the Beatles?
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Timmus said 10:35PM on 7-17-2009
I like this.
I would listen to something by MOZART haha
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Bill Waggoner said 10:44PM on 7-17-2009
To sleep, Clapton blues. To wake Scott Joplin slowly fading up. With a ten minute snooze ... I hate mornings!
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Joe said 10:54PM on 7-17-2009
Anyone know what time it is? How about the sweet sound of music.
Sleep-ELO: Discovery
Wake-Andreas Vollenweider: Eolian Minstrel
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modok said 10:59PM on 7-17-2009
nice! i'd wake to "lust for life" - iggy pop! however i'd prolly just pass out to the last song on the playlist...
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PSTMD said 11:00PM on 7-17-2009
Sleep
Andare 7:02 Ludovico Einaudi Andare - Discovery Download Classical
Saving Josh 7:19 Trevor Morris Moonlight Classical
Bible Study 2:35 Marco Beltrami 3:10 to Yuma (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack) Classical
Now We Are Free 4:14 Hans Zimmer & Lisa Gerrard Gladiator Classical
Schindler's List - Theme 3:35 John Williams Greatest Hits 1969-1999 Classical
Gabriel's Oboe from the Mission (Excerpt) 2:25 Yo-Yo Ma Appassionato Classical
Simple Gifts 2:37 Yo-Yo Ma Classic Yo-Yo Classical
Dawn 2:40 Jean-Yves Thibaudet Pride & Prejudice Classical
Stars & Butterflies 2:02 Jean-Yves Thibaudet Pride & Prejudice Classical
Gabriel's Oboe 2:15 Amy Grant Christmas To Remember Holiday
Combe Magna 3:00 Patrick Doyle Sense And Sensibility - Original Soundtrack Classical
Concerto 4 in F minor Winter 1 Allegro non molto 3:30 La Petite Bande 4 Seasons Classical
Claire de Lune 5:01 Dame Moura Lympany Kids Classics: Lullabies Classical
Three Gymnopédies (I) 3:33 Anne Queffélec Kids Classics: Lullabies Classical
The Girl with the Flaxen Hair 2:50 Aldo Ciccolini Kids Classics: Lullabies Classical
Canon a 3 on a Ground 4:59 Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields Kids Classics: Lullabies Classical
Pavane 6:17 Academy Of St. Martin In The Fields Kids Classics: Lullabies Classical
A Narnia Lullaby 1:13 Harry Gregson-Williams The Chronicles of Narnia Classical
The Kite 1:38 Jan A.P. Kaczmarek Finding Neverland Classical
Lullaby 2:49 Jack Johnson Curious George: Sing-A-Longs & Lullabies For The Film Alternative
Are You Lonesome Tonight 4:01 Chris Botti Feat. Paul Buchanan To Love Again Jazz
Lullbye (Goodnight, My Angel) 3:33 Billy Joel Essential Billy Joel Pop
Wonderful Tonight 4:13 Michael Bublé Feat. Ivan Lins Call Me Irresponsible Pop
Midnight Sun 4:54 Ella Fitzgerald Ella Fitzgerald Sings The Johnny Mercer Song Book Vocal
Last Night When We Were Young 3:17 Frank Sinatra In The Wee Small Hours Vocal
Strangers In The Night 2:36 Frank Sinatra The Very Best Of Frank Sinatra [Disc 2] Vocal
All The Pretty Little Ponies 4:00 Kenny Loggins Return To Pooh Corner Children’s Music
Last Unicorn 3:28 Kenny Loggins Return To Pooh Corner Children’s Music
Neverland Medley 7:10 Kenny Loggins Return To Pooh Corner Children’s Music
Goodnight 3:36 Kenny Loggins More Songs From Pooh Corner Children’s Music
You`ll Be In My Heart 5:19 Kenny Loggins More Songs From Pooh Corner Children’s Music
Rainbow Connection 3:48 Kenny Loggins Return To Pooh Corner Children’s Music
May It Be 3:39 Hayley Westenra Odyssey (US Version) Vocal
Danny Boy 3:42 Hayley Westenra Celtic Treasure Vocal
Shenandoah 3:22 Hayley Westenra Celtic Treasure Vocal
Dona Nobis Pacem (Give Us Peace) 2:01 Yo-Yo Ma Songs Of Joy & Peace Classical
Simple Gifts 2:37 Yo-Yo Ma Classic Yo-Yo Classical
Slumber My Darling 4:53 Yo-Yo Ma Appalachian Journey Classical
Awake
Bubble Toes 3:57 Jack Johnson Brushfire Fairytales Alternative
Upside Down 3:29 Jack Johnson Curious George: Sing-A-Longs & Lullabies For The Film Alternative
Somewhere Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World 5:08 Israel Kamakawiwo'ole Facing Future Pop
Good Morning Baltimore 3:54 Nikki Blonsky Hairspray: Soundtrack To The Motion Picture Soundtrack
Better Together 3:30 Jack Johnson In Between Dreams Alternative
If I Could 2:25 Jack Johnson In Between Dreams Alternative
Belle 1:43 Jack Johnson In Between Dreams Alternative
Down the Line 3:11 José González In Our Nature Alternative
Jealous Enemies 4:07 Dark Captain Light Captain Jealous Enemies - Single of the Week Rock
The Girl From Ipanema 3:13 Frank Sinatra Nothing But the Best (The Frank Sinatra Collection) Vocal
Paradise 2:47 Ana Serrano van der Laan Paradise - Single of the Week Latin
P.S. I Love You 2:06 Beatles Please Please Me Rock
The Ascent of Stan 4:14 Ben Folds Rockin' The Suburbs Alternative
Michelle 2:42 Beatles Rubber Soul Rock
Good Morning Good Morning 2:41 Beatles Sgt. Pepper´s Lonely Hearts Club Band Rock
The Show 3:56 Lenka The Show - Single Pop
Here Comes The Sun 2:50 Yo-Yo Ma, James Taylor Songs Of Joy & Peace Classical
Bittersweet Symphony 5:58 The Verve Urban Hymns Rock
Heartbeats 2:38 José González Veneer Alternative
Crosses 2:40 José González Veneer Alternative
New Soul 3:43 Yael Naïm Yael Naïm Pop
Starting Now 4:53 Ingrid Michaelson Girls and Boys Pop
My Dear Acquaintance 2:52 Regina Spektor My Dear Acquaintance (A Happy New Year) - Single Alternative
Heartbeats 2:38 José González Veneer Alternative
The Show 3:56 Lenka The Show - Single Pop
Breathe Me 4:35 Sia Colour the Small One Alternative
Better 3:02 Regina Spektor Begin to Hope (Bonus Track Version) Alternative
You Picked Me 4:23 A Fine Frenzy You Picked Me - Single of the Week Pop
A Dance 'Round the Memory Tree 3:39 Oren Lavie The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian Soundtrack
Life In Technicolor 2:29 Coldplay Viva la Vida Alternative
Let Go 4:13 Frou Frou Details Alternative
1234 3:04 Feist 1234 - Single Pop
The Way I Am 2:15 Ingrid Michaelson Girls and Boys Pop
Her Morning Elegance 3:36 Oren Lavie The Opposite Side of the Sea Rock
Time On Your Side 2:22 Emily Jane White Dark Undercoat Alternative
Somewhere Over The Rainbow/What A Wonderful World 5:08 Israel Kamakawiwo'ole Facing Future Pop
Lullaby 2:49 Jack Johnson Curious George: Sing-A-Longs & Lullabies For The Film Alternative
Crosses 2:40 José González Veneer Alternative
Blackbird 3:05 Kenny Rankin Silver Morning..."Limited Edition" With Bonus Track Pop
The Call 3:08 Regina Spektor The Chronicles of Narnia: Prince Caspian Soundtrack
Bittersweet Symphony 5:58 The Verve Urban Hymns Rock
A Foggy Day 2:17 Frank Sinatra The Very Best Of Frank Sinatra [Disc 1] Vocal
Rainy Day 3:26 Coldplay Prospekt's March (Bonus Video Version) Alternative
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matt said 11:02PM on 7-17-2009
(Shameless plug)
iTunes Timer Dashboard widget is similar to Playlist Alarm Clock but for the Mac and best of all its free!
http://www.apple.com/downloads/dashboard/music/itunestimer.html
Donations welcome!
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kompakter said 11:17PM on 7-17-2009
Anything by Air works for sleep and wake. I'm not a fan of being startled awake...
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Justin said 11:19PM on 7-17-2009
Sleep: Sinatra
Wake: Wizard Rock (music about Harry Potter)
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Scott said 11:34PM on 7-17-2009
Sleep: the second half of King Black Acid's "Loves A Long Song"
Wake: the first half of King Black Acid's "Loves A Long Song"
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Aerospeed said 11:34PM on 7-17-2009
Sleep: My school's lecture podcast. (Out like a light.)
Wake: Jonas Brothers (turnitoffturnitoffTURNITOFF!)
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Drew said 12:52AM on 7-18-2009
To fall asleep something ambient, maybe older Moby. To wake up - SLAYER!
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JD S said 11:50PM on 7-17-2009
Go to sleep - easy listening piano (Brickman & such)
Wake up - soundtracks! Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves for sure
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Travis Tubbs said 11:58PM on 7-17-2009
I already fall asleep to a playlist but have been wanting to wake up to a different playlist. This is perfect! Here's what I fall asleep to now and what I would like to wake up to.
Good Night playlist:
"Lost Cause", Beck
"Alice Childress", Ben Folds Five
"Brick", Ben Folds Five
"Still Fighting It", Ben Folds
"Don't Change Your Plans", Ben Folds Five
"Mess", Ben Folds Five
"At the Stars", Better Than Ezra
"Good To Know That If I Ever Need Attention All I Have To Do Is Die", Brand New
"Everything's Not Lost", Coldplay
"Fix You", Coldplay
"Overkill", Colin Hay
"The World I Know", Collective Soul
"Run", Collective Soul
"I Will Follow You Into the Dark", Death Cab for Cutie
"Transatlanticism", Death Cab for Cutie
"Tell Her This", Del Amitri
"Easy Tonight", Five for Fighting
"All Kinds of Time", Fountains of Wayne
"How to Save a Life", The Fray
"She Says", Howie Day
"Cautioners", Jimmy Eat World
"My Sundown", Jimmy Eat World
"Hear You Me", Jimmy Eat World
"Your House", Jimmy Eat World
"Kill", Jimmy Eat World
"Night Drive", Jimmy Eat World
"23", Jimmy Eat World
"A Bad Dream", Keane
"Hold Me Down", Motion City Soundtrack
"4 A.M.", Our Lady Peace
"Sell My Soul", Our Lady Peace
"Bring Back the Sun", Our Lady Peace
"Thief", Our Lady Peace
"The Wonderful Future", Our Lady Peace
"Yellow Ledbetter [#]", Pearl Jam
"Wishlist", Pearl Jam
"The District Sleeps Alone Tonight", The Postal Service
"New Orleans Instrumental No. 1", R.E.M.
"Nightswimming", R.E.M.
"Endgame", R.E.M.
"Half a World Away", R.E.M.
"High and Dry", Radiohead
"Fair", Remy Zero
"Let Me In", Save Ferris
"Nightingale", Saves the Day
"New Slang", The Shins
"The Only Living Boy In New York", Simon & Garfunkel
"Chasing Cars", Snow Patrol
"Cavanaugh Park", Something Corporate
"Miss America", Something Corporate
"Konstantine", Something Corporate
"The Perfect Ending", Straylight Run
"Existentialism On Prom Night", Straylight Run
"Pieces", Sum 41
"With Me", Sum 41
"New American Classic", Taking Back Sunday
"Maps", Yeah Yeah Yeahs
Wake Up! playlist:
"Radio Player", Allister
"Pickin' It Up", Hot Hot Heat
"One Angry Dwarf and 200 Solemn Faces", Ben Folds Five
"Einstein on the Beach (For an Eggman)", Counting Crows
"Scratch", Allister
"Time Bomb", Rancid
"Take On Me", Reel Big Fish
"Within a Mile of Home", Flogging Molly
"Zak and Sara", Ben Folds
"Party Hard", Andrew W.K.
"We Want Fun", Andrew W.K.
"Teenagers", My Chemical Romance
"Seventy Times 7", Brand New
"The Difference", The Wallflowers
"Dead", My Chemical Romance
"Running Out of Time", Hot Hot Heat
"Schmack!", Steriogram
"Understatement", New Found Glory
"Failure's Not Flattering", New Found Glory
"I Believe I Can Fly", Me First and the Gimme Gimmes
"Congratulations Smack + Katy", Reggie & the Full Effect
"Pumping on Your Stereo", Supergrass
"Guilty Pleasure", Cobra Starship
"Song for the Dumped", Ben Folds Five
"Look at Your Son Now", The F-Ups
"One Fine Day", The Offspring
"I Get By", Honest Bob and the Factory-To-Dealer Incentives
"Day Late, Dollar Short", The Acrobrats
"All the Small Things", blink-182
"Move to the Music", American Bang
"Any Way You Want It", Journey
"In the Morning", Razorlight
"The World Is New", Save Ferris
"American Idiot", Green Day
"Tick Tick Boom", The Hives
"Walk Away", Dropkick Murphys
"Drunken Lullabies", Flogging Molly
"Caught In The Rain", October Fall
"The Tension And The Terror", Straylight Run
"It's All Been Done", Barenaked Ladies
"Jude Law And A Semester Abroad", Brand New
"Roots Radicals", Rancid
"Church on Sunday", Green Day
"Charmless Man", Blur
"The Impression That I Get", The Mighty Mighty Bosstones
"On My Way", Off By One
"Fell in Love With a Girl", The White Stripes
"Makes No Difference", Sum 41
"Babies of the 80's", Something Corporate
"Army", Ben Folds Five
"I Fought the Law", The Clash
"The Tension and the Terror", Straylight Run
"Ruby Soho", Rancid
"Better Open The Door", Motion City Soundtrack
"21 and Invincible", Something Corporate
"Song Two", Blur
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Daveecee said 4:23PM on 7-23-2009
For sleeping: Sigur Rós (sooo relaxing), Air, Death Cab for Cutie, Feist, Frou Frou/Imogen Heap, Jacques Loussier, Iron & Wine, Sufjan Stevens, Radiohead.
For waking: Ben Folds (his more upbeat songs, not Cigarette or Fred Jones), CAKE, "Jupiter" (as in from Gustav Holst's 'The Planets'), The New Pornographers, The Seatbelts (Cowboy Bebop music!), Tegan and Sara.
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jwfnla said 12:10AM on 7-18-2009
SLEEP:
Cirque Du Soleil - Jeux D'Eau
Sarah McLachlan - In The Arms Of The Angel
Kate Bush - Mrs. Bartolozzi (Washing Machine Song)
Gary Jules - Mad World
WAKE:
Kate Bush - Waking The Witch
Cowboy Junkies - Cheap Is How I Feel
Original ‘Hair’ Soundtrack - Let The Sun Shine In
Oingo Boingo – Just Another Day
Madonna – Die Another Day
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