Gizmodo: wake up

REMY Biometric Blanket Wakes You with News on Your Snooze

Kit Eaton — Tue, 27 May 2008 06:25:00 EDT

Designer Dasha Anokhina has created a concept that takes Glo pillow's design to a new level: REMY is a whole dawn-simulating alarm blanket. The system monitors your sleeping movements with a bedside camera. Then, near your chosen alarm time, the blanket begins to light up with an image representing your sleep pattern, waking you as if the sun was rising. And if you're really into self-analysis, it even saves your sleep data to a USB stick so you can review it later. Could make for interesting viewing, if you're as much of a nighttime revolver as I am. [Yanko Design]

The Boynq Wake Up: Just When You Were Getting Sick and Tired of iPod Docks

Sean Fallon — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:50:47 EDT

If you are anything like me, the whole iPod dock thing is getting way, way old. However, one look at this stylish Boynq Wake Up iPod Dock Alarm Clock is (almost) enough to make you fall in love with iPod docks again. The Wake Up isn't just a pretty face however, because it also features a 20-watt amp, a wireless remote that can be docked in place of your iPod, video out so you can play movies on the TV, and an FM radio. If you live in Europe you can get it now for around $185, but there is no word on whether or not those of us in the States will be able to do the same anytime soon. Also available in black. [Boynq via TRFJ]

Brain Pacemaker Awakens the Near Vegetative

Mark Wilson — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 09:25:40 EDT

A new device could add hope to those who live in semi-consciousness from brain injury. Like a pacemaker, this device manufactured by Medtronic Inc. is embedded under the skin near the chest. But its two electrodes journey to the brain instead of the heart. Buried into the area controlling consciousness, the electrodes can jump-start patients to a more awake state, lending support to the damaged nerves in the area.

One subject went from following voices with his eyes to speaking 16 words and drinking on his own. Eleven more patients will be tested in the pilot study, getting implanted with gadgets that, while sporting a decent battery life, have no MP3 or MP4 support. [extremetech (reuters) via ubergizmo]

Japanese Extreme Wake Up Service Vacuums Your Face, Shoves Wasabi Up Your Nose

Brian Lam — Wed, 13 Dec 2006 23:19:17 EST

Sleepy heads in japan can pay a few bucks to have this extreme morning wake up service get their morning started faster than you can say mcdonaldscoffeeburningmycrotch.

For about 8 bucks an attendant will vacuum your face, for 4 bucks, they'll shove wasabi in your nose, and for 15 bucks they'll drip wax on your nipples. Cool, but in America, we can pay $100 bucks to be woken by a girl who pops out of a cake and gives lapdances.

Anyhow, here's a video of a guy being vacuumed til he's up. Man does he look annoyed.

Cake smash!

Dumping goo on his face. Not man-goo.

Making shaved ice on his head.

–Brian Lam

Alarm Service [via Pink Tentacle]