I currently employ a Squeezebox Boom to gently wake me up with classical music—but I feel that the subtle wit of Stephen Fry might better prepare me for my day.
This is the alarm clock that faithfully reproduces the subtle wit employed by P. G. Wodehouse's most famous character—the valet Reginald Jeeves—as he politely affirms the beginning of the day. The clock plays 126 different wake-up messages in the reserved voice of Stephen Fry, the original actor from the English comedy Jeeves and Wooster. When the alarm sounds, Jeeves speaks softly as he assuages your displeasure that the morning has indeed come: "Excuse me sir, I'm so sorry to disturb you, but it appears to be morning... Very inconvenient, I agree... I believe it is the rotation of the Earth that is to blame, sir," or asks "Shall I inform the news agencies that you are about to rise, sir? If you are not roused sufficiently, a series of beeps will ensue; a press of the clock's rosette cancels the beeps, prompting Jeeves to interject "Sir has a firm touch, but fair," as one of ten possible snooze replies."
The clock will run you $70—but it might actually be worth it. That is unless you would prefer something cheap and tawdry. [ThinkGeek via Slashgear via BBG]