Not a bad idea, if it didn't look so dumb.

Japan Transtechnology (JTT) Corporation released the "USB MP3 Clock," an alarm clock that can use MP3 files as an alarm sound, o­n July 28th. Though it is Open Price, the cost o­n the direct sale website is 2,604 yen. Supported operating systems are Windows 98, ME, 2000, and XP.

This is an alarm clock that can playback MP3 files by being connected to a PC with a USB cable. Using the included software, up to 50 seconds of audio can be recorded o­nto it. Furthermore, the software can not o­nly directly transfer MP3s, but also audio CD data, input from a microphone, meaning that basically all of a PC's audio can be used as an alarm sound.

The clock functions include a snooze function that will replay the alarm again after a certain interval, a smooth moving second hand, and the "sweep movement" mechanism supressing the "click click click" all too common of clocks changing hours.

Its external dimensions are 150 x 90 x 170mm (W x D x H). Three AA batteries provide power. Batteries are not included, but a USB cable is. Since the file transfer software is not included with the clock, it must be downloaded from JTT's homepage.



Inspired by:
http://www.watch.impress.co.jp/av/docs/20040729/jtt.htm

Press Release:
http://www.jtt.ne.jp/products/import/mp3clock/index.html