Wake Up With One Of These Four Cool Alarm Clocks

Alarm clocks might be the most hated bedroom furnishing in the world.  These devices are meant to wake people from peaceful sleep and get them up for their day at work or school.  Most are mere clocks that display the time and ring or play music at the appointed hour each morning.  Sure, no one would argue with their usefulness.  However, many people have given up on their standard bed-side alarm clacks in favor of the alarm clock features on their phones, computers or even televisions.  These cool alarm-clocks, however, prove that the dedicated alarm clock is not a thing of the past:

The Moshi Voice Interactive Talking Alarm Clock

Many people have done away with their alarm clocks because most of the options have annoying bells or beeps.  That is not the case with the Moshi Talking Alarm Clock.  You can wake up and get the latest information about the conditions outside without even opening your eyes.  This voice activated alarm clock can share time and temp information with a simple voice command thanks to its state-of-the-art voice recognition software.  The clock also has an illuminated nightlight.  This clock is the perfect option for someone who wants a clock that can do more than tell the time.

 

Lily’s Home Starry Night Projector and Sound Shooter

This clock is perfect for children or for anyone who wants some music and lights to fall asleep by and wake up to in the morning.  A projector on the top of this clock shows star-like patterns on the walls and ceiling while a selection of six different lullaby songs plays.  This is an ideal option for children who are in the early years of the schooling and have their first alarm clock.  This clock also has nature sounds, which can be set to wake up a person gently rather than with loud bells or beeps.

Princess International Flying Alarm Clock

Yes, you read that right: a flying alarm clock.  This is a great choice for people who just can’t get out of bed in the morning.  The flying alarm clock has a very unusual feature: a helicopter-like rotor that is launched from the clock when the alarm goes off.  Attached to the rotor is a small key that is the only way to turn off the alarm.  So in order to stop the beeping, a person has to get up and grab the key from the rotor in a far corner of the room before they can turn off the alarm.  No, this is not a wake-up-gently alarm clock, but if you need a jolt to get out of bed in the morning, then this clock might be a great option for you.

Sharper Image Sound Soother Alarm Clock

Quality is very important when it comes to an alarm clock.  Get something that isn’t high quality and isn’t built to last and you will end up oversleeping.  The Sharper Image Sound Soother is a great choice for people who are concerned about quality.  It is also one of the better dedicated alarm clocks for people who want to wake up gently in the  morning.  This clock has 20 different sounds that can enhance relaxation (good for “white-noise” as well as for a gentle wake-up call).  There is also a beep tone for people who need more than a gentle nudge to get out of bed in the morning.  Other features like an automatic time reset (useful for power outages) and dual alarm settings really make this a great tool for people who want a dedicated alarm clock on their bedside table.  Of course, like many Sharper Image products, it is a good choice for style-conscious people as well.

 

Merry Christmas!

We here at Meritline wish you a merry Christmas.  Hope you got what you wished for, or at least wasn’t naughty enough to get taken by Krampus.

Best Options For Your First DSLR Camera

People in search of a device that they can use to take pictures have a lot of options.  They can use a cell phone with a good camera, a pocket-sized point-and-shoot camera or even a video camera that can take quality stills.  For people who want to take really great photos and handle whatever light conditions that they find themselves in, a DSLR camera is the best option.  These cameras have interchangeable lenses and a level of control that is just not found in smaller or cheaper cameras.  It is easy to get carried away with pixel statistics and extra features, but, for most people, a good DSLR that costs less than $1,000 is suitable for all their picture-taking tasks.

If you want to take great pictures that you would be proud to share on sites like Flickr and SmugMug, then these DSLR cameras might be for you.

Canon EOS Rebel T4i

Canon introduced one of the first quality SLR cameras for amateur photographers back in the pre-digital days.  The Rebel has been a popular choice for consumers who do not need professional level cameras, but who still want a camera that gives them a decent level of control and allows them to take professional quality photos.  The latest incarnation of the Rebel, the T4i, is available with an optional lens kit that makes it the best choice on the entry-level DSLR market.  In fact, the advantage of this camera is that it can be used with Canon’s huge array of high quality lenses.  So, if you are buying a DSLR so that you can take advantage of the ability to change lenses easily, then this is probably your best option (some of the lens kits put the overall price tag of the rebel T4i over the $1,000, however).  At the same time, if you want a camera with a standard lens, there are some equally interesting sub-$1,000 options out there.

Other Cannon Rebel models

The Rebel 3Ti is a cheaper option that has many of the features that people seeking a camera in the $800 price range could want. It can shoot great video and quality still images, but its overall speed might make it a poor choice for people who want to shoot action pictures.  The Rebel 2Ti and 1Ti offer more basic controls and features, but are still good options for people in search of a budget DSLR.

Sony Alpha SLT-A37

The Alpha is another long-running line that has stood the test of time.  This latest version costs less than $800.  It does not bear the name of Nikon or Canon, but it is a solid choice with a few outstanding lens options.  For people who want a basic camera that can take stills and shoot decent video, it is a solid choice.  The Alpha has a good LCD screen and a fast processor so that it can work when shooting at speed.  The Alphas might lack some qualities that advanced shooters are looking for, but it is certainly a solid choice for people who want a basic, user-friendly DSLR.

Nikon D5100

Nikon’s D-series is the answer to the Rebel.  These cameras can do pretty much everything that the comparable Rebel models can do.  It comes down to a matter of preference.  At the high end of the sub-$1,000 market, Nikon cameras might prove a little more user-friendly overall, while Canon’s lower end models might get the best-in-class nod.  But again, the difference is so miniscule that most photographers won’t be able to choose a favorite. However, these cameras have different menus and user interfaces, so many people find that they prefer Nikon’s interface.