If you didn't have a Nintendo interactive alarm clock on your 2024 bingo card, you're not alone! But here we are, with the exciting launch of the "Nintendo Sound Clock: Alarmo." Alongside this innovative device, Nintendo has also announced a mysterious Switch Online playtest, adding to the buzz around their latest offerings.
Nintendo Releases an Interactive Alarm Clock
Free Alarm Updates Coming Soon!
Nintendo has introduced the "Nintendo Sound Clock: Alarmo," an interactive alarm clock priced at $99. "Alarmo responds to your body’s movement with game sounds," Nintendo announced, "allowing you to feel like you’re waking up in the game world itself." The Alarmo features alarm sounds inspired by popular Nintendo games like Mario, Zelda, Splatoon, and more, with additional alarm sounds promised for free in the future.
The unique feature of this interactive alarm clock is that it will only stop ringing once you "get all the way out of bed," which Nintendo describes as a "brief victory fanfare"—a fitting metaphor for the daily challenge of rising in the morning.
Setting up Alarmo is straightforward: select a title from the available options, choose a scene, set the alarm time, and let Alarmo take over. The interactivity comes into play as you can wave your hand in front of the alarm clock to temporarily quiet it. However, lingering in bed will only make the alarm louder until you get up and move.
Alarmo uses a special "radio wave sensor," as explained by Nintendo. This sensor utilizes the reflection of radio waves to measure your distance from the alarm clock and the speed of your movements.
"The key feature is that it can recognize very subtle movements, and unlike cameras, it doesn't need to film videos, so privacy is better protected compared to cameras," said Nintendo developer Tetsuya Akama. "Since it uses radio waves, it can be used in dark rooms and can detect movements even if there are obstacles, as long as the radio waves can pass through."
Nintendo has made Alarmo available for purchase online via the My Nintendo Store for a limited time to Nintendo Switch Online members in the United States and Canada, ahead of the general public. "All visitors to the Nintendo New York store can purchase Nintendo Sound Clock: Alarmo in person at launch while supplies last," they confirmed.
Nintendo Announces Switch Online Playtest
Applications Begin October 10!
In other news, Nintendo has announced that applications for a Switch Online playtest will be open from October 10 at 8:00 AM PT / 11:00 AM ET until October 15 at 7:59 AM PT / 10:59 AM ET. "We will perform a test called Nintendo Switch Online: Playtest Program related to a new feature for the Nintendo Switch Online service offered for the Nintendo Switch™ system," the company stated.
Up to 10,000 participants will be selected, with those outside Japan chosen on a first-come-first-serve basis. Applications will close early if the participant limit is reached. To be eligible, participants must meet the following criteria:
- You must have an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership as of Wednesday, 10/09/2024 03:00 p.m. PDT.
- You must be at least 18 years of age as of Wednesday, 10/09/2024 03:00 p.m. PDT.
- Your Nintendo Account must be registered to one of the following countries: Japan, The United States of America, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, or Spain.
The Switch Online playtest will run from October 23, 2024, at 6:00 PM PT / 9:00 PM ET to November 5, 2024, at 4:59 PM PT / 7:59 PM ET.
