On Wednesday, Nintendo announced Sound Clock Alarmo, a $99 bedside smart clock that uses motion sensors to detect when users move during sleep to keep track of sleep patterns. The clock, which is only available to Nintendo Online subscribers until January 2025, changes appearance based on the selected alarm, with different clock faces corresponding to various Nintendo games like Super Mario Odyssey, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Splatoon 3.
Unlike other sleep trackers that require you to physically wear something (such as the Apple Watch), Alarmo uses millimeter-wave presence sensors to track user movement, and it feeds that data into an internal system that keeps track of user sleep patterns (Alarmo does not send any sleep information to Nintendo).
The clock tracks how long the person has been sleeping and how long it took them to get out of bed after the alarm went off. Sleepy users can also use gestures to trigger a snooze function without physically touching the clock.
Despite the motion-tracking technology involved, Nintendo says privacy is key. "This sensor can detect the movement of a person in bed even when they're covered with a duvet, and it doesn't need to use images or video like a camera," said Alarmo project manager Yosuke Tamori in a Nintendo-published interview. "Due to those characteristics, we'd been discussing internally for some time that a motion sensor could also be suitable for use in a private space, such as a bedroom."
The motion detectors reportedly work with various bed sizes, from twin to king. As users shift position, the clock's display responds by moving on-screen characters from left to right and playing sound effects from Nintendo video games based on different selectable themes.
The Verge's Chris Welch examined the new device at Nintendo's New York City store shortly after its announcement, noting that setting up Alarmo involves a lengthy process of configuring its motion-detection features. The setup cannot be skipped and might prove challenging for younger users. The clock prompts users to input the date, time, and bed-related information to calibrate its sensors properly. Even so, Welch described "small, thoughtful Nintendo touches throughout the experience."
Themes and sounds
Beyond motion tracking, the clock has a few other tricks up its sleeve. Its screen brightness adjusts automatically based on ambient light levels, and users can control Alarmo through buttons on top, including a large dial for navigation and selection.
The device's full-color rectangular display shows the time and 35 different scenes that feature animated Nintendo characters from games like the aforementioned Super Mario Odyssey, The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, and Splatoon 3, as well as Pikmin 4 and Ring Fit Adventure.
Alarmo also offers sleep sounds to help users doze off. Nintendo plans to release additional downloadable sounds and themes for the device in the future using its built-in Wi-Fi capabilities, which are accessible after linking a Nintendo account. The Nintendo website mentions upcoming themes for Mario Kart 8 Deluxe and Animal Crossing: New Horizons in particular.
As of today, Nintendo Online members can order an Alarmo online, and as mentioned above, Nintendo says the clock will be available through other retailers in January 2025.
