With the overlapping functions of devices today, I don’t find myself wondering why I use my mobile phone as my alarm clock. Sure, my brain may get fried sleeping beside radio waves but what I like about using my phone is that I can customize the alarm sound.

Why? Because if I have a choice of what sound I’d hear first thing in the morning, I don’t want some beeping or clanging sounds to wake me up. Waking up is something I don’t leave to gamble. For some reason, not waking up great tends to dictate my attitude for the day. Being El Groucho just hampers my ability to function tip-top.

I remember back when I was a kid in the 1980s, I used to have one of those monotonous alarm clocks that just jar you awake with its beeps. Those really ruined my day. Good thing I never had those mechanical clockwork alarm clocks that can probably bust an eardrum.

This may not have any scientific bearing but exposing yourself to things that you like does help brighten one’s outlook for the day. I’d rather be woken up gently by a sound that I like rather than by some ear-piercing clanging.

What’s good is that people still innovate on this seemingly basic product. Now I’ve seen products that offer innovations to the concept of an alarm clock like these ones by Sunrise System. They’ve got alarm clocks that wake you up using light. One model even has MP3 playback capabilities. Talk about a possibility of waking in a Zen way with the lights and music.

Some offer vibrating alarm clocks and clocks with programmable alarm schedule. I just hope the vibrating alarm clock doesn’t rock like a jackhammer. The latter one definitely is for people wanting a clock to notify them of their schedule. I’d personally rather use a PDA for that purpose. Well, unless you have some really messed-up body clock to require different waking times.

I wonder what would they come up next. Maybe something that gives off the scent of bacon and eggs or blueberry pancakes. Now those I’d want.