With the beginning of the 21st century, modern high technologies, which until recently were classified as science fiction, are increasingly being introduced into everyday life. ordinary people. One of these technological innovations, actively offered to everyone, is a smart alarm clock bracelet with sleep phases. How does this type of gadget work, what are its features and characteristics, what should you look for when choosing a specific model? You will learn about this and much more by reading our article.
Why do you need a smart alarm clock?
A smart alarm bracelet is one of the types of modern fitness gadgets. Their main purpose is to monitor the sleep of the person wearing this device and wake up the person at a certain time.
The bracelets are equipped with special sensors that constantly read the main vital signs user, define . Through software analysis the optimal time interval for waking up is selected, which will not harm the quality of sleep and human health.
Almost all modern devices of this type on the market can be synchronized with software installed on a personal computer or smartphone for the most accurate settings and obtaining detailed statistics if necessary. Also, if desired, the gadget can work completely autonomously, being configured just once.
Beautiful external compact appearance, long time continuous operation, light vibration on your hand to wake you up instead of a loud, annoying ringtone - a smart bracelet alarm clock is worth the money and can really improve the quality of your sleep.
How does the bracelet determine sleep stages?
This device continuously monitors a person's vital signs. Main sensors:
- Sound recording miniature microphone. Registers all sounds made by a person during a night's rest and registers their maximum decrease and increase, which are characteristics of the sleep phases;
- Heart rate monitor. Monitors a person’s heart rate – it differs significantly in the phases of REM and NREM sleep;
- Accelerometer. Determines any motor activity of the wearer.
The above indicators are analyzed by the software and based on them, sleep phases are determined, as well as the ideal time to wake up. The most advanced ones can even be used to record serious sleep disorders - for example, somnambulism, since specific data in the form of readings is available in the smartphone application interface.
Smart alarm clock bracelet with sleep phases
Below are the most popular and in-demand series of smart bracelets on the market from well-known manufacturers that have proven themselves well among users.
Xiaomi MiBand
An inexpensive but very functional line of electronic bracelets from a young but very dynamically developing brand - in just six years, the company has grown into a real giant of personal electronic equipment, actively squeezing out more famous Chinese competitors.
The first model of the gadget appeared in 2014, had decent functionality by the standards of those years and a very low cost compared to competitors - the recommended price of $13 surprised many. At the moment, the model range includes modifications 1A and 1S with expanded capabilities and higher quality materials, as well as a mid-2016 model - Xiaomi MiBand 2 - the latter, unfortunately, does not have a smart alarm function. One of the best solutions from the brand for us today is Xiaomi MiBand 1S Pulse.
Basic characteristics:
- Total weight – 5.5 grams;
- Case material – metal;
- The main method of notification is vibration and light indication (LEDs and vibration motor);
- Dimensions – 37.9 by 13.76 by 9.9 millimeters;
- Compatibility – Android 4.3+, iOS 7.0+;
- Battery – 45 mAh (actual continuous operation time – 12-15 days, fully charged in 2 hours);
- Water protection – class IP67 (water-repellent);
- Sensors – accelerometer and heart rate monitor;
- Price range is from 13 to 25 dollars.
In addition to the device, the standard package includes a black silicone bracelet, a USB charging cable and brief documentation.
To synchronize with a smartphone, standard Mi Fi software is used t – for it to work, you need to create an account in the system, and also go through confirmation via SMS. Full functionality is available in the Android version, while iOS only allows you to keep step statistics, set an alarm clock and measure your heart rate without recording it in the readings.
Basic functions:
Key Features:
- View counts of steps taken, calories burned, advanced sleep data, weight and heart rate indicators;
- Setting up a smart alarm;
- Creating and monitoring goals;
- Tracking the route of movement with recording kilometers;
- Bracelet search mode if lost.
A smart alarm clock can work without a phone, and notifications from various applications do not disturb a person’s sleep.
According to most reviews about the gadget, it almost perfectly combines wide functionality and low cost, however, some users note some errors when calculating the distance traveled - the device often perceives fast walking as running, but the alarm clock works perfectly correctly and always gives a wake-up signal in phase REM sleep.
Conclusion– an ideal choice, the best offer on the market.
Jawbone U.P.
Another well-known fitness bracelet on the world market with a built-in smart alarm function. The model range was developed by one of the pioneers of the industry - the company of the same name, which officially presented the above-described convenient gadget back in 2012.
Since that time, the manufacturer has primarily focused on improving the software and creating mechanisms for synchronizing the device with third-party popular applications. Wherein the hardware of gadgets remained unchanged for a long time, which competitors skillfully took advantage of by releasing more inexpensive analogues with better functionality.
A new line from Jawbone called UP2, presented to the general public almost 4 years after the debut presentation, was designed to restore the balance of power in the market and partially coped with this task. The latest model range includes 8 devices in the price range from 30 to 120 dollars. The most popular gadget, naturally, was the younger modification.
Main settings:
- Weight – 25 grams;
- Dimensions – 11.5 by 3 by 8.5 millimeters, strap varies between 140-190 millimeters;
- Software – Adroid 4.0+, iOS 7.0+;
- Moisture resistance – splash protection;
- Material – rubber;
- Battery – 38 mAh, actual operating time is about 7 days, charging takes 1.5 hours;
- Sensors – pedometer-accelerometer;
- Indication – vibration and LED.
To the obvious advantages and functional features gadget include a secure fit on the arm, high-quality material, a very functional application and full integration with almost all third party services, the presence of a smart alarm clock.
Of the minuses, we note the absence of mechanical control keys, too complicated control, high cost of the product. In addition, the product’s alarm clock does not work correctly without synchronization with the phone, and according to some reviews, sometimes it does not work quite correctly - the absence of a heart rate monitor for additional data acquisition that would help more accurately identify the REM sleep phase makes itself felt.
Conclusion – a good option for fans of the brand and adherents of maximum integration of a smart bracelet with all kinds of third-party services.
Fitbit Flex
Fitbit was not a pioneer in creating smart alarm bracelets - Having entered the market with her gadget, she already had competitors in the person of Jawbone and Nike. The developer tried to take into account all the advantages and disadvantages of the first models, releasing the most adapted and correctly working device.
Fitbit decided to focus on cost in its initial One line - their first prototype was the cheapest and most accessible in its niche. Further, the Flex, Ultra and Shine model series were released, designed for all major groups of the population - from poor students to people willing to spend $ 150 on a convenient device. However, it was the Fitbit Flex that truly became a massive hit..
Basic characteristics:
- Weight – 10 grams;
- Dimensions – taken into account with a strap, minimum size 140 by 14 millimeters;
- Operating time – up to 5 days;
- Indication – LED;
- Sensors – accelerometer;
- Software – Android 4.3+, iOS 7+;
- Moisture protection is basic.
Among the main features, we note a rich set of accessories with two straps, as well as a special fastening system - the device itself is miniature and is inserted into the grooves of the strap, without being a solid gadget. Besides, the average cost of a bracelet of this model in online stores does not exceed $25.
Of the obvious disadvantages note that it is not very well developed software, which provides only basic monitoring, lack of integration with third-party services, inconvenient charging - to carry it out, you first need to remove the module from the strap, then insert it into a unique connector and, at the end of the process, put it back into the holder. In addition, the smart alarm clock does not take into account sleep phases (although it can work autonomously, without synchronizing with the phone) and works exactly according to the schedule, signaling with vibration that you are waking up.
Conclusion - a good option for those who are buying a smart bracelet for the first time and only need the most basic functions.
Other popular brands of bracelets
The following brands of smart alarm bracelets are quite widely represented on the market:
- Sony Smartband. Very strong smart bracelets with a standard set of functions, including a smart alarm clock. Ideal functionality is somewhat overshadowed by the high cost - from $130 and above;
- Popular SmartBand Intelligent. An excellent Chinese alternative to established electronics giants. The gadget has 3 sensors (accelerometer, microphone, heart rate monitor), a lot of useful functions, its own software, although it does not synchronize with third-party services. The average cost is around $40 – an excellent investment;
- Nike FuelBand SE. High-quality materials, aggressive-sporty style, bright display and powerful vibration, reliable push-button control, large LED display - great amount benefits. Despite all its advantages, the smart alarm clock, according to numerous user reviews, does not work correctly and periodically goes off during the slow-wave sleep phase.
Sleep complexes
Large electronics manufacturers are increasingly offering people who care about their health entire systems for assessing and monitoring sleep quality. Such complexes represent a number of innovative gadgets with unique features and a range of sensors that record every aspect of your night's rest. This is more than just a smart alarm clock or an advanced fitness bracelet!
The cost of the above complexes usually starts from 10-12 thousand rubles, however, such a sleep monitoring system is clearly worthy of its money. The package usually includes:
- Central module. It is a complex device that combines the functions of an alarm clock, a night light and a container for light/temperature sensors;
- Mattress lining. An additional device that records any human movements;
- Heart rate monitor. This component reads the person's pulse and transmits them to the central module along with the pad;
- Software and instructions. Unique software analyzes all available information from sensors and stores it in the form of readings.
Key Features:
- Assistance in falling asleep by creating an optimal light and sound background based on data from sensors;
- Truly intelligent, correct awakening, taking into account the phases of rapid and slow sleep;
- Full control of your night's rest and the possibility of subsequent data analysis that will help combat systemic sleep disorders.
Most often on the domestic market you can find sleep systems from Withings Aura, Sense-Sleep Pill, AXbo and Slepptracker. They differ significantly in cost and configuration, but have a similar principle of operation and operation.
Phone as a smart alarm clock
Another alternative to bracelet alarm clocks is sleep trackers installed on smartphones or tablets as applications. Thanks to them, a classic phone can become a smart alarm clock.
How it works? After installing the application, it gains access to the microphone and accelerometer of the device. When a person goes to bed, he must activate the program and place the smartphone next to him on the pillow. During sleep, the software analyzes your breathing and possible body movements through sensors, as a result of which it determines the phases of fast and slow sleep. When setting a signal for a certain time, the ideal interval for awakening will be selected, no later than the limit.
At the moment, as in Google Play, and in the Apple Store there are dozens of similar programs available, both free, but with an abundance of advertising and some blocked functions, and paid, moreover, from eminent manufacturers who have already proven themselves in the market for developing real gadgets and software for improving sleep. Most popular - Sleep Cycle, Runstatic, Nelurra.
General conclusion and conclusions
Smart alarm bracelets and similar gadgets, as well as specialized software, really help a person wake up in the morning at the optimal time. However, their effectiveness depends on a number of factors:
- Sufficient functionality of the gadget. Only some of their models are capable of intelligently monitoring sleep and choosing the right phase of awakening. The cheapest models do not have this feature;
- Compliance with operating standards. When using the device, you must fully adhere to all requirements for its operation, from proper wearing to the need for regular synchronization with the software;
- Correct setting. You should not use a gadget if you do not understand its settings and capabilities.
Enjoy your holiday, good night and easy awakening!
Those who like to sleep in the morning and for whom the need to get up early becomes a real tragedy will come in handy with an excellent device that appeared on the market not so long ago. This is a smart alarm clock that makes waking up in the morning easy and comfortable. This is exactly what it's about interesting invention humanity and we'll talk in the article.
When is the best time to wake up?
Rest time does not pass monotonously. In a dream, one phase replaces another. The best option, according to scientists, is to wake up during the mild phase. If the alarm clock wakes you up during a period when sleep is deep, you may feel exhausted and as if there was no night's rest at all.
But there is also an option that, having slept just a little, a person is charged with a lot of energy and has a great time throughout his entire next day. This, as a rule, happens precisely because he woke up quickly. It’s good if a person can do it himself. Well, if this doesn’t work out, then an excellent modern device comes to the rescue.
Smart alarm clock for iPhone
An alarm clock can be made, for example, as a separate device connected to a gadget on Android or iPhone. But it can also be built into a mobile device or special so-called fitness bracelets.
If we are talking about a smartphone, then you usually need to download special applications for it in order to activate a smart alarm clock. Android, for example, has great option called Smart Alarm Clock.
Smart Sleep Time app
You can set Sleep Time on your iPhone. The application functions as follows: the alarm clock is set and placed next to the pillow. The screen should be facing down. The phone will read a person’s movements and thus determine the onset of the sleep phase. When the required time for awakening approaches, it becomes active. Thus, the owners say, a smart alarm clock with sleep phases guarantees a pleasant morning with a feeling of good spirits and good mood.
Smart app Pillow
Another great app is Pillow. Sleep tracking occurs using special sensors: a microphone and an accelerometer. In this way, movements during sleep and breathing are monitored. There are paid and free versions of the application. But main function works in both of them. When the alarm goes off, the volume starts from zero and gradually reaches 70%. If you touch the screen with your hand at this time, the volume will decrease and after a few seconds the sound will disappear. But the mechanism will work again in ten minutes in the same mode.
Smart Alarm Clock app
For Android, as mentioned, you can download Smart Alarm Clock. The application works in much the same way as the options described above. The following functions are available for it:
- you can independently choose in which phase of sleep you want to wake up;
- all sounds are recorded;
- statistics and their phases are kept;
- special music is offered for falling asleep, as well as for waking up;
- weather forecast available.
Smart app WakeUp OrDie! Alarm Clock
This application is also designed for Android. He is considered one of the most unsuccessful. Usually, a smart alarm clock with sleep phases, trying to wake up its owner, falls silent and lets you sleep a little more, and then announces itself again. But that definitely doesn't describe WakeUp OrDie! Alarm Clock. The device will ring until some green monster in it disappears. And to do this, you need to shake your smartphone thoroughly.
There are virtually no settings in this application, the owners note. All you can do is set the required time, turn on the vibrating function, and also select a gradually increasing melody.
Smart application "Buddhist"
This is an interesting application. When activated, it seems that it doesn’t wake you up in the morning. electronic device, but a real person, just a stranger. To get this unusual opportunity, you first register in a special service, and then set the required time. Now you can go to bed.
When that “X” moment comes, another registered user of the same service will wake up “Sonya”. In almost all cases, calls for one and the other party are free. The only exceptions are calls for those who are in roaming.
Stationary alarm clocks
The most common of these types are alarm clocks from Axbo. The gadget has the shape of a box with a processor built inside. It comes with a special wristband that allows you to read your heart rate during sleep. Thus, the smart alarm clock seems to sense the sleep phase. The device operates from the network, and understanding its essence is not particularly difficult.
But those who still doubt the need to purchase this watch should first try downloading a free or paid application to a smartphone. Then a more accurate opinion about him may be formed. Users respond well to the device; it’s easy to figure out on your own.
Well, those who decide to purchase this smart alarm clock should prepare +/- twelve thousand rubles. This is the amount it will cost to purchase the device.
Fitness bracelet with smart alarm clock or watch?
Not so long ago, these small and convenient gadgets quickly burst into our lives. However, there is still no clear opinion as to how much the right thing they are. The device helps you actually keep your physical health. It can count the steps taken during the day, the meals eaten and the calories burned during exercise when playing sports.
By putting such a bracelet on your hand and going to the gym, you don’t have to worry about missing an important call that you find out about too late, or receiving an unnoticed SMS message. The gadget has many built-in sensors that allow you to perform a variety of functions.
So, your heartbeat will now be under control, thanks to which you can decide when the training should be intensified and when it is better to stop and complete it. But the main thing that interests us is a smart alarm clock. The bracelet uses it to track sleep phases in the same way as in other gadgets. It is placed on the arm and goes to bed. The ergonomic design makes the device almost invisible, which is very important when sleeping. You will hardly feel it on your hand. But for particularly susceptible natures, this need can be bypassed. After all, a gadget tablet can be easily attached to your night pajamas. And he will continue to just as easily read the necessary information in order to wake up his owner at the most appropriate time.
The price range for devices varies greatly depending on the functionality that is built into them. However, by now almost everyone, even the most simple devices have a smart alarm sensor. Devices can be purchased at different prices, ranging from a thousand rubles to sixteen thousand and above.
A significant advantage is that the bracelet is waterproof, which makes it possible to wear it in the pool or while taking a shower.
A more serious device of this type is a watch with a smart alarm clock. They have impressive functionality and a spectacular, beautiful design. However, at the same time, the watch is more bulky. Therefore, sleeping with them may seem problematic and uncomfortable for some people. And the cost of these devices is much higher than bracelets. Thus, the price range ranges from two and a half thousand to sixty-five thousand rubles and above.
Conclusion
It only remains to add that thanks to this device you can normalize your sleep. Of course, you can achieve this without using even the best smart alarm clock, but on your own. But the device can help in mastering this technique. And if you go to bed on time, you can guarantee yourself a sound, healthy sleep and a soft awakening. After this, you will feel great all day, and you will be able to do much more.
Mornings are rarely good for many people. Those who consider themselves “night owls” are convinced of this. Getting up early is a real hell for them. Nowadays, there are many smart gadgets that help eliminate difficulties when waking up.
They are represented by bracelets and fitness trackers, and can be integrated into phones or standalone. These devices differ in their method of operation. They can increase the convenience of life by monitoring the quality of a person's health, helping to wake up at the right moment, related to the appropriate period of emerging from a night's rest.
The benefits of a device for measuring sleep phases
To best understand the benefits of a gadget, it is necessary to understand the physiological mechanism of the currents that occur in our brain during sleep. And in general, in that stay when processes take place in the body that contribute to the restoration of strength.
Sleep must be assessed as alternating phases of rapid and slow sleep. From the duration of the slow deep sleep physical rest begins, only during this period the volumes of lactic acid accumulated during the day are burned in the tissues. But a person feels bodily fatigue precisely when this acid is concentrated in the muscles.
In the fast phase, the psychological oppression from the events preceding the time when the person went to rest is removed. It is this phase that is characterized by dreams, in which the psychological stress accumulated the day before spills out.
Alarm clock based on sleep phases - Purpose
A smart alarm clock is a device that makes getting up in the morning easier and more cheerful. Scientists have proven that mood and well-being depend not only on the duration of the night's rest, but also on the time of awakening.
Most likely, every person noticed that sometimes, after sleeping for eight hours, he got out of bed in a broken state, and sometimes, after just six hours of rest, he felt great. Why is that? The fact is that sleep is cyclical and is divided into phases that change each other. To be in a great mood, you should get out of bed in the phase that is closest to wakefulness.
Most people associate alarm clocks with sudden awakening from slumber. They make a loud noise sharp sound, cause discomfort, because the dream ends unexpectedly and untimely. As a result, the person who wakes up feels lethargic and irritable in the morning.
A feeling of fatigue may be present even when a person has slept for the required amount of time. physiological point view time. But every body is individual, which is why knowing how and at what time to wake yourself up, you can start your everyday life with ease and in a good mood.
Factors influencing a cheerful awakening
Sufficient is not the key to a cheerful awakening and an energetic start to the day. Often a person wakes up irritated and feels physically weak.
What influences a good awakening:
- Pain and numbness in legs at night. Doctors call this phenomenon paresthesia. Along with tingling and burning sensations, restless legs syndrome may occur.
- Insufficient sleep duration. Sleep time should not be less than 9 hours.
- Busy daily routine. The body may need a day's rest to recuperate.
- We fell asleep late. According to experts, the most fruitful time for rest is from 21:00 to 0:00.
- Get up at different times. Sometimes this cannot be avoided due to working conditions. But when a person begins to independently reset the alarm clock for no reason, this makes waking up uncomfortable.
- Late meal. It’s not for nothing that nutritionists recommend having dinner at least 4 hours before bedtime.
- Intense mental activity before bed. Putting off problem solving until the evening may give you the opportunity to work in silence, but will deprive you of deep sleep.
- Discomfort of a place to rest. This point contains many parameters: lighting in the bedroom, humidity and air temperature, mattress hardness.
Stretch your muscles by walking down the street, and not provoke osteochondrosis by sitting motionless at the computer.
Stationary alarm clocks
Alarm clocks of the aXbo model are considered especially famous in this category. Inside such a device there is a processor. The set includes a soft, good-to-touch wristband, the kind you put on your arm before going to bed. This allows the device to read your heart rate, as well as sense and determine the stages of sleep. Operates from the network.
The main advantages are:
- Convenient use. All you have to do is put on the bracelet with the sensor embedded in it and lie down to rest. If you've had a pretty hard day and you can't fall asleep, your directive includes the option to turn on nice sounds of nature. In this case, the motive will stop automatically when you fall asleep.
- This alarm clock also maintains the tension of your movements by receiving detector signals. Later, you can download this information to your computer and view your sleep chart.
- You can set the latest time at which you want to wake up, and the instrument will start giving a signal within half an hour before the allocated time, depending on the most suitable moment.
- The unit can be used by two people. Each user can install their own melody.
As a result, you get a great night's sleep, waking up during a particularly successful sleep phase. These alarms look for the most favorable moment to alert you specifically.
Main parameters of bracelets with smart alarm functions
Such jewelry is charged using a built-in battery. One of the main features of these devices is synchronization with a smartphone. To perform all the functions of the device, you will need a specialized mobile application that guarantees the transfer of information to the smartphone.
The device accompanies its owner during assigned tasks. At any time, information is provided about how much has already been accomplished and advice is given about future work. The unit will remind you of the time for training or eating, and will remind you of the need to take a walk if you have been sitting too long at your workplace.
But the most important quality of the bracelet is its smart alarm clock, which makes it possible to set the wake-up period in a specific range. Then you can only put the bracelet on your hand and go to bed. The device will wake you up during REM sleep by vibration. Likewise, you wake up in a wonderful mood and well-rested. If you prefer to “sleep a little more” in the morning, there is an option to duplicate the signal. For those who forgot to take off the bracelet and immediately went to the shower, there is no reason to worry. These devices are waterproof.
Fitbit Ionic
By detailing and monitoring sleep, dividing it not into two, but into three phases - deep, light and REM sleep, which gives us dreams, this smart watch will track
- noise level,
- illumination
- heart rhythms and breathing that have already become traditional.
The alarm clock here is also “smart” - without which this smart watch could not claim to be a full-fledged fitness bracelet for sleep.
The undoubted advantages of the device include the ability to work without recharging for four days and communication with one of the most advanced user bases. Everything is known by comparison, and the Fitbit Ionic provides this opportunity by offering you to compare the quality of your sleep with the quality of sleep of other people in your age group and your gender.
Fitbit will help you optimize your sleep time by gently reminding you that it's time to stop staring at the TV and go to bed. It will also calculate the optimal time for going to bed in accordance with your work schedule and future tasks. To do this, monitoring your nightly sleep will help.
Xiaomi Mi Band
Last in the review, but first in sales. And not only because this fitness bracelet is obscenely cheap, but also because its menu contains all the full-fledged functions inherent in expensive gadgets:
- sleep phase recognition
- accelerometer
- heart rate monitor
- pedometer - with the ability to convert steps to kilometers
- will calculate the costs spent on physical activity calories
If we also take into account that the weight of the model (only 7 g) and its complete imperceptibility on the hand with its soft, adjustable silicone strap, we have an almost perfect machine, synchronized via Bluetooth with applications on a smartphone.
Alarm clock app for smartphone
This option is especially budget-friendly. The principle of operation is very simple: the phone, with the support of built-in meters (in particular, the accelerometer and microphone), reads the required data. These have to do with how you usually move during sleep, what kind of breathing you have (full, intermittent). All this makes it possible to determine which phase of sleep you are in. As has already been said, the period of the fast phase is considered the right moment for waking up. The main drawback is the need to place the gadget right next to the pillow or even under the sheet. Otherwise, there is a danger of unintentionally dropping it from the crib or cabinet. The most popular applications include:
Sleep Cycle
It can become a faithful assistant, giving detailed statistics with a detailed breakdown by day, week, and sometimes month of how optimally you slept. As a result, after familiarizing yourself with the diagram, you can draw appropriate conclusions about the presence or absence of sleep difficulties.
Pillow
Your personal “smart” pillow. The program tracks sleep using a microphone and accelerometer. The intensity of your movements during sleep and the depth of breathing are recorded, among other things. A huge advantage is the progressively increasing tone of the alarm. In this case, just touch the display, and the sound will gradually begin to decrease and then disappear. But after some time the call will be repeated again so that you do not oversleep.
Smart Alarm Clock
Functions on almost the same basics as previous applications. In addition, there is an option to choose on your own in which phase to awaken. If you're a thrill-seeker, a smart alarm clock will wake you up during your deep sleep. But still, the best solution would be to set the rise time during the fast phase. The program also saves statistics on sleep cycles, so you can familiarize yourself with the corresponding chart. To make it easier to fall asleep, you can choose suitable music for yourself. News with weather monitoring is also available.
Sleep Time
For this application to work well, you need to point the phone screen down, placing it next to the pad. Similarly, the person's movements will be read and the stage of sleep will be determined.
Buddhist
A program with such a funny name really stands out from the rest. Its originality lies in the fact that it is not a digital gadget that awakens you, but a relatively real living person. To turn it on, you will need to register on a special website, then select the required time and go to bed. At a certain hour, one of the logged-in users will wake you up. Additionally, you can be not only a sleepyhead, but also play the role of a “Buddhist” (pun intended), helping someone to awaken. In fact, this is no longer just a smart alarm clock, but a small social network. Calls for both parties are free, except in cases where the subscriber is in a roaming zone.
WakeUp OrDie! Alarm Clock
This program received mostly negative feedback from users. Among the shortcomings is that the alarm clock does not stop ringing for a minute. This is the main difference from other reasonable alarm clocks with sleep phases, which go silent for a certain time and then start ringing again. As a result, there is no smooth transition to the state of waking up, which contradicts the main principles of the operation of such devices.
These smart alarm clocks are aimed at people who lead an energetic lifestyle and want to make their sleep as complete and comfortable as possible. As a result, you wake up in a great mood, properly rested.
Sleep trackers, sleep tracker - a device (or a special application for Android) that determines the phases of slow (or deep) and fast (or paradoxical) sleep, measures the heartbeat and motor activity of a sleeping person, and, based on these data, gives a command to wake up - at the moment when a person is most rested.
These devices can rightfully be called “sleep guardians” and, by and large, the guardians of our mental health. For what is a sleep-deprived person, and even more so when this condition has become chronic? A twitchy, irritable individual with a dull look, who is disliked by those around him and the whole world to boot. And the pace of modern life is often such that maintaining oneself in the hierarchical “cage”, the ability to keep the pace is often accompanied by a lack of time for proper rest, which is important integral part which is sound, healthy sleep.
The benefits of a device for measuring sleep phases
To better understand the benefits of the gadget, you need to understand the physiological mechanism of the processes occurring in our brain during sleep. And in general, in a state when processes occur in the body that contribute to the restoration of strength.
Sleep should be considered as an alternation of phases of rapid and slow sleep. Physical rest depends on the duration of slow, deep sleep; only during this phase of sleep do the volumes of lactic acid accumulated during the day burn in the muscles. But a person feels physical fatigue precisely when this acid has accumulated in the muscles.
In the fast phase, the psychological oppression from the events preceding the time when the person went to rest is removed. It is this phase that is characterized by dreams, in which the psychological stress accumulated the day before spills out.
How does a sleep tracker work?
Alternating the phases of fast and slow sleep allows you to relieve both physical and psychological fatigue. Trackers, these smart bracelets for sleep, worn on the wrist from his active points, allow you to use a heart rate monitor to track changes in the rhythm of the heartbeat and electrical conductivity of the skin, capture microdoses of sweating, and the accelerometer will record in memory all unnecessary, fussy movements characteristic of the REM sleep phases. A special voice recording program will record all the sounds made in a dream and analyze their frequency, volume, and quality.
The natural awakening of a person is always associated with REM sleep: it is this state that allows you to “emerge” from dreams without damage to the psyche. If a person is forcibly awakened when he is in the phase of slow, deep sleep, the entire night's rest goes down the drain.
One of the tasks of sleep trackers is precisely to turn on an alarm clock during the shallow, REM sleep phase. The device can be programmed to wake up in this phase “plus or minus” a few minutes to get exactly into the REM sleep phase so that waking up is easy and pleasant, and the person gets out of bed as rested as possible.
So - a smart alarm clock
To maintain yourself in in the best possible shape, for maximum full recovery forces as a result of sleep, the most popular option will be a “smart alarm clock”.
This option can either be present among the gadget’s programs (and be reflected on its screen) or exist as mobile application with a smartphone synchronized with the device.
Let’s first consider the contactless “Big Three” most preferred devices for 2018.
Runtastic Sleep Better
An application installed on a smartphone. In addition to the “smart alarm clock” function, which will wake you up gently, like your mother in childhood, and not like a sergeant in a training unit screaming “Wake up!”, the application will track the consequences of coffee or alcohol taken the day before, give recommendations on how not to do this and help create a table sleep by the hour in accordance with the lunar calendar. A nice bonus For those who are upset that the memory of a dream they just had melts like snow in the sun, there is the “Dream Diary” program.
The device is able to track the most useful information, which concerns the duration of deep sleep, with measurements at this time of breathing rate and possible motor activity - which is evidence of sleep problems. Indeed, in this phase, sleep should be the most restful during the entire period of this passive rest.
Sleep As Android
Have you often felt the temptation to “shut up” the alarm melody in order to sleep “just a little more”? Do you think this number will work with Sleep As Android? Nope! To turn off the bell, you will have to either solve a simple mathematical problem, or take a close-up photo of a special QR code, which (what a shame!) you attached away from the bed when you were alert and sane. Or the application will require you to control a dozen sheep running across the screen. Only after this the bell will mercifully fall silent.
Among the sleep sensors: a sensitive accelerometer will record all rotations, tossing and turning into the pillow during sleep, and an equally sensitive voice recorder will record both the slightest sigh and a powerful single snore. Not to mention the routine of constant snoring - in order to then shame the person making these non-musical sounds after waking up.
Sleep Cycle
It remains among the most popular, especially among lovers and connoisseurs of saving money in everything: after all, the cost of a downloaded application is only $1. The application can differentiate night sounds well, distinguishing not only the rumbling of a garbage truck outside the window in the early morning from the demanding purring of a cat, but will also track the reaction of sleepy hearing to these two different stimuli. A dream diary (except perhaps without their interpretation, but this option can be downloaded separately), the influence of what was eaten and drunk the day before, involuntary reactions to external stimuli during sleep - that is, everything is the same as in the twin models. Except that it doesn’t take into account the phases of the moon, like theirs.
But it will help to create a table of sleep by hour and its value in each specific period of time.
However, the “Big Three” have a significant drawback: if your wife/girlfriend/lover is next to you, the devices will begin to take into account their readings too! Or, at the very least, an extraneous biofield will cause confusion in the measurements taken during sleep. What a woman! A cat crawling under your side will also contribute to the tracker’s readings. So these gadgets are for “lone wolves”. Well, or for those who locked the cat in the bathroom and left their wife to sleep on the bedside rug (by the way, show me this daredevil?)
Only smart watches or fitness bracelets that are worn on the wrist and take into account only the purely physiological data of the wearer are free from these defects.
Do you know what a polysomnograph is? This is such a rather complex medical device for tracking the phases of fast and slow sleep, recording all its parameters in the form of motor activity, sounds made, breathing, heart rate, sweating and even intestinal activity during sleep. Now imagine that you put the same device, only ten times smaller, on your wrist? Then buy: a smartwatch is at your service
Fitbit Ionic
By detailing and monitoring sleep, dividing it not into two, but into three phases - deep, light and REM sleep, which gives us dreams, this smart watch will track
- noise level,
- illumination
- heart rhythms and breathing that have already become traditional.
The alarm clock here is also “smart” - without which this smart watch could not claim to be a full-fledged sleep fitness bracelet.
The undoubted advantages of the device include the ability to work without recharging for four days and communication with one of the most advanced user bases. It's all about comparison, and the Fitbit Ionic gives you that ability by asking you to compare your sleep quality with the sleep quality of other people in your age group and gender.
Fitbit will help you optimize your sleep time by gently reminding you that it's time to stop staring at the TV and go to bed. It will also calculate the optimal time for going to bed in accordance with your work schedule and future tasks. To do this, monitoring your nightly sleep will help.
Attention!
Vibrating at the right moment is a useful option for those who suffer from sleep apnea. And such people will reach up to 8% of the planet’s population. Apnone is a cessation of breathing in a sleepy state. With age, it can become not only critical (especially if a person lives alone and there is no one to wake him up after he stops breathing in and out in the silence of the night), but also deadly!
Xiaomi Mi Band 2
Last in the review, but first in sales. And not only because this fitness bracelet is obscenely cheap, but also because its menu contains all the full-fledged functions inherent in expensive gadgets:
- sleep phase recognition
- accelerometer
- heart rate monitor
- pedometer – with the ability to convert steps to kilometers
- calculates calories spent on physical activity
If we also take into account that the weight of the model (only 7 g) and its complete imperceptibility on the hand with its soft, adjustable silicone strap, we have an almost perfect machine, synchronized via Bluetooth with applications on a smartphone.
Unlike previous and very cheap Xiaomi models, this one has already acquired a simple but quite informative shockproof display.
Hi all!
Today I want to tell you about one very useful application - Sleep as Android. This is an alarm clock, but not a simple one. I would call it the food processor of the alarm clock world: it does so many things besides brewing coffee in the morning. Let's talk about everything in more detail.
WHAT KIND OF BEAST IS THIS?
Here's what the developer writes about his brainchild:
A little theory. Our sleep is divided into phases of rapid and slow sleep. Purely physiologically, it is easier for a person to wake up in the REM sleep phase. The rapid phase of sleep, in contrast to the slow phase, is characterized by increased mobility of a person during sleep (a person tosses and turns more).
So, this alarm clock uses a motion sensor to track your sleep phases. If the program detects an increase in the frequency of movements, it means the sleep phase is fast; if movements are minimal, it means the sleep phase is slow. Let's say you set your alarm for 7:00. The alarm clock at 06:35 notices that you have entered the REM sleep phase and begins to gently wake you up. Yes, you are actually woken up earlier than the set alarm clock, but you wake up easily and don’t feel overwhelmed. This is the brief operating principle of this application.
PROGRAM FEATURES
The program's capabilities are simply extensive, and it's not for nothing that I say that it's just a food processor. Go through the possibilities again:
I myself use its capabilities by 5 percent maximum. The application is already more than an alarm clock. It can help you fall asleep with lullabies, it can monitor and record snoring, it interacts with smart lamps and can adjust room lighting, and much, much more. Just look at what additions you can add:
PROGRAM INTERFACE
The application interface is a little chaotic precisely because of its versatility. I can’t single out any “tree” of settings here. Everything is not always logical here. Let's say that after reinstalling the application (I recently changed my phone), I again remembered how to set the alarm clock and configure everything for myself.
The program greets us with a page with alarm clocks. All your alarms are collected here - both active and disabled.
When you swipe from left to right across the screen, the main menu of the program pops up. It partially duplicates the functionality from the tabs. Its task is to provide quick access to the most popular functions according to the developer.
Because You've probably already noticed that the functionality of the application is huge, I think everyone will be able to figure out what interests them. I wanted to tell you about the functions that I use myself: I’ll tell you about setting an alarm clock and the intricacies of setting it up.
SETTING THE ALARM AND ITS CONFIGURATION
When adding a new alarm clock, its settings appear:
We configure its time and days of the week. Let's move on to the melody. There are a great variety of them: you can install both standard ones (birds singing, the sound of the sea, etc.) and your own. I myself use the “Summer Storm” melody with a rising sound setting, without vibration (all this is configured in advanced).
We set the duration of the nap - this is the interval for which the alarm will be postponed when you press the "Snooze" button. For me it's 5 minutes. In the advanced settings you can fine-tune everything to suit you.
Let's go down to the settings below.
Setting up smart wake-up. This is exactly the same sacred function that allows you to wake up easily and naturally. I set it to 25 minutes - this means that the program will start waking me up no earlier than 25 minutes before the set time. It's easier to explain in a situation:
- You have an alarm for 07:00, and the smart wake-up time is 25 minutes.
- At 06:00 the program understands that you are in the fast phase of sleep and can be woken up, but until 06:35 (this is just 25 minutes before 07:00) minutes it will be inactive. From 06:35 she will start waking you up (unless, of course, you fall into slow-wave sleep).
Pay attention to the "Autostart" function in advanced. By default, the program uses a motion sensor to detect sleep stages throughout the night. This may be useful for those who want to analyze their sleep more thoroughly. I don’t need this, it’s important for me to wake up easily in the morning. Also, such constant tracking affects the phone's battery charge. That's why I use the "Autostart" function - tracking starts 45 minutes before the set alarm. This saves battery.
By the way, in order for the program to adequately track your sleep, you need to place it next to you before going to bed. I put the phone under the pillow, having previously switched it to Airplane mode. The sensitivity of the sensor can be adjusted individually in the settings.
I have the simplest arithmetic of average complexity. In order to turn off the alarm clock I need to solve 3 examples. By the way, this also has the effect of awakening - your head is already starting to think, which means you are no longer in a dream.
That's it - the alarm clock is set. Now all that remains is to try it on yourself and, if anything happens, make adjustments to the settings based on the conditions that are comfortable for you.
PROGRAM COST
The program is paid and costs 429 rubles on Google Play today. At one time, back in 2014, I bought it for 200 rubles. There is a free period of 14 days, when you can try out all the functionality of the program for yourself and understand whether you need it or not. I assure you, two weeks is enough to draw conclusions.
A SMALL RESULT
After two weeks of the trial period, I decided for myself that I was ready to pay 200 rubles for easy waking up. I have been using this alarm clock for 4 years and am completely satisfied. I don’t even remember when last time felt overwhelmed during the workday. But, of course, the program will not work a miracle if you sleep 5 hours at night. In order to wake up easily and naturally, you need to get enough sleep. Some people need 7 hours of sleep, others like me need 8. Everything is individual.
I will say one thing: with optimal sleep duration, the program copes with its tasks at 5+. I can no longer imagine my morning without her.
P.S. Somehow the main smartphone died and I had to use the standard alarm clock of the spare phone. It was hard in the morning. In this contrast, you especially understand all the advantages of the Sleep as Android application. Try it and I think you won't regret it!
SBERBANK OF RUSSIA - THE BEST BANK for storing money!!! Feedback from SHAREHOLDER OF SBERBANK! Plus LIFEHACK - we make interest on the balance in Sberbank!
Otkritie-Broker - 95% of people CANNOT do this!!! Are you saving money FOR DEPOSIT? Do you want MORE BENEFIT? How to get into 5% and INCREASE CAPITAL? I’ll tell you in detail about my experience with IIS - an individual investment account!
Xiaomi Mi A2 lite mobile phone - THE BEST for me in the price category up to 15,000 rubles! COMPARISON WITH Xiaomi Redmi 6 Pro! PROS, CONS! Example PHOTO with the "BOKE" effect!
CoinKeeper - TIRED OF LIVING FROM SALARY TO SALARY? Do you want to know WHERE DOES YOUR MONEY GO? Then this application will solve YOUR PROBLEMS! Detailed review about CoinKeeper - a program for accounting for personal FINANCES!
Mountain bike Keltt Aviator 620 MD - My FIRST MOUNTAIN BIKE! Difference from the city! Pros, cons! About the condition after three months of use! About the features! Lots of photos!
Cashback service LetyShops - DO NOT BE AFRAID! A service that REALLY RETURNS MONEY TO THE FAMILY) SCREENSHOTS personal account, SMS ABOUT ADMISSION and much more!
Logitech Bluetooth Audio Receiver - CONVENIENT THING! GADGET for transferring music from tablets or smartphones to any connected speakers!
