News

Call it the sunrise simulator. In the coming dead of winter, instead of waking up in darkness, you can be roused more naturally by the Philips Wake-up Light Alarm ($199.99 available at London Drugs).

The milky white, semi-transparent pod looks like something out of Logan's Run, but there's no questioning its effect. The Wake-Up Light Alarm was designed to mimic the way you gradually waken when you are on a relaxing holiday. If you've set the alarm for 7 a.m., at 6:30 the light turns on at a barely perceptible level. Over the next 30 minutes it gradually increases in brightness, mimicking the way your bedroom gets lighter as night gives way to day.

See more Gifts: Home

A light falls on your eyes, Philips claims, it positively affects your energy hormones and prepares your body to awaken, and in doing so makes it a more pleasant experience than jolting awake to the alarm clock.

The last bit is right on. When the alarm does go off, it's not a jarring experience. You have a choice of four natural sounds to wake to: chirping birds, wind chimes, temple bells, or hand drums. If you've opted to be roused by the FM radio, it gradually rises in volume instead of blaring Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers. Talk about a more natural and civilized way to wake up. The only drawback? No battery backup, so if the power goes out in the middle of the night, you'll be late for work. But at least then you'll still be waking up naturally.

Is it possible to be happy about waking early when it's twenty below outside? That may be stretching things a bit, but the Wake-Up Light makes it a more pleasant experience than fumbling through a dark bedroom after your buzzer has just shocked you out of your nocturnal bliss.

The Philips Wake-up Light ($199.99) is available at retail and drug stories such as London Drugs. Enter your postal code on Phiips site for local locations.