Nintendo's Surprise: An Interactive Alarm Clock and a Mysterious Switch Online Playtest
Forget your 2024 predictions; Nintendo has launched a surprising interactive alarm clock! The Nintendo Sound Clock: Alarmo, priced at $99, uses game sounds to coax you out of bed. The alarm features sounds from popular franchises like Mario, Zelda, and Splatoon, with free updates promised.
How it Works: Alarmo uses a radio wave sensor to detect movement. It won't stop until you're out of bed, rewarding your effort with a "victory fanfare." Waving your hand quiets the alarm temporarily, but lingering in bed will only increase its intensity. Developer Tetsuya Akama emphasizes the alarm's privacy-focused design, using radio waves instead of cameras for motion detection.
Exclusive Early Access: Nintendo Switch Online members in the US and Canada can purchase Alarmo early via the My Nintendo Store. The Nintendo New York store also offers in-person purchases at launch.
A New Switch Online Playtest:
Beyond the alarm clock, Nintendo announced a Switch Online playtest. Applications open October 10th (8:00 AM PT / 11:00 AM ET) and close October 15th (7:59 AM PT / 10:59 AM ET), or earlier if the 10,000 participant limit is reached. The playtest itself runs from October 23rd (6:00 PM PT / 9:00 PM ET) to November 5th (4:59 PM PT / 7:59 PM ET).
Eligibility Requirements:
- Active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership (by October 9th, 3:00 PM PDT).
- At least 18 years old (by October 9th, 3:00 PM PDT).
- Nintendo Account registered in Japan, the US, UK, France, Germany, Italy, or Spain.
This mysterious playtest promises a new feature for the Nintendo Switch Online service, adding another layer of intrigue to Nintendo's recent announcements.
