Is there a still room for an alarm clock in 2017?
According to Kickstarter backers of the €100.000 funded smart alarm clock Circa the answer is: yes!
An alarm clock might not be the first thing you have in mind when you’re thinking about a smart product in 2017. But Circa, a stand-alone alarm clock that recently hit its funding goal of €100.000 on Kickstarter, shows that people are still interested in a product that does one thing well. It’s aim? Helping you sleep better with built-in sleep features, so you can finally get rid of that phone next to your bed.
According to a recent study, published by Deloitte last month, 81 percent of people use their phone within an hour before going to sleep. And if you’re one of them, chances are that scrolling timelines and responding to notifications are affecting your sleep. Circa wants to help you get rid of your smartphone in the bedroom by helping you sleep better without distractions. It gently helps you to fall asleep and intelligently wakes you up at the right time, to make you feel well-rested in the morning.
How?
In the evening, white noise, nature sounds or a breathing indicator help you to calm your breath and slow down your thoughts before drifting away. At night, Circa’s display is dark by default, only showing the time when you need it.
Circa features a thin sensor placed underneath your mattress that measures movement and respiration to understand your sleep cycles. Old-fashioned alarm clocks wake you up at a fixed time every day, whether you are in a deep or light sleep. In a timeframe of 30 minutes before your alarm is set, Circa’s smart alarm will find the best moment to wake you up naturally in light sleep, making you feel more refreshed in the morning.
To improve your sleep routine, Circa provides you with insights based on multiple nights. Instead of an arbitrary “sleep quality score”, it helps you to adjust your schedule to get the most out of your night. And don't worry about your sleep data, all information is stored and processed locally on the device.
Circa features a carefully designed audio system that makes your music sound rich and clear. Wake up with a wide selection of beautiful alarm sounds or listen to your favorite stations and playlists on Spotify or digital radio.
For a fully soothing wake-up experience you can connect Circa with your connected lights or thermostat to slowly light up your room or make your home comfortable before the alarm goes off. The only thing you have left to do is turning on your coffee maker.
Circa is available on Kickstarter until 12 December and comes in three colors. Pricing for a single unit starts at €179.
About Circa
Circa is a standalone alarm clock that helps you improve your sleeping habits. It helps you fall asleep and gently wakes you up at the right moment – no smartphone needed.