Every once in awhile something lands in my hands that makes me stop and say “what?” Something so bizarre I just scratch my head and stare in bewilderment. Something so unique that you can’t even tell what it is until you turn it on. BeoTime is that device.
Bang and Olufsen is known for high end audio/visual gear with stunning design, and let me tell you BeoTime doesn’t disappoint. There’s a good chance you’ve never seen a alarm clock quite like this. But is it practical to drop more than $400 on a clock for your bedroom? I have mixed opinions.
The Concept
If you’ve ever walked into a Bang and Olufsen showroom you know you’re in for a visual treat. Nothing, I repeat nothing is boring. There is eye candy every which way you look. Speakers that look like droids, phones that resemble weapons found in science fiction movies. The company knows how to design conversation pieces. BeoTime is one heck of a conversation piece.
The idea here is to offer customers more than just a clock. Sure, it wakes you up each morning with a gentle chime, but it can also control almost every piece of audio/visual equipment in your home. Yes, a universal remote built right into your alarm clock.
The Design
When I showed BeoTime to my colleagues around the office and asked them what it was, most replied an electronic flute. There’s good reason for that, as BeoTime was indeed modeled after a flute. The long aluminum shaft, the LCD screens which could also double as the keys. It gives the clock a familiar yet modern look. It really is beautiful to look at and looks great sitting on a nightstand next to the bed. When it comes to design, Bang and Olufsen has a winner on its hands.
Almost all of the features are controlled through one single button. A silver square on the face of the clock is used to set the time, set the alarm, and choose a source. I love the way the button fits right in with the clock’s design. If you didn’t know the small silver square was a button, you’d mistake it for an ornamental piece of the clock.
If you prefer to have the numbers displayed on the left side of the clock rather than the right side, all you have to do is flip the BeoTime over. The clock has a built-in tilt sensor that can determine which way is up and will automatically display the numbers in the appropriate screen depending on its position.
The Features
First and foremost BeoTime is an alarm clock. Set the alarm, go to sleep, and wake up to it’s soothing alarm when it’s time to get up. I say soothing because the “chime” as Bang and Olufson calls it, starts off soft and gradually gets louder. I spent a week waking up to the chime and I’ve got to say, as quiet as it is, it works well.
If you are the type of person that hates alarms, no matter how “soothing” they are, you can set the BeoTime to wake you up with music or your favorite television show. BeoTime can be set up to turn on a radio, CD player, Internet radio, television, DVD player, even the lights in your home. Just choose your alarm source and you’re done. I set BeoTime to start up a BeoSound 1 sound system. It worked like a charm. Not only did it find and turn on the BeoSound 1 with no configuring what so ever, I could even select which radio station I wanted it to tune it to wake me up. Sweet!
Another nice feature is BeoTime is touch sensitive. The screen automatically dims after a few seconds so it doesn’t illuminate your room at night. If you want to check the time, you just have to touch the clock. The LCD screens will light up for a few seconds then go back to sleep.
The Downsides
Basically the downside of BeoTime comes down to money. First of all, BeoTime will set you back $420 CDN. Yikes! That’s a lot of cash for an alarm clock. One could argue that it’s more than an alarm clock, it also controls your home audio/video equipment. Yes that’s true, but it can only control Bang and Olufsen equipment. BeoTime will not turn on any other audio or video devices! As many of you know, Bang and Olufsen products aren’t cheap. A simple pair of speakers can set you back $16,000, so running out to buy matching B&O equipment just to use with your BeoTime isn’t justifiable.
The Bottom Line
BeoTime is probably the most stylish alarm clock I have ever set my eyes on. Its beautiful design will add elegance to any bedroom. I don’t mind paying extra for design and functionality, but since BeoTime only works with other Bang and Olufsen products I have trouble justifying the $420 price tag. Sure it’s great if you’re already a Bang and Olufsen collector, but for the rest of us, it’s just one expensive (beautiful) alarm clock. But a sick part of me still wants one.