Product Review: Moshi, the alarm clock that talks back

She’s no “Hal,” but I fear and respect her just the same. No, this isn’t just a throwaway reference to the evil supercomputer in “2001: A Space Odyssey”; there are a few key similarities between SNS International’s Moshi, a voice-controlled alarm clock, and HAL 9000, the aforementioned all-too-human piece of technology.

For instance, Moshi is able to take your commands and talk back to you; she has a pleasant voice that’s not at all unnerving or “iron”-sounding (unlike most devices equipped with speech capability); and, oh yeah, she’s in on a nefarious plot to kill you and your spaceship’s crewmates.

Oh, wait, nope ... that was just a dream I had the first night I spent with her. (Ha!)

In all reality, the Moshi alarm clock is one of those devices where, once you see how positively it impacts your life, you kind of wonder why no one thought to make something of its sort in the past.

But how, Matt, could a suave, lightweight machine possibly improve your life by simply telling you the time?

Ah, but Moshi is more than your average alarm clock. You see, my friends, this colorful talking doohickey actually allows you to operate it by barking orders at it.

How many times have you awaken from a wholly entertaining dream (or unfortunately terrifying night tremor about government-controlled “telescreens”...) to find out, Oh, hey, I’m still on Earth, safe in my bed?

At least once a week, right? Anyway, what do you usually do once you’ve come to said revelation? You look to see what time it is, of course. But oftentimes you’re so drowsy it takes you a couple minutes to bring yourself to rub your eyes to accurately assess what time it is. (This is especially true for those of us with poor eyesight.)

Well, that’s just one of the problems addressed with this product. By simply saying “Hello Moshi,” followed by “Time,” your sweet new fembot — err, alarm clock — will advise you of the time.

Not impressed? Moshi is also capable of telling you the date and temperature, turning on her disco-party “high beams” in case you need a quick night light and don’t want to walk over to the light switch and, what I’m most appreciative of, playing one of three “sleep sounds” to usher you into dreamland. Beats counting sheep and/or velociraptors, doesn’t it?

And, despite her gentle, lulling voice, Moshi has no problem lighting a fire under your “bum” in the morningtime: This quasi-futuristic time-telling device is equipped with a steady, pulsating tone to get you out of bed and on your way. Not only that, but Moshi proceeds to tell you the date, day of the week and temperature after waking you — not a bad way to start the day if you ask me.

Best of all, Moshi has a mighty fine range. My bedroom just happens to be the largest room in our house, and I was able to activate this “space alarm clock” from every corner.

Now I’m just waiting for her to turn on me in my sleep....

NEWS TO USE
Moshi is available for less than $40 from SNS International. Visit the company’s Web site, www.snsinternational.com, for a product demo or to see the different models.

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