Endothermal Systems has unveiled CinderClock, a novel alarm clock conceptualized as a self-sufficient desktop computing unit. This device aims to liberate individuals from smartphone dependence during their sleeping and waking hours. Measuring 140 × 160 × 170 mm, the CinderClock integrates a 3.12-inch monochrome OLED screen, a responsive joystick, several tactile buttons, a prominent 100 mm arcade button, and easily removable battery components. Furthermore, it boasts local audio storage and environmental monitoring capabilities, functioning autonomously without requiring connections to mobile applications or recurring service subscriptions.
The genesis of this innovation stems from the creators' personal dissatisfaction with relying on smartphones for alarm functions. Their objective was to reimagine the fundamental purpose of an alarm clock. This led to the establishment of three guiding principles for the CinderClock: it must operate independently, its user interface should be mechanically driven, and its primary internal components ought to be modular and easily replaceable. The device is powered by an ESP32-S3 processor and a DS3231 real-time clock, with alarm sounds stored on a removable microSD card in WAV format. An integrated BME280 sensor provides data on temperature, humidity, and atmospheric pressure, while a light sensor automatically adjusts screen brightness to match ambient room conditions. All electronic modules are meticulously mounted on a through-hole main board, featuring expansion headers that expose the device's buses for potential future enhancements and modifications.
Advanced Programmable Alarms for Disconnected Mornings
The CinderClock's alarm system distinguishes itself through its sophisticated scheduling capabilities, allowing for highly customized wake-up routines. Users can set alarms based on specific weekdays, complex intervals, duty cycles (on/off periods), and even local sunrise and sunset times. A weekly schedule might encompass patterns like every weekday or alternate Tuesdays, while daily cycles can be configured for events every three days or two days on followed by two days off. The device calculates sunrise and sunset times internally using user-provided geographic coordinates, ensuring these features remain functional without any internet connection.
The interface of the CinderClock is meticulously crafted for intuitive understanding of these intricate rules. Alarm lists are presented in clear, natural language, and each alarm's editor displays its next activation time. A comprehensive calendar view allows users to visualize scheduled alarms over an entire month, providing a convenient way to verify that recurring settings behave as intended. Navigation and value adjustments are handled by the joystick, while four dedicated buttons offer functions for action, backing out, confirming selections, and accessing the menu. The oversized arcade button mirrors the action control, intentionally designed for easy and decisive alarm dismissal, eliminating the need to fumble for a tiny button or squint at a screen when half-asleep. Snoozing can also be customized, requiring multiple button presses or specific joystick sequences to ensure a conscious decision rather than an automatic, groggy reaction.
CinderClock: A Microcomputer for Your Bedside
Beyond its primary alarm functions, the CinderClock offers a suite of additional utilities, including timers, a stopwatch, Pomodoro sessions for focused work, ambient sound modes, animation displays, an hourly chime, and a collection of eight simple games. All audio files are stored locally on the removable card. The clock can also establish a temporary WiFi hotspot for transferring sounds or installing firmware updates. This WiFi connectivity is intentionally limited, remaining off by default and only manually activated by the user. Firmware can be updated via a local portal without requiring an account or external server. While the device can connect to home WiFi for optional updates, it does not automatically check for them, reinforcing its standalone philosophy.
A notable aspect of Endothermal Systems' approach is their transparent documentation of the CinderClock's development journey. This includes not only successful design choices but also detailed accounts of challenges encountered during prototyping. For instance, the audio system underwent several iterations before a robust direct WAV playback solution was achieved, addressing initial stuttering issues and memory fragmentation. Similarly, the initial single-piece 3D-printed casing proved impractical, leading to a more efficient two-part design with a sliding dovetail connection. This candidness about design evolution underscores a commitment to repairability, providing insights into component selection, board architecture, and plans to release PCB files, enclosure models, and a bill of materials alongside the firmware and documentation.