"Nintendo Alarmo Clock Launches Before GTA 6"

If you didn't have a Nintendo interactive alarm clock on your 2024 bingo card, you're not alone! The gaming giant has surprised fans with the launch of the "Nintendo Sound Clock: Alarmo," a $99 interactive alarm clock that promises to make waking up a more engaging experience. Alongside this innovative device, Nintendo has also announced a mysterious Switch Online playtest, adding to the excitement.

Nintendo Releases an Interactive Alarm Clock

Free Alarm Updates Coming Soon!

Nintendo's "Nintendo Sound Clock: Alarmo" isn't just any alarm clock. Priced at $99, it offers an immersive wake-up experience by responding to your movements with sounds from beloved Nintendo games like Mario, Zelda, and Splatoon. "Alarmo responds to your body’s movement with game sounds," Nintendo announced, "so you can feel like you’re waking up in the game world itself." And the best part? Additional alarm sounds inspired by other Nintendo games are coming soon, and they'll be free!

The Alarmo operates on a unique principle: it won't stop ringing until you get out of bed, turning the act of rising into a "brief victory fanfare." To use it, simply select a game, choose a scene, set your alarm time, and let Alarmo take over. While you can wave your hand in front of the clock to quiet it down temporarily, staying in bed too long will only make the alarm louder, encouraging you to start your day.

The Alarmo uses a "radio wave sensor" to detect your movements. According to Nintendo, it measures your distance and speed of movement using the reflection of radio waves. Tetsuya Akama, a Nintendo developer, highlighted its privacy benefits, stating, "The key feature is that it can recognize very subtle movements, and unlike cameras, it doesn't need to film videos, so privacy is better protected compared to cameras. Since it uses radio waves, it can be used in dark rooms and can detect movements even if there are obstacles, as long as the radio waves can pass through."

Nintendo Switch Online members in the United States and Canada have the exclusive opportunity to purchase Alarmo online via the My Nintendo Store before it becomes available to the general public. Additionally, all visitors to the Nintendo New York store can buy the Nintendo Sound Clock: Alarmo in person at launch, while supplies last.

Nintendo Announces Switch Online Playtest

Applications Begin October 10!

In another exciting development, Nintendo has announced a Switch Online playtest. Applications for this event will open from October 10 at 8:00 AM PT / 11:00 AM ET until October 15 at 7:59 AM PT / 10:59 AM ET. The playtest is part of a new feature for the Nintendo Switch Online service and aims to select up to 10,000 participants. Those outside Japan will be chosen on a first-come-first-serve basis, with applications closing early if the participant limit is reached.

To be eligible, participants must meet the following criteria:

• You must have an active Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack membership as of Wednesday, 10/09/2024 03:00 p.m. PDT.
• You must be at least 18 years of age as of Wednesday, 10/09/2024 03:00 p.m. PDT.
• Your Nintendo Account must be registered to one of the following countries: Japan, The United States of America, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, or Spain.

The Switch Online playtest itself will run from October 23, 2024, at 6:00 PM PT / 9:00 PM ET to November 5, 2024, at 4:59 PM PT / 7:59 PM ET, providing participants with ample time to engage with the new feature and provide valuable feedback to Nintendo.