6 chapters across the catalog
John C. Dvorak provides the "Tip of the Day," recommending the DreamSky Alarm Clock Radio as a reliable and affordable device. The $18 clock features an FM radio, temperature gauge, and battery backup, making it a practical alternative to using a smartphone as an alarm. The hosts suggest it as an ideal holiday stocking stuffer.
A technical tangent ensues regarding ham radio equipment and emergency communication. One host critiques the use of D-Star, calling it a "phony" product that real amateur radio operators dislike. They also discuss the reliability of battery-powered analog alarm clocks during power failures.
Adam Curry and John C. Dvorak open the session by discussing the end of Daylight Saving Time and the process of resetting clocks. Dvorak describes a sentimental alarm clock he uses that is modeled after an original orange iMac. The conversation touches on the mechanical nature of old "flippy" clocks and the automatic updates of modern digital devices.
One of the hosts recounts a morning mishap where an old-school alarm clock failed to go off due to a manual AM/PM setting error. The anecdote describes the physical sensation of waking up late and the subsequent rush to prepare for the show. The hosts joke about "balanced colons" and the reliability of modern versus legacy technology.
A software bug in the Apple iPhone caused alarms to fail globally on January 1st, 2011, with some devices not self-correcting until January 5th. Tech journalists are criticized for failing to perform a technical analysis of the clock synchronization error, instead relying on official corporate statements. The incident raises concerns about Apple's ability to perform silent over-the-air updates without user notification.
A widespread software glitch in the Apple iPhone 4 prevents non-recurring alarms from sounding on January 1 and 2, 2011. One host describes oversleeping after his device failed to trigger, leading to a debate regarding the reliability of smartphones versus traditional battery-backed alarm clocks. The discussion highlights Apple's perceived corporate arrogance and the tendency for modern users to rely on mobile devices for timekeeping.
