THE STORY

Recommended by a reader, we all need an extra boost to prise us from our pits on a Monday morning, so an Android clock that’s got the lot? Perfect timing…

THE EXPERIENCE

For many years I loathed the sound of my smartphone’s generic alarm – a klaxon that would rip me from the arms of Morpheus in countless mystery hotel rooms as I plied my awful trade around the world. But had I been armed with this little alarm beauty, people may have suffered the brunt of my naked aggression over the breakfast table considerably less.

Firstly, it’s undeniably good looking; and I always like to wake up to something good looking. Secondly, it’s absolutely feature-packed – there are unlimited alarms, the option to be woken by your own music, increasing volume, snooze options, repeat alarms, night clock, weather updates and, should you so wish, you can even post social media updates from it.

All of which gives more alarm setting options than dreamt off. But then we come to the actual process of re-entering the waking world. Yes, you can press the Off button, yes you can shake your phone to dismiss the din, or – wait for it – you can even opt to solve puzzles to break your brain in right from the offset.

THE BOTTOM LINE

Smart, slick, and even more flexible than a Chinese State Circus contortionist, Alarm Clock Ultra is exactly that: ultra. With soothing sounds to help you slip into sleep and a world of options to wake up to, it may not be the most glamorous app proposition, but for anyone who’s ever overslept while away or spent the day in an absolute rage at the manner in which they were wrenched awake, this is an app essential.

Additional information

Current version: 1.2
Requires Android 2.1 and up
Download the Alarm Clock Ultra app from Google Play

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