Sleep.FM - Wake Up with the Web
A New Approach to Morning Routines with Sleep.FM
Few individuals genuinely enjoy being jolted awake by a harsh alarm sound each day. Imagine instead being roused by a gentle notification detailing the current weather conditions, a flight delay, or even news of a canceled meeting – granting you the luxury of extra sleep.
This concept drives the development of Sleep.FM, a unique social alarm clock. Concerns about internet connectivity interrupting your alarm are addressed; Sleep.FM functions offline by utilizing a built-in day and date alarm, pre-loaded within the browser. Simply access the page online initially, and it will continue to operate even with a lost connection. Alarm settings can even be adjusted while offline!
Alternative Alarm Solutions
For those seeking a straightforward, loud alarm clock, the web application Kuku Klok is worth exploring, as previously highlighted on our site.
Exploring the Features of Sleep.FM
Sleep.FM is currently in its beta phase, with numerous features undergoing testing and refinement. However, the core functionality – displaying the time, date, and current weather – is readily available for immediate use.
The alarm information is continuously repeated until manually deactivated. This design is intentional, as the user’s computer may be positioned away from the bed, necessitating a physical trip to turn off the alarm. This eliminates the temptation to hit the snooze button repeatedly!
Consider this video to visualize a practical application of Sleep.FM. (Please note: due to technical limitations, this is a link to a YouTube video.)
An Interview with Ryan Spahn, CEO of Sleep.FM
We recently had the pleasure of interviewing Ryan Spahn, the CEO of Sleep.FM, to gain insights into their innovative website.
Mysticgeek: Could you describe your role at Sleep.FM and how long you’ve been involved with the project?
I serve as the founder and web designer. Alongside Muthu, our web developer, and Susannah, who provides the voice-over work, we’ve been dedicating part-time effort to the site since November 2006. This past summer, I transitioned to working on the project full-time, thanks to Sleep.FM being selected as a company within the DreamIt Ventures program – a Philadelphia-based technology incubator offering business guidance and resources.
Mysticgeek: What was your professional background prior to launching Sleep.FM?
I hold a degree in the Recording Industry, with a concentration in Music Business, from Middle Tennessee State University. Following graduation, I worked within the music industry before moving into sales roles at telecommunications companies. Lacking a background in coding or software development, my ideas remained concepts for a considerable period. However, in 2006, inspired by the success stories of YouTube and Digg’s founders, I decided to acquire new skills in web design and pursue one of my concepts. I then engaged Muthu through a “rent a coder” platform to handle the web development.
Mysticgeek: What is your long-term vision for Sleep.FM? How do you envision its evolution in the coming years?
Our ultimate goal is for Sleep.FM to become the preferred and logical reason for millions worldwide to choose an Internet alarm clock over traditional methods. Imagine waking up to notifications about canceled or delayed flights, school closures, or exam postponements, allowing you to enjoy extra rest! Receiving weather or traffic updates upon waking can also help you prepare for the day. Furthermore, Sleep.FM could deliver birthday wishes and other personalized messages. As Internet protocols advance (like IPv6), Sleep.FM will be capable of alerting you to potentially life-threatening situations, such as a severe tornado warning. Currently, Sleep.FM offers the ability to wake up to a natural voice announcing the day, date, time, and current weather conditions. Future development will incorporate the features mentioned above and more! Eventually, Sleep.FM will be accessible through devices tailored to individual lifestyles, including iPhones, Chumby devices, digital picture frames, and LCD TVs.
Mysticgeek: The female voice used for the alarm is very pleasant. Are there plans to offer additional voice options?
Yes, we are actively working on expanding the voice options. Susannah also extends her gratitude for your kind compliment regarding her voice-over work!
Mysticgeek: What user customization options are being considered? Will users be able to incorporate custom sounds, messages, or MP3s?
We are currently evaluating the possibility of allowing users to integrate their preferred MP3s with Sleep.FM’s voice announcements.
Mysticgeek: Is there anything else you would like to share with our audience?
Absolutely. For anyone with ideas they’ve always wanted to bring to life, I strongly encourage you to take the leap and start-up! It’s an incredibly rewarding experience. We also value your feedback, so please connect with us on Twitter or utilize the feedback tab on our website!
Mysticgeek: Thank you for taking the time to answer our questions!
Sleep.FM extends its appreciation to HowToGeek for this opportunity.
Visit Sleep.FM to experience waking up to the web.