Plus, too much phone time could be bad for your marriage. Bad news: Here’s how much your social media logins cost on the Dark Web. Also, how selfies could be a health risk and what’s up with AI hallucinations.
I'm using an alarm clock for the first time in over 10 years and it's great
Charging your phone overnight not only shortens battery life over time, but it can also be dangerous. Here’s how to safely charge your phone and avoid disaster.
While the all-in-one nature of your smartphone is great, you may want to stop using it as an alarm clock for waking up in the morning. Here’s why.
Here’s my story
I’ve been using cellphones since the late 90s. My first smartphone was a Samsung flip phone with a camera and internet capability.
It wasn’t until I got my first iPhone, the 4S in 2011 that I used a phone for more than just calls and texts. It was a camera, calculator, calendar, planner, flashlight, media player — you get the idea.
Among the most welcome functions was the alarm clock. To this day, I still use it to set reminders throughout the day. And up until recently, it helped me get up for work every morning.
Now I use an alarm clock and wish I had made the switch sooner. Here’s why:
- Blue light from your phone screen disturbs your sleep: Having an alarm clock means I don’t need to check my phone for the time in the middle of the night.
- Avoid doomscrolling: Keeping the phone out of reach reduces the temptation to endlessly scroll before bed or check notifications. Less screen time is always a good thing.
- Cellphones have been known to explode: Since I don’t need my phone to wake up anymore, I don’t keep it charging close by on the nightstand.
- Potential health risk: Cellphones emit radiation. Yet another reason not to spend the night with my phone close to my head.
Let’s take a look at a variety of alarm clocks to suit every taste and need.
The old fashioned
This throwback alarm clock is loud enough to wake even the heaviest sleepers. Just set the time and alarm with the analog dials and you’re good to go.
It runs on one AA battery, so there’s no need to wind it up (and no incessant ticking sound). This classic comes in a variety of colors to match any room or decor.
Warning: A frightening new reason to stay away from weight loss drugs sold online
When a dangerous or defective product is put on the market, a recall is usually issued to remove it. This can be done voluntarily by the manufacturer or seller, or it can be mandated by a government agency such as the FDA, CPSC and FSIS.