In the Mac shareware market, there are a number of software alarm clocks that use your iTunes music to wake you, but no app comes close to Embraceware’s Awaken in terms of interface design and functionality. (Wow, that sounded like an ad. Anyway.) Version 4 was released today, and it’s got some welcome improvements.
First, there’s the obligatory Leopard support and redesgined UI. The underlying code has also been entirely rewritten. As for tangible features, the most exciting to me is the ability to play a sound or run a script as an alarm — previously, the only option was to play an iTunes playlist. There are also new fullscreen modes and color customization (everybody likes colors, right?). Finally, there’s better support for both iTunes and the Apple Remote.
Overall, this seems like a nice meaty major release. Awaken still costs an affordable $12.95, and upgrades are free for life. Compatible with OS X 10.5 and 10.4, may contain traces of peanuts.
I personally like how at their website (click on the "Awaken" hyperLink above), one of their photos is of Awaken on a MacBook Air. Obviously they superimposed the image, but you gotta give them credit for the classy image.
Hey guys - thanks for the great review of our Awaken app. It was a very nice surprise to see this morning. To anyone who has questions or comments for us about Awaken our support team loves to hear and respond. You can find our email address on our support page.
Oh... THAT'S why they gave away version 3 in the macheist bundle. At least wait a month... don't rub it in our faces... sheesh.
@Joel - Awaken 4 was on MacHeist... And besides, when you purchase Awaken your license is valid for all future versions - whether it be 4.1 or 6.0... It looks like you're trying to say we offered an old version and was going to charge for a new version. Check facts please :)
I too bought Awaken with the MacHeist bundle. I was pleased to see that my key was still valid. However, after updating and re-creating my alarms, I was not awoken this morning. Grrr. I was a little late for work. Probable a user malfunction, but I'd prefer to blame it on the software! ;-)
I'm really glad for the update though...assuming it works as I expect.
I too bought Awaken with the MacHeist bundle. I was pleased to see that my key was still valid. However, after updating and re-creating my alarms, I was not awoken this morning. Grrr. I was a little late for work. Probable a user malfunction, but I'd prefer to blame it on the software! ;-)
I'm really glad for the update though...assuming it works as I expect.