Users continue reporting that alarms on Google Pixel phones fail to sound, with the Clock app displaying a message that the alarm 'didn't fire for an unknown reason.' The problem has been documented since at least 2021, and though Google previously said it addressed the issue, new reports keep surfacing, including one case where an overheated device blocked the alarm and another where alarms fired silently despite the phone not being on silent mode.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-25
Google is rolling out its Smart Wake alarm function, first introduced on the Pixel Watch 5, to earlier generations of its smartwatch lineup. The feature uses sleep-tracking data to adjust when an alarm sounds, aiming to wake users during lighter sleep phases rather than at a fixed time.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-09-16
Apple's iOS 27 update adds a new toggle in Settings under Sounds & Haptics called Match Ringtone Volume, found in the Alarms & Timers section. Turning it off reveals a separate slider so alarm and timer volume no longer changes when you adjust your ringtone volume, and a similar option exists for system alerts like notifications and keyboard sounds.
engadget.com
· 2026-09-07
A designer has created the CinderClock, a 3D-printed alarm clock featuring a large arcade-style button for snoozing. The device is built to make hitting snooze once simple and satisfying, but deliberately harder to repeat, discouraging users from lingering in bed and reaching for their phones.
fastcompany.com
· 2026-09-07
Clucky is a new iPhone alarm app founded by former Fanatics engineer Adrian Angelo Abelarde that forces users to complete tasks like math problems, push-ups, or an AI camera challenge before the alarm can be silenced. It offers sound options ranging from a crowing rooster to gentle chimes, plus a group feature called 'Nest' or 'Flock' letting friends hold each other accountable for waking up together. The app is free to download with a $39.99 annual pro subscription.
techcrunch.com
· 2026-09-05
A review piece examines Google's preinstalled Clock app and argues it lags behind specialized alternatives like Alarmy, Chrono and NFC Alarm Clock despite its wide reach on Android phones. The author's top request is adding task-based alarm challenges—math problems, CAPTCHAs, QR or NFC scans, or sliding puzzles—that force users to physically engage before an alarm can be dismissed.
androidauthority.com
· 2026-08-31
Android phones let users set alarm volume independently from media, ringtone, and notification volumes, which can cause alarms to stay quiet even when other sounds are audible. Users can adjust alarm volume through the expanded volume menu or via Settings > Sound & vibration > Volume, and should also check Do Not Disturb settings to ensure alarms aren't being silenced.
engadget.com
· 2026-08-28
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