Deafalarm
Consumer and social
alarm app
SHOW HN2014
170points
139comments
#131of 2,272 in 2014
Top 6%of 2014 by points
How HN took it
CuriousMostly questions and neutral comments
14 positive, 33 neutral or asking, 2 mixed, 12 critical, out of 61 comments about the project. Thread score +0.07.
Idea: 10 for, 5 againstExecution: 0 for, 3 againstPerformance: 0 for, 2 againstPricing: 1 for, 1 againstDesign: 0 for, 1 against
The thread, comment by comment
Each row is a top-level comment and its replies, in HN's order. Select a cell to open that comment on HN.
positive neutral or mixed critical about another commenter or something else the maker
What HN said
What people liked
Useful idea for deaf people and heavy sleepers
From 3 comments
I'm not deaf, and I have virtually no experience building things specifically for those that are, but this seems like a great idea. Nice work!
fredleblanc on HNThis is so useful. I am an extremely deep sleeper - when I do that is - who never hears his multiple alarms. God bless you.
ycmike on HNAs someone who's deaf (not Deaf) thank you for making it. Sadly, the vibration the iPhone makes isn't strong enough for me but this is an awesome idea and I hope you succeed with…
roberthahn on HN
Clear product page
From 1 comment
In light of a recent HN discussion on the incomprehensibility of many product pages and "Show" posts[1], I think it's worth noting that this is a very clear page that lets me…
ggchappell on HN
Objections
Phone vibration too weak to wake deaf users
From 1 comment
As someone who's deaf (not Deaf) thank you for making it. Sadly, the vibration the iPhone makes isn't strong enough for me but this is an awesome idea and I hope you succeed with…
roberthahn on HN
Not a substitute for certified fire alarms
From 3 comments
In the US, visual alarms are pretty much standard under all the life safety codes for commercial buildings including apartments.[1] When they are not provided, both ADA and the…
brudgers on HNNot sleeping with one's iPhone is far more common, despite the belovedness of Apple products. In design terms an alarm strobe has removed everything unnecessary for its purpose…
brudgers on HNyou are right that you don't see them on older building but there are a range of other off the shelf products that can integrate with a smoke detector, phone, doorbell to flash…
sfall on HN
Liability risk if it fails
From 2 comments
This sounds like a lawsuit waiting to happen. I think it's a great idea, but at 2.99 I don't think it's going to be profitable enough to take on the lawsuit risk.
sbjustin on HNIf it doesn't work and someone is injured or killed.
evan_ on HN
Phone under pillow or in pocket may be muffled or not carried
From 2 comments
Not sleeping with one's iPhone is far more common, despite the belovedness of Apple products. In design terms an alarm strobe has removed everything unnecessary for its purpose…
brudgers on HNThanks! It uses around a quarter of your battery overnight. Maybe less. The ideal place is somewhere close to you, like under your pillow or in your pocket, but pillows and…
alexvr on HN
Requests
Android version
From 2 comments
Awesome app, can see this coming in handy... you need to promote this and also have an android client before a clone comes out. :) How is the battery consumption if it runs in…
thejosh on HN"...listening out for loud and repetitive noises like fire alarms, and vibrates to wake you up when it hears anything similar" Would that include dog barking? And do you plan to…
befuddled on HN
Visual cue via camera flash
From 2 comments
Great idea. OP: Why not allow the app to use the camera flash as well? I (am not deaf) would prefer to have it on my desk so it can actually listen rather than under a pillow…
andyhmltn on HNThanks. Everyone seems to want a visual cue as well. I'll definitely look into using the flash!
alexvr on HN
Support for wearable or Bluetooth vibration device
From 3 comments
You may want to consider adding Pebble support -- vibrations on my wrist are way more noticeable than vibrations from my phone on my bed.
cbhl on HNWhat about a specialized device that operates off of low energy bluetooth for communicating to the iphone? Something like this could be built with Arduino or Raspberry Pi. John…
ryanhuff on HNI like the idea, and the objective it aims at fulfilling, I am not aware of the US regulations, but I think if you can hack a wristband like wearable gadget to work with it…
prateek_mir on HN
Train app on specific sounds like doorbell
From 1 comment
As a hearing-impaired user, I'd actually love something like this if I could "train" it to specific sounds, like my doorbell. Since my phone is almost always in my pocket or hand…
sdrothrock on HN
Questions
How much battery does it use overnight
From 1 comment
Awesome app, can see this coming in handy... you need to promote this and also have an android client before a clone comes out. :) How is the battery consumption if it runs in…
thejosh on HN
Why not use the iPhone's built-in vibrating alarm
From 2 comments
Why not set a vibrating alarm on your phone directly...?
blux on HNI'm confused. iPhones have an alarm clock already, and you can already set it to vibrate. Why do I need this app? (Serious question. I'm hard of hearing, and I do this with my…
Jemaclus on HN
Would it detect dogs barking or other sounds
From 1 comment
"...listening out for loud and repetitive noises like fire alarms, and vibrates to wake you up when it hears anything similar" Would that include dog barking? And do you plan to…
befuddled on HN
Alternatives named
Vibrating bed shaker alarm clocks such as Clarity and Sonic Alert
From 3 comments
Bed shaking alarms http://www.walmart.com/ip/Clarity-Alarm-Clock-With-Bed-Shaker-And-Lamp-Flasher/10715040
aestra on HNThere are a number of such products, the most popular are probably from Sonic Alert - http://www.sonicalert.com/Alarm-Clocks-s/1819.htm I recently discovered Bellman & Symfon, a…
burntwater on HNThis is the one that I have: http://www.headsetexperts.com/clarity_601_p/601.htm I've had mine for years; I'm surprised they're still making it - I've gotten used to the 'cult of…
roberthahn on HN
Bellman & Symfon wireless smoke-detector-linked alarms
From 1 comment
There are a number of such products, the most popular are probably from Sonic Alert - http://www.sonicalert.com/Alarm-Clocks-s/1819.htm I recently discovered Bellman & Symfon, a…
burntwater on HN
Nest smoke detector
From 2 comments
You're welcome, and thank you for the comment. I noticed this as well; I'm definitely searching a way to make the vibration more noticeable. Someone else suggested abandoning the…
alexvr on HNYeah, I think Nest is actually doing something similar with their smoke detector, which is great.
alexvr on HN
Built-in iPhone LED flash alerts
From 1 comment
iOS has a built-in accessibility setting to flash the camera LED for alerts and calls: http://www.cnet.com/how-to/ios-5-tip-how-to-enable-led-flash-alerts/ (Anecdotally, I don't…
dbloom on HN