Sony's Dash Information Alarm Clock supports apps, Wi-Fi

With smartphone alarm clock apps on the rise, the place of physical alarm clocks in 2011 is pretty uncertain at best. But Sony doesn't seem to have gotten that memo. Its latest product is the Dash Information Alarm Clock, a Wi-Fi-enabled sleep disruptor that takes cues from both smartphones and tablets.

Capable of running a variety of apps, the alarm clock can display news, sports scores, weather, and even content from social networks on its 7" touch screen. All of that information comes via the device's Wi-Fi connection, which makes the Dash feel more like a tablet and less like the LED-equipped bit of plastic that most of us have grown to despise.

Best, the clock features a built-in battery, allowing you to move it around your house without losing power. But with a battery life of 60 mintes, you probably won't want to keep it unplugged for long.

Slightly less great is the device's price. At $149, the Dash Information Alarm Clock probably won't replace your current alarm clock, and definitely won't take the place of your smartphone app. But it probably does give a pretty good indication of where the alarm clock is set to go in the future.