Time, time, time is on my wall, yes it is

Why travel with an alarm clock when cell phones offer dozens of apps for jazzing up this mundane function? Even if your phone alarm clock performs reliably (mine does not always do so, especially when I have used other apps after setting the alarm), the newest Electrohome EEAC 475 USB Alarm Clock Radio may earn a place in your luggage. Here's what I like: the 1.2-inch blue LED display with four dimming modes and an option to view just the time, or cycle through the time, year, month/day and indoor temperature, the nifty 180-degree swivel projection function that beams the time in bright red onto the wall or ceiling (there's even a little focus adjustment wheel, and yes, you can turn the projection function off); the built in USB port for charging your smart phone without the need for an additional outlet, the included replaceable 3v lithium battery power back-up (your time, date and alarm settings will automatically be restored after power loss. Each of the dual alarms, which wake you up to a buzzer or the radio, can be to go off at the same time every day, only weekends, or to skip weekends. At 7.5 inches by 3.1 inches by three inches deep, this is not the tiniest take-along, but it weighs in at only 1.25 pounds.

Electrohome USB Alarm Clock Radio with swivel projection (EEAC475) is $35 at www.electrohome.com.

This story was originally published April 8, 2015 at 5:00 PM with the headline "Time, time, time is on my wall, yes it is."