UNIQLO has a very pleasant new free app on the market that replaces the typical hard morning alarm clock jitter – who the hell really likes being woken up by an alarm clock? Launched yesterday, the UNIQLO Wake-Up app, available for the iPhone and Android platforms, is a pleasant calming wake-up “alarm” with tone and music set by Cornelius (who I am pretty sure was on the 1997 ‘Respect is Burning Tour’ with Daft Punk) and Yoko Kanno – play the video below for a sense of it. As well, alongside, a soft spoken voice that tells you how the day will look weather-wise.

Seriously, this could make some people nicer in the morning, including myself.

Download now for the iPhone or Android.

Some screens from the app on the following page.

Serious business from electronic music icon, Jean Michel Jarre. His high-end audio company, Jarre,  is unleashing a heavy series of iPod and iPad related docks and music systems, including two affordable desktop models, the AeroPad One ($658)  and AeroPad Two ($920) (we say affordable as their AeroSystem One reaches well over $15,000).

They look beautiful seem to house enough power to fill a small room. The difference in the One vs. Two comes down to size and mono vs. stereo speakers. Check the remote which is just as lovely as the stands. Easily two of the better looking Apple dock systems we have seen in some time.

Many more look at the Jarre Apple docks on the following page.

Here’s a stark and pragmatic iPhone case from Incase. Rubberized for grip with square corners for extra armor when your glowing social-portal tumbles from your jittery hands, this case comes in four colors: pink, black, grey and the mysterious “frost.” Not much more to say. If you love, love, love your phone here’s a good way to keep it safe and styling. Pick on up online.

More looks after the jump…

Snapping on an iPhone case is the easiest way to “modify” and make that iPhone  unique to you. The folks at Sled Handmade Goods take it a step further with their full-on iPhone backs, which is serious business for most since it requires you to remove the actual glass backing on your phone (we’re not sure how this plays with your service plans). But the end result is a beautiful well finished product that is truly unique to your device.

Choose from various leathers and birch wood backings. Priced from $80 – $120.

See more looks at the options for new backs from Sled on the following page.

Sometimes we miss the cricks in the neck you can only get from pinching an actual telephone handset in between your shoulder and ear. Hands-free headsets are great—in that your hands are truly free, right up through your shoulder—but sometimes we need reminders that we are still crappy mortals susceptible to the discomforts that should come with ridiculous levels of convenience.

Enter Native Union and their Pop Phone. A series of handsets in many colors that plug right into any cellphone, tablet or computer to give you the age-old sensation of talking on a telephone. We must also be missing untangling those epic knots that build up in the spiral cords, because these things are looking good.

More looks in our gallery…

For those of us still clinging to our Blackberrys, this little bit of engineering magic makes us want to get an iPhone even more than an actual iPhone itself does. You see, this little aluminum landscape stand for your iPhone 4 or 4S clips on over the speaker and amplifies the sound without using any electricity.

While not as totally mind-blowing as our enthusiasm seconds ago might infer, the pocket sized wonder still performs well enough in the video below—providing a noteworthy mid-range boost to a nauseatingly saccharine song—that we would scurry out and pick one up. But this being a Kickstarter offering, it needs $20,000 in pledges by April 20th, or it won’t go into production. Hint, hint.

More looks in our gallery…

Highsnobiety points out a new legacy iPhone 4/4s case that gives your handheld the look of an old school fishtank – the Macintosh 128k computer. Now de Keiser and Les Forges MDK bring us the case and front panel sticker. All we need now is a theme manager for ios (I’m talking native theme manager) but Apple may well want us to forget those old days. Respect on the look.

Jack White’s Third Man Records delivers this iPhone case molded from old seven-inch records with the help of Griffin. What makes them interesting is that they use actual seven inches from the Third Man catalog as pressed at Nashville’s United Record Pressing. Each record is then die-cut and molded into the iPhone case form. Find them for $30 over on Third Man Records.

More looks after the click.

There are a great number of products on the market today to extend the sound of your iPod and iPhone and they run the range from low to high. We bring you a selection of nine iPod/iPhone speakers, amplifiers and stereo dock connectors – all meant to output and at times, improve the audio experience of your portable device. From some simple $39 headphone amplifiers for your iPod, to stand alone $800 powered speakers, we showcase our favorites from 2011.

They all make strong gift buys for the holidays. Someone will love your more for thinking of them.

View our “Gift Ideas” for improved stereo sound from your iPod and iPhone after the click.

Another one from our friends at the CH: You’ll note today that Apple lifted their media embargo on the new iPhone 4s.  Most reviews are positive with focus in on the speed and power of the new phone. But to all those sitting on the iPhone 4 (including this writer), you still have one of the most powerful devices out there for mobility and communication… but you should buy a case.

Yes, I have dropped my iPhone and shattered that fragile glass screen. Yes, Applecare did me right by offering that un-official one-time courtesy replacement. And yes, the Apple Genius rep left me with one very important message: “buy a case.” Problem is I hate most cases, except maybe this leather sleeve from Slovenia’s Calypso. Their made from Italian leather and form fit to slip the iPhone 4 and 4s nicely into place. They’re priced at US$133, which is well less than the normal price for day the LV or Goyard varieties.

More look after the click.