10.4: A simple alarm clock that plays an iTunes playlist

Apr 19, '06 07:09:00AM

Contributed by: detank

Tiger only hintI was looking for a way to use my computer as an alarm clock. (I don't like my local radio stations.) I checked out several of the software packages available, and none of them worked for me. I wanted something that would start up the computer and play a playlist from iTunes.

After some experimentation, I discovered a way to do this using Automator, iTunes, and the Energy Saver Preference panel. Plus it was free.

In Automator, create this workflow:

  1. Finder > Launch Application > iTunes
  2. iTunes > Get Specified iTunes Items > Select Desired Playlist
  3. iTunes > Play iTunes Playlist
Save the completed workflow as an application, and then switch to the Finder. Drag the saved Automator application onto the Dock, control-click on it in the Dock, and select Open at Login from the pop-up menu.

Now open the Energy Saver Preference Panel, click on Schedule, and set Start up or Wake to whatever time you want the alarm start playing.

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