An iPod Dock Worth Docking Yourself On

Sat, 10 Jan 2009 02:28:36 GMT

By Pratik Mahbubani

Brookstone

$0 $0$0 Product: iHomeiH41 Swivel Alarm Clock$0 Buy it?: $79.95each at Brookstone or www.brookstone.com$0 Best Uses: iPodLoudspeaker, alarm clock, iPod charger, movie “theater”$0 Overall Rating: 4/5stars $0$0 From the day I got my iPod Touch, Ihave been avidly against buying an official “iPod licensed” dock. My impressionhas always been that it was a waste of money to get an iHome when I could getcheap loudspeakers that work with both my iPod and my Zune. After trying thisout, I realized that I was completely off base, and believe it or not, I planto buy one next time I wander the mall. $0$0What is it? How is it different from other iHomes?$0 As an iHome, this device plugs into an outlet and acts as aloudspeaker, playing music from the connected iPod while charging it. Thequality is pretty high, and the maximum volume is loud, although not as loud asa full-fledged stereo system. You can also turn it sideways (the clock displayrotates) and watch the videos on your iPod. $0$0 This comes with a remote that you can use to change thesong, volume, or alarm/snooze settings. That remote really comes in handy evenif you are walking around and cleaning your room, or lying down right next toyour iPod. I have found that the best way to use it is to keep it between yourpillows at night and use it to snooze the alarm (without even turning!) thenext morning. $0$0 $0$0 As for the alarm clock, it wakes you up by playing musicfrom your iPod. If the iPod is not connected, it simply buzzes. The great thingabout these high-class alarm clocks is that regardless of what sound is set toplay, it slowly gets louder over time, instead of just blasting from the startand startling you out of a deep slumber. $0$0 Some Drawbacks… $0$0 While this dock does everything it is supposed to do,deciding if you want to buy it all depends on how much you value your comfort,and if that value exceeds $80 =P $0$0 I also wish that the alarm clock was better organized. Itworks perfectly, but only plays music at the volume you were last listening at.Personally, I listen to podcasts quietly before I sleep, so I need to rememberto turn the volume back up for the alarm every night. It also only has onealarm, though its various snooze features make up for its lack of a second one. $0$0 My advice: $0$0 While the price is a bit on the steep side, its “luxurious,yet unnecessary” benefits are so useful they make life easier, so this dock is amust-have if you have the money. $0$0 $0$0 A special thanks to the veryhelpful people at Brookstone who made testing this product possible. $0$0$0

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An iPod Dock Worth Docking Yourself On