A multi-tasking clock radio for iPod lovers

Opening
Ever since buying an iPod Nano I have been using iTunes and listening to my music library with a new sense of interest. However, the most frustrating thing was that I couldn’t bring the music to my bedroom unless I was wearing headphones or had my computer running, with its noisy fans and bright screens. I was also looking for a way to wake up to my own music mixes, instead of the garbage that is on the radio. All of these needs drew me to the iHome.


Design
The iHome comes in black or white. It is about the same size as a standard clock/radio. Most functions are controlled by back-lit amber buttons in the center-top portion of the unit, just in front of the dock. The front panel features a large LCD screen, backlit in a gentle blue. The bass drivers are on the back of the unit and appear as two deep holes on either side of the rear panel. The forward-facing speakers are silver screens. Volume and adjustment knobs lie on either side of the docking port. They are actually flat discs that you spin. Some users don’t like this and have stated a preference for something a bit easier to grab. I actually like the flush design because it give the unit cleaner lines. And speaking of cleanliness, I should mention that the black case really attracts fingerprints, versus the white.


Features
The iHome serves as an iPod dock, speaker system, and clock radio. It has several conveniences built-in that make it a good bridge between a portable stereo and a clock radio. The iHome features a large brightness-adjustable screen which is very easy to interpret through its use of icons and large, friendly text. Not only is it easy to program the time and alarm functions, it will probably be set correctly right out of the box since it ships with two AA batteries from the factory. All I had to do was select my time-zone, using the switch on the back and I was up and running. The fact that the iHome uses battery back-up means it can be simply unplugged and moved to any part of the house so you can enjoy your music.


The iHome also has a Daylight Savings Time switch on the back. You simply toggle it on or off at the appropriate time. The iHome can also accommodate every model of iPod and comes with the necessary dock adaptors. The iPod Shuffle has to be plugged in through the “line in” port on the back. Also included are an AM antenna, and its stand. The FM antenna is simple a length of wire that protrudes from the rear of the unit. It’s probably my only complaint with the overall design.


My iHome also came with a remote. Some stores carry the iHome without the remote and you have to order it separately. I am not sure why this happens. As it stands, the remote is an excellent feature and I highly recommend you read my section where I explain where I bought the unit.


Where to buy
I researched the Best Buy site and Apple.com and opted to go with Apple.com because they offered an instant $30 rebate and free shipping. The unit also came with a remote. Most stores are selling this unit for $100 dollars right now and you can probably find it for cheaper. Apple shipped my unit the day I ordered it and I had it in four days.


Strong points
I love this unit. It is so easy to use that I didn’t even need the instruction manual. I had it up and running in about five minutes or less. Having a remote is very important since you can pretty much control the entire unit from across the room. You can even use it to activate the snooze function. I like the unit’s style and the sound quality is pretty good. It is certainly not able to compete with the audiophile-brand docks, but then again, those docks can’t tell you the time. The iHome has a battery back-up and will switch to a buzzer mode to wake you if the power goes out, or if your iPod malfunctions. The unit’s sleep function will slightly decrease the volume of the song before shutting the iPod or radio off.


Shortcomings
As I’ve said before, some users may not like the flat volume and adjust knobs. For some reason you cannot set the volume at which your iPod plays at if you use it for the alarm. The central buttons are a bit narrow and the snooze button is long and thin. I sometimes don’t hit it on the first try. You still have to manually control song selection on your iPod’s click-wheel unless you have a remote. There are also no bass, treble, or balance adjustment knobs. I really can’t fault iHome because this is a clock, not a home stereo. The FM antenna is simple a loop of wire dangling from the rear of the unit. The AC adaptor has one of those wall-wart transformers. Some reviews I read stated that the unit had a “gradual” awakening feature. They’re wrong.


How it works in real-life
It works quite well. It’s easy to program and while it is a bit larger than the average clock-radio, it allowed me to get rid of the old boom-box I had next to my bed, update my old clock-radio, and enjoy my own music while reading in bed. I still don’t like the fact that I can’t set the iPod’s volume a bit lower while waking up, but the convenience that the unit has brought to my bedside more than outweighs this fact. I’ve been using the iHome for two weeks now and completely enjoy it. 

UPDATE 12/13/2008:
Do not try to plug an iPhone into this unit.  It will destroy the phone.  Trust me.  I found out the hard way.