Oh sure, the iHome iP99 is certainly a welcome addition
to the fray, but the
first iPhone-compatible clock radio
it isn't. Nevertheless, this device claims to be able to play back tunes on your handset without that sanity-killing interference that's so common on most iPod stereo systems. While blasting out tunes, users can still expect to receive calls while it's charging, and if you're currently rolling sans an iPhone, it'll also play nice with all docking iPod models. Per usual, there's an AM / FM tuner, auxiliary input, a variety of wake modes, dual alarm settings, backlit buttons and a remote control for switching tracks / controlling volume from afar. Of course, by the time this thing lands in June for $149.99, we could be testing to see if it works with an
all new iPhone.
Update: We've been informed that what was really supposed to be said here was that it's "is the first clock radio available for purchase that is designed
specifically for the iPhone," and it's been awarded the coveted "Works with iPhone" sticker from Apple itself. Needless to say, this bad boy has all the shielding you'll need.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
TonyZhou @ Apr 15th 2008 10:08AM
Delicious
stardash @ Apr 15th 2008 10:09AM
What ever happened to using headphones with an iPOD?
ebook @ Apr 15th 2008 10:26AM
Headphones are fine with me for an iPod.
Reader @ Apr 15th 2008 11:23AM
I hope you're being sarcastic, stardash.
DESTOS @ Apr 15th 2008 10:11AM
It doesn't even know what an iPhone is. It's calling it an iPod!
ArthurHitler @ Apr 15th 2008 10:30AM
is anyone used HIphone?
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Tibet, Taiwan, Diaoyu Island were, are, and will always be part of China!
decypher44 @ Apr 15th 2008 10:36AM
Well, if Apple would have gone with Sprint, there wouldn't be that problem of interference. That, and I would have one, because SERO is just too damn good.
zephead @ Apr 15th 2008 10:40AM
If you live in a 3G area, the buzzing won't be a problem for you with the new iPhone. WCDMA doesn't buzz like GSM does.
Derek @ Apr 15th 2008 10:40AM
What is the best option for a decent sounding, relatively inexpensive iPhone/iPod stereo, similar to this?
Eric @ Apr 15th 2008 11:07AM
I have the previous version of the iHome and it's horrible. you can't adjust the volume of the radio when it turns on in the morning as the alarm. So when the alarm goes off, the radio comes on really, really loud. Horrible, horrible design. I curse it every morning but can't bring myself to throw it in the land fill.
Worst $100 I ever spent.
Benjamin Chan @ Apr 15th 2008 11:22AM
Actually sounds like a good alarm to me. I personally like having an alarm clock that's so annoying it does wake me up. Even if it does stir the urge to kill it. (Also an iHome owner)
I stopped using other alarm clocks though, the iPhone alarm features and number of alarms and schedules blow every alarm clock I've ever had out of the water.
luke @ Apr 15th 2008 11:30AM
I want one with built in wifi Internet Radio!
StC @ Apr 15th 2008 11:42AM
Doesn't do:
*automatic time and date setting, so you'll be resetting this stupid clock every DST.
*weather
*projection
All of these are features on $20 alarm clocks, but rarely together. I expect one for $150 will combine these easy features.
douglas j @ Apr 15th 2008 12:23PM
actually, the ihome has a switch in the back that toggles between daylight savings times - an hour back, an hour forward. couldn't be easier really.
Zak @ Apr 15th 2008 12:39PM
Well technically it could actually be easier. It could do it automatically.
douglas j @ Apr 15th 2008 1:18PM
it could also drive you to work.
StC @ Apr 15th 2008 1:27PM
Driving to work isn't a feature of $20 clocks.
Automatic time update from NIST is available on cheap clocks off-the-shelf at big-box stores. Why would some company build a new clock without this feature? Because outsourcing of manufacture and poor product design go hand-in-hand. If some company wants me to spend $150 on an alarm clock, they better have put some thought into it.
douglas j @ Apr 15th 2008 3:00PM
i thought the toggle switch was very thoughtful.
Joshua.JWilliams @ Apr 15th 2008 2:23PM
Saw this on Sunday at Costco .... it's already out. About $90, they've having HUGE sales on some of their electronics. They have a Athena iVoice for $40! Whhhhattta deal .... might have to pick it up eventually. :)
I had the old iHome and sold it on eBay within about a month. Like the previous person stated, it starts up really really loud. Too loud in fact.
lagrandiose @ Apr 15th 2008 2:34PM
this is indeed a very good looking device.But the price is kinda expensive though
roc ingersol @ Apr 15th 2008 2:36PM
It's made to have a phone docked into it. So why not just sync the clock to the phone's time? No extra hardware on their end. No special buttons. DST-compatible, travel-compatible -- magic!
Similarly, shouldn't this thing just kick off the alarm according to the phone's schedule? Sure, sure - they should -support- old-school alarms. But it should kick off for any additional alarm events generated by the attached pod.
Skaught @ Apr 15th 2008 3:48PM
I bought an iHome portable radio/iPod system for $38 from Kohls back in the fall. Not made for iPhone, but unless the phone rings I have no interference at all. Not a clock radio, but I like the portability of it. Sound is good and the buttons control the iPhone nicely.
I'm also using a Belkin car stand/charger to hold and charge my iPhone in the car. It has one of those useless FM transmitters in it (do any of those actually work?), but it also has a line out jack that I use to plug into my car's Aux In. Again, not designed for the iPhone, but no interference at all using it.
Amber@Gammoth @ Apr 15th 2008 4:30PM
I think this is a great product .... I think the price will go down a lot because there are alternative ways of doing this, but once the SDK comes out for the iPhone this summer, I think this could be a hit!
MTCatFan41 @ Apr 16th 2008 8:46AM
I have the iH9 model and actually you can adjust the volume on when you wake up. I want to say you hold down the snooze button and then press it again (to get past the "set snooze time") to get to a volume thing. Then you set the volume, the radio wakes up at alarm time and steadily increases to the volume you selected.
Gadgeteer @ Apr 16th 2008 4:50PM
I've been looking around and I haven't seen any iPhone clock radios yet, so maybe this thing will be the first. If it is, I am definitely getting one. Looks sweet.