Gear4 ups the iPhone alarm clock ante with SmartDock

These things are a dime a dozen, sure, but you can't fault Gear4 for trying. In fact, it has managed to create something that's marginally unique in a world full of me-toos, as the SmartDock relies on hardware and software aspects in order to shine. At first blush, the actual dock isn't much to look at, but the bundled app enables you to search through stations using the iPhone's touchscreen and pause / rewind at will. You can also sync the alarm clock to play through the dock's speakers, and it'll work just fine on the iPod touch. We certainly wish a remote would've been thrown in for good measure, but hopefully the whole package will be cheap enough to make us overlook the omission. Wink, wink.

[therockr92 Posted Feb 20th 2010 9:11AM]

Using the device as a bluetooth remote would be sick

[rhezaganteng Posted Feb 20th 2010 9:12AM]

is it what iphone made for ?, just a alarm ?

[DcMeese Posted Feb 21st 2010 12:54AM]

@rhezaganteng

wtf lol.

[mitchrapp Posted Feb 20th 2010 9:12AM]

What drives me crazy about these type of iPhone/iPod radios is I have to take my iPhone/iPod out of it's case to put it in the cradle.

Attention manufactures. Please put a usb port on the back/side so I can still you your radio with my iPhone/iPod a usb cable instead of the actual dock.

I am no expert, but I don't see how this is too difficult and it would make a lot easier for your customers.

[naterecording Posted Feb 20th 2010 9:37AM]

@mitchrapp
I usually just take the dock connector out altogether because my case is big enough around the bottom that it will sit pretty tight in most docks.
You could also get the type of case with the removable bottom so you don't have to take the whole case off when you want to dock. Seems easier than a usb connector or aux cable.

[safe travels Posted Feb 20th 2010 9:40AM]

@mitchrapp
yes! upranked.

[chaos215bar2 Posted Feb 21st 2010 2:06AM]

@mitchrapp It's too difficult because the dock connector houses much more than USB. I guarantee you the audio is not being sent from the iPhone to the dock over USB. However, I'm sure someone could figure out a way to make a dock that could connect even with a case in the way.

[Evinyatar2 Posted Feb 21st 2010 3:03PM]

@mitchrapp
Just a USB cable wouldn't cut it with most of these docks, since the USB cable doesn't do audio or the serial port required for control. But that's what dock extension cables are for. Try searching DX for one.

[Fanfoot Posted Feb 22nd 2010 1:53AM]

@mitchrapp How about all case manufacturers be required to offer dock connector adapters for the iPhone WITH their cases on. That would solve most of these issues...

[chadw Posted Feb 20th 2010 10:42AM]

@ Darren Murph
And by "marginally unique" surely you mean "not unique at all." iHome has their iA5 alarm/dock that is app enhanced and iPhone driven and, even more importantly, it has a price and you can order it today.

[phoghat Posted Feb 20th 2010 11:59AM]

Hope it's better that iHome products. Their sound isn't too good

[fort Posted Feb 20th 2010 12:19PM]

A Droid,N1 look a like with out all the goodies. No reference to Android on this product. I forget apple stated they are no long able to use the word "Android".

[mKTank Posted Feb 20th 2010 1:20PM]

@fort
You do realize the iPhone came out years before N1 and Droid right? And as for your mention of "goodies," I'd rather be able to pick from 150,000 apps than a pathetic 20,000.

[fort Posted Feb 20th 2010 1:25PM]

@mKTank
Good to know. I rather control what I pay for. My music is my music and can do with it as I please. I rather play Pandora at the same time respond to email,text, mms or play games all without being forced to close Pandora.

[snailfur Posted Feb 20th 2010 10:10PM]

@fort Some people call it jailbreakin, thats what I've heard.

[mKTank Posted Feb 21st 2010 3:19AM]

@fort
Ever heard of Backgrounder? Of course not. You're too busy giving Google rimjobs for every new supposed "iPhone killer" they release. Funny, if they were iPhone killers, they wouldn't need more than one phone.

[fort Posted Feb 21st 2010 3:32AM]

@mKTank
Who said anything about Iphone Killer. As long as kids love small thing there will always be room for the Iphone. After you stop spiting on Iphone shag you should see that the Iphone offer the less of any smart phone. There are Android product because of OPEN SOURCE. Ever heard of it? What do you say to guy who help invent the Iphone who states. Nexus one is the best phone ever.

[mKTank Posted Feb 21st 2010 1:42PM]

@fort
Typical ignorant anti-Apple reply. The fact that you think the iPhone offers less confirms that you indeed don't know about jailbreaking. Oh well.

[MW Posted Feb 20th 2010 1:37PM]

Would have thought the promotional photo would be better considered. That's a note saying the device is not designed for iphones!

[Jeff P Posted Feb 20th 2010 3:31PM]

@MW
Oh my God! I think you're right! Let us hope that they'll address that issue before the product releases.

[Extinction Posted Feb 20th 2010 3:23PM]

I hope it acts as a good speakerphone

[DirtySocks85 Posted Feb 20th 2010 6:33PM]

If you're just interested in the app, here it is: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/dockclock/id324686907?mt=8 Use it with whatever dock you want.

[darex Posted Feb 21st 2010 10:53AM]

I have a Cozip snap-on polycarbonate case for my iPhone and I never have to remove it to dock my phone. It's why I bought it. I've had it for 2 years already.