Ask Engadget: best media display / internet viewer for bedside?
By Darren Murph 
posted June 24th 2010 10:59PM
posted June 24th 2010 10:59PM
So, sweet-dreamers, what'll it be? Do you have a Chumby-infused widget display on your own night stand? Go on, don't be shy -- help a brother out in comments below."I've been trying to buy a new alarm clock lately and am completely appalled at the selection available online or elsewhere. Most are basically docks for your iPod / PMP and have a pre-turn of the century LCD digital clock display and some shoddy speakers. They also range in price from $40 to $200. After seeing things like the Sony Dash and the new Insignia Infocast, I could see those as viable alarm clock solutions (with weather, music, maybe an RSS feed). Are there other items out there that have a great display that you can dim and would be able to serve this purpose? Or or either of those the one to get?"
What about the HP DreamScreen? Those are pretty nice as well.
@Yurassic I think that might be the best choice. I remember is thinking it was really expensive, but it doesn't seem too bad when compared with the Dash.
@Yurassic Play with in the store- I found the response to be way too slow.
I use an Acer T230H Multi-Touch (23.5") LCD monitor. Its set up on a night stand just next to my bed, and powered with my old Athalon 64 fx PC.
its really handy for bed use. Pics later..
I think just some oily balls which jump into your mouth when it's time to wake up would make a good alarm clock.
(waits for twss comment to appear)
But in all seriousness, an alarm clock at the side of the bed, I really don't see the problem using the good old fashioned clock-beep or turn-the-radio-on style units. Those were great and if any dedicated unit is made, I feel it would really be a waste since you'd have such functionality without really using it beyond the alarm-clock function --- as when you jump out of bed, you got your phone in your hand, you're good to go without needing the alarm clocks widgets, etc.
@buoy Obviously he wants something more than a simple beep, perhaps he wants to be awoken to a gentle ambiance that raises tones over time? Assuming he has a smartphone/capable-feature phone isn't helping. What if he's in a contract? He asked the question for a reason.
There is nothing wrong with using the old fashioned beeps, it's just that he wants something more. So, there's nothing wrong with going for a luxury good every now and then either.
♪ don't swim in the ocean you'll get balls in your mouth ♪... and that's what she said.
That last comment should have been directed @bouy
Just join the android or iPhone crowd and your possibilities are almost limitless. I like the options I have with android + Evo. The large screen and kickstand work great as a clock at night.
to everyone suggesting the iPad. Seriously? why would anyone want a bright ass 9.7 inch screen shining next to their bed while they are trying to sleep?! i say the chumby one, good price and it has the roboclock app which is entertaining on it's own
http://www.chumby.com/guide/widget/RoboClock
Wouldn't the best device have an OLED screen? That way you can have the clock on without any backlight. Screen washout in sunlight wouldn't matter because you wouldn't take it outside. Colors are very vibrant and while the power efficiency attribute of OLEDs doesn't matter that much in this application, it is always a good thing.
If someone doesn't make one, they should.
A docked iPod would probably work.
Don't laugh but I use a MSI Xslim-320 netbook (imagine a black Apple Air with more USB sockets) to watch movies in bed and as an alarm clock, nice 13" high res LCD and a intel Z series CPU so the battery is fine with 4 hours of movies on battery alone. The updaise over an iPAD is I can play mkv, avi media files were the iPAD cant (although I doubt the iPAD's cpu could play high res mkv's anyway).
Vuzix AV920 plugged into my psp, streaming content from my media server via remote play. When my eyes are too tired I listen to podcasts using earbuds.
I would say Insignia Infocast
The Pure Sensia seems to be a quality item and has what your looking for. http://www.pure.com/products/product.asp?Product=VL-61294&Category=Connected
If you are in the UK the O2 Joggler was going for £50 and is simply a rebranded OpenPeak OpenFrame. It has been hacked pretty extensively and runs Ubuntu which means a lot of programs amd the full web (including Flash) are available. I have it display http://newsmap.jp/ in a Chrome browser by default but it also runs Flickr slideshows and Google Calendar.
OpenPeak (http://www.openpeak.com/) do a range of other devices, so you might give them a consideration.
Dell Streak with dock? :)
My samsung moment with a kickstand on the case works great for me. For those looking to go bigger, I have had the dash highly recommended by a friend who owns one.
I use my HD2 docked into the Deluxe HTC HD2 Desktop Charging Cradle (http://www.mobilefun.co.uk/deluxe-htc-hd2-desktop-charging-cradle-p22701.htm) & running GAlarm to allow me to awaken to a playlist of my chosen music.
I have yet to choose the PC speakers to go with it, but until then GAlarm allows me to choose to push the audio to the HD2 (tinny) speaker despite having the 3.5mm jack of the dock inserted.
When speakers are in it charges, it plays, it alarms, it browses, it RSS's, it runs myPlayer... oops, only in portrait orientation though... gotta try a different dock for landscape.
@apemonkeyman You could use theipadframe which is a picture frame dock or the groovystand which both can display your iPad in landscape.
If I was you ill definatelly buy me an alarm called Moshi. Just google it or look it up on youtube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X1vqWLxf2o I'm sure it stops ringing if you say Shut the **** up Moshi lol I don't have it yet, that why I'm not 100% sure.
@xanxitto I have the Moshi and it's a pain in the ass. The voice command is nice, but it's definitely a first generation product. There are some oversites that seem ridiculously obvious. For example, there is no way to turn the alarm off once it has sounded. You have to hit snooze three times, after which it stops sounding. This is also a problem if you hit snooze a lot, because after three times you've slept too late and missed work.
Just my .02
@Theturk123 oversights***
@Theturk123 thanks for the UP, I thought it had more potencial. I guess ill wait till a 2.0 version comes out or a similar product.
Buy an alarm clock called MOSHI alarm clock, just google it or youtube it. I don't have it but to me is just awesome for what it does. I was gonna buy it but I forgot bout it. And now with ur post, u remind me. So imma go ahead and buy me a Moshi.
I've been using a Chumby One for a while as my bedside alarm clock radio and I'm happy with it. Customizable alarms, I can go to sleep to all kinds of music, and if I'm bored or can't sleep I can play games on it. The alarm function is nice, it fades up slowly and the screen automatically changes from the night mode to illuminated, which is nice to use the sleep/shutoff buttons. My only concern before I bought it was the mono speaker, but it has good quality sound IMHO. You might check out the Squeezebox Radio too, I considered it, but they cost more and the internal battery option was delayed for several months.
SQUEEZEBOX!
The favorite of all my gadgets!
iPad with theipadframe a picture frame dock. Also works in landscape.
http://bit.ly/d2syow
Oh, how I wish it was real.
i just use my cellphone :D :D
it have alarm etc etc.
and i just put it under my pillow and i sleep lol.
but it really bad when i forgot to use "offline mode". if in "online modea" i will wakeup with my head got headache.
maybe the 3G signal messing my head