iHome iA100ZE iPad alarm dock raises questions, supplies few answers
By Joseph L. Flatley 
posted July 19th 2010 4:04PM
posted July 19th 2010 4:04PM
So, the iA100ZE iPad dock isn't anywhere in the same league as the iTar. To be fair, you can't fault iHome for trying to stir up some interest in an over-saturated market by strapping an iPad onto a fairly typical FM radio / alarm clock / dock. And if that's your bag, it certainly seems to be more than up to the task: iHome+Sleep app integration, Bluetooth, and that patented Bongiovi punch. Only a few questions have yet to be answered: when does it ship? For how much? And, most crucially, will you be able to sleep with an iPad shining in your face all night? Get another look after the break.
Well... there's your answer to the question of an iPad FM Radio
It's not my bag baby!
@DaHarder
nobody wants huge dock
@grummy
Change one letter though and everyone will be buying it.
@edgore
They have surgeries for that, you should look into them if you don't think you are "up to par"....
@DaHarder
you're docking it wrong
@DaHarder ALL THAT for a radio??
@edgore
Yeah, especially them geologists. They're always looking for some big rock...
I'm laughing. Can't help, sorry. The picture reminds me the iGotaBigA*ssPocket picture
*Picture of dog with head tilted to the side
Why no make the iPad be the clock? It there really a need for the separate display, not to mention a radio if you have iTunes?
Wow, spell-check really needs to be upgraded to check my grammar too. I hate when I type real words that are wrong and don't get highlighted.
@engadgetcomexcludeengadget Well see my answer below. Even at minimal brightness, the iPad would have a glow like a full moon in your bedroom, or under your bridge or wherever it is you sleep.
@sonicwind
I lol'd at the under your bridge part. Aha..
It'd be sweet if the iPad had full LED backlighting so you could use it like an alarm clock and have an actual reasonable clock brightness.
@sonicwind
It'd be sweet if it also had a TV tuner so I could watch TV on it.
And a heating element so I could cook dinner on it.
Man, what is this fascination with universal gadgets...
@whiskers What kind of cell phone do you own? Can I assume it's a so called dumb phone, since you're only into devices that have a single dedicated purpose? I think you're on the wrong site for being annoyed with people's visions for technology. Try knitting or something.
@Eli Haj Ah no, I meant low enough brightness.
@sonicwind
Why not just use your phone as an alarm clock? Isn't it a bit too awkward to handle a 10-inch tablet while in a semi-conscious state?
Comically ugly.
that looks ridiculous.
Why?
Having the thing you dock be bigger that the dock it self is stupid
@DefPoet just like the original iPhone dock from Apple. Stupid indeed.
Anyone that buys that for their iPad needs to be stabbed in their sleep
@Chi
Or never be given the chance for a good night's sleep as the damn thing will blind you all night.
who wakes up at 6am?!
those people must have jobs...
They made it for women who use the iBleed app and find themselves waking up in the morning needing a fresh iPad.
wow, i can't believe how stupid they think people are, who needs this stuff?
I mean i often use my smartphone as an alarm clock and i have used the FM radio function a few times. But why would i want to plug it into that box?
Some jerk will buy this. It's really sad that people continue to throw money at stupid ugly stuff like this clock here, and then encourage the lameness to continue.
Each and every one of these 'docks' (iPod/iPhone included) are a disaster of industrial design - from both an aesthetic and practical stand point. Not only do they flex and stress the connector when you operate the touch screen, but worse, it would not take much of a knock to cause major damage. Equally, they just look so terrible!
The only company that has a product that DOES integrate the iPhone/iPod Touch well, is this very dock from Sony, that I bought for my Mum and she loves it. Why is it great? The iDevice rests against an adjustable rear plate - and it blends in with Sony's fairly radical but robust industrial design. (It is also a doddle to use, sounds good for the price and even includes a remote.) 4/5 Design Stars! :)
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sony-ICF-C1IPMK2-Speaker-Clock-Radio/dp/B001EMZDJQ/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1279575631&sr=8-1
Absolutely ridiculous.
Hey, if the iPad had widgets, this could be pretty good... But since it doesn't, I do t see much use for this.
It could be very good if the iPad had widgets IMO... But it doesn't so it's kind of pointless...
facepalm
Is was all a matter time!! Well an oversized iPod Touch, in an undersized dock.
I think it will be &$179.99 because it is the same as the only Bluetooth device ihome sells. It's is also set to release 4 quarter.
"And, most crucially, will you be able to sleep with an iPad shining in your face all night?"
How could I not sleep that way?
just one word: ugly!