iHome iH5, an iPod Clock Dock Review - Ok tell me about it!
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The iHome was ESPECIALLY easy to get set up and working. I took it out of the box and plugged it into the wall, and that was it! The time is preset, so you never have to set the time (has a 100 year battery for it, so I'm told). You do have the ability to add or subtract minutes if you want, and you can even select your timezone, so the clock will adjust accordingly. My iHome came preset for EST (which is where I live), so it required no settings. The clock will maintain accuracy all on its own, even self-adjusting for Daylight Savings time and leap years.
The first thing I did, before even plugging it in, was to find the correct insert for my iPod. I have a 4th Generation 20GB, so finding the right connector was simple. Once I snapped it in place, I plugged in the unit and plugged my iPod right in. It immediately started playing me music right from my iPod. Couldn’t be simpler!
Now, I’d like to add a bit of a gripe right here. This isnt really aimed at the iHome, but at all iPod accessories really. The iPod is an amazing little machine, but it is also delicate and scratches easily. This being the case, most people (including myself) have iPod protectors on their iPods. I have one of those little rubber stretch-fit protectors around mine. Yet, every single iPod docking station requires the iPod be removed from its protector so the plugs will reach. I dunno about you, but my protector is a bit of a pain to be pulling on and off all the time.
The iHome comes with 4 dock inserts, so whichever iPod you have will fit snug. According to the box, it is compatible with iPods 3G, 4G, Photo, Mini, and Nano. There’s even a holder in the box for the iPod Shuffle. What Shuffle owners need to be aware of, is that with the Shuffle, the insert is nothing but a holder. All of the other iPods listed interface with the iHome through their dock connector. The Shuffle needs to use the external cable to be able to send music through to the iHome. Now, what Im fuzzy on this this respect, is does the Shuffle need to play music all night until time for the alarm the next morning?
From the above picture, you can see the power jack, as well as the line-in and line-out plugs. The shuffle, or any other input device (including non-iPod mp3 players) would plug in here. You could also output the audio into a larger home entertainment system, or into your computer. The other plug here is for the AM radio antenna (the FM antenna is internal) and there are a couple buttons for selecting your daylights savings time preference, setting your timezone, and tweaking the time.
Another cool feature of the iHome, is that when your iPod is in place, it automatically charges your iPod battery (sorry again, Shuffle owners). This way, the next day when you are leaving and grab your iPod, its fully charged and ready to go.
Next: Well, how did it work? >>
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