iHome's iP41WC (http://www.ihomeaudio.com/products.asp?product_id=10386&dept_id=1006) doesn't debut until January 2010,
So I can't even look at it yet and decide on buying it for a Christmas present. :(

Thoughts?

The design looks better than the non clock Sharper Image rotating speaker dock (http://www.sharperimage.com/Electronics/The+Sharper+Image+Rotating+Speaker+System+Dock+For +iPod+Or+iPhone.axd)
Which to me looks like the rotating mechanism would probably break eventually.

The iHome iP41WC idea looks much better because they used the K.I.S.S. system to design it.

I have a bone to pick with iHome.

Over the last two years I have purchased two Alarm Clock Units from them and am in need of a third.

The reason, is the iPod/iPhone "Dock Connector" compatability.
My first iHome was made "incompatible" when I purchased a 2nd Gen iPod Touch which would not play or charge in it. So I upgrade to their newer model and gave the first one to my wife. Now my second unit is "incompatible" with my new iPhone 3Gs. I see they have another new unit out that will now work with the iPhone (which I will not be buying).

They obviously are not following Apple's recommended Dock Connector "pin configuration". Every time a new Apple device comes out there is a problem with how the Dock Connector is configured.

Just my two cents worth on my experience with this company's products.

DavidH

The Sharper Image one is cooler for the way it rotates. It also has two speakers rather than one. ^But if you're looking for a clock/alarm, the iHome pictured above wins.

I'm in the market for something similar for an iPod Classic, although forward compatibility would be good. Costco has a Sony for $90 and an iHome for $80 that are fairly sturdy, sound great and have clocks.

I'm just wondering why most clocks aren't visible (or have a setting to make them visible) from more than a metre away. Don't people sometimes need to know the time from across the room?

I have a bone to pick with iHome.

Over the last two years I have purchased two Alarm Clock Units from them and am in need of a third.

The reason, is the iPod/iPhone "Dock Connector" compatability.
My first iHome was made "incompatible" when I purchased a 2nd Gen iPod Touch which would not play or charge in it. So I upgrade to their newer model and gave the first one to my wife. Now my second unit is "incompatible" with my new iPhone 3Gs. I see they have another new unit out that will now work with the iPhone (which I will not be buying).

They obviously are not following Apple's recommended Dock Connector "pin configuration". Every time a new Apple device comes out there is a problem with how the Dock Connector is configured.

Whenever someone says "obviously" it's often not the case. I can explain the problem with your first clock - it probably had firewire charging only (there are separate charging pins on the connector for charging via USB and firewire). 2nd Gen iPods and iPhones require USB charging. Some iPods were able to be charged by either Firewire or USB charging, but iPod touches and iPhones were not.

Apple didn't warn third party accessory makers when they started shipping iPods and iPhones that could only be charged by the USB pins on the dock connector. They had to quickly scramble to update their accessories.

As for why it's not compatible with your 3GS - that I can't answer. Maybe it's a power level issue?

Whenever someone says "obviously" it's often not the case. I can explain the problem with your first clock - it probably had firewire charging only (there are separate charging pins on the connector for charging via USB and firewire). 2nd Gen iPods and iPhones require USB charging. Some iPods were able to be charged by either Firewire or USB charging, but iPod touches and iPhones were not.

Apple didn't warn third party accessory makers when they started shipping iPods and iPhones that could only be charged by the USB pins on the dock connector. They had to quickly scramble to update their accessories.

As for why it's not compatible with your 3GS - that I can't answer. Maybe it's a power level issue?

+1

and as for the iPhone I am guessing that it will charge but recommends that you put your phone in airline mode as the product that you have does not have the necessary shielding to illuminate interference from the many signals that an iPhone sends and receives to.

FYI I am not a big fan of iHome but for many other reasons then this that I will not list here but the issues that you have should be aimed at Apple and not iHome.

The Sharper Image one is cooler for the way it rotates. It also has two speakers rather than one. ^But if you're looking for a clock/alarm, the iHome pictured above wins.

I'm in the market for something similar for an iPod Classic, although forward compatibility would be good. Costco has a Sony for $90 and an iHome for $80 that are fairly sturdy, sound great and have clocks.

I'm just wondering why most clocks aren't visible (or have a setting to make them visible) from more than a metre away. Don't people sometimes need to know the time from across the room?

Agreed,
But I bought the Sony dock stereo system from the Source not half an hour ago,
Not because I didn't want the iHome, But because the Sony dock is on sale and
available right now. $99.00, I bought their last one. Yay!!!

I liked the features of the Sony dock stereo (http://www.sonystyle.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?catalogId=10551&storeId=10151&langId=-1&productId=8198552921665825631), The remote uses "AA" batteries instead of
those stupid watch batteries and the remote can control all the functions of the iPod,
Another plus for sure in my book.

Another feature I like is that it has a CD player that can play CD's CD-R's and CD-RW's
Also it can play all those MP3's that I have stored away on CD's.

It's a present for my girlfriend and she told me at the last minute that she doesn't want
a clock radio dock now, But a charger beside her clock radio would be nice.
So I bought her the complete system, Even if she only uses it to charge her iPod Touch.

The picture of the Sony micro stereo is deceptive,
It looks like the speakers are attached, But they aren't, They are free floating.

Also another nice feature, Not found in any of the reviews is that you can change out
the speakers if you want, They are attached with spring clip terminals in the back.

Dave :)

Whenever someone says "obviously" it's often not the case. I can explain the problem with your first clock - it probably had firewire charging only (there are separate charging pins on the connector for charging via USB and firewire). 2nd Gen iPods and iPhones require USB charging. Some iPods were able to be charged by either Firewire or USB charging, but iPod touches and iPhones were not.

Apple didn't warn third party accessory makers when they started shipping iPods and iPhones that could only be charged by the USB pins on the dock connector. They had to quickly scramble to update their accessories.

As for why it's not compatible with your 3GS - that I can't answer. Maybe it's a power level issue?

Thank You for the explanation and correcting me on where the issue lies.
I wonder if other manufacturers had the same problems?

DavidH

Saw the iHome's iP41WC iPod Clock Radio dock (http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10121918&catid=26997) on Breakfast Television this morning,
They did a segment and the iHome was featured as one of the products at Futureshop.

How about that, It is available in Canada and on sale for $59.99 ($40. off)
But it appears to be sold out in a few Futureshop locations at the moment.

Doesn't matter though, I've already bought a different dock for a present.

http://www.futureshop.ca/multimedia/products/large/10121918.jpg

Dave :)

Doing some last minute shopping,
I bought the iHome ip9 (http://www.ihomeaudio.com/iP9)

Didn't get it on sale, But at least I got it,
It was the last one in the store at Staples.

I hope my girlfriend likes it.

Dave :)