- Play and charge your iPod/iPhone/iPad simultaneously with this dual-docking speaker dock.
- Digital tuning with preset stations for extra, 10W RMS total output power convenience.
- Dock any 30-pin iPod, iPhone, or iPad, even in its case. Also includes a MP3 link for portable music playback.
- Gentle wake for a pleasant wake up. Aluminum cabinet for quality look and feel experience.
- Auto clock synchronization with iPod/iPhone/iPad when docked.
- Wake up to your iPod/iPhone/iPad music or radio tunes. Also includes weekday/weekend alarm setting to complement your lifestyle.
Unfortunately, I had given my other unit away to a friend when I got an iHome smaller circular unit with a base that lit up. But while that one sounded good as well (but not as good), the thing I liked best about it, the lighting feature, died. So I've been left with this half working alarm clock for my iPhone only for the last four or five months. So when this one came up as an option for the Vine program, I jumped on it, since I had already bought it's "older brother" and really liked it.
It arrived, and obviously wasn't any big deal to learn the ins and outs on, since it's mostly the same. Radio sounds good and, as long as you get the cord straightened out some, picks up the stations around here well. My iPad2 works great with it, as does my iPhone 4 and iPhone 4s. I wish they had little bumpers on the back dock though towards the ends where the iPad reaches, to help it stay straight. Might be a little OCD of me, but it bugs me when it's cocked a bit to the side. I would have preferred something that stopped it from tipping when fully seated, to maintain the right orientation instead of having to tilt it a bit back and forth to find the right spot.
But it does NOT work with the third generation iPad. It fails in a major fashion. When the third gen iPad is put on it, it locks the whole system. It's not just that the iPad doesn't work with it, that the remote doesn't work or won't play, the radio stops working altogether. Everything is unusable. The iPhone 4s in the small dock won't work, none of the buttons on the remote will work, none of the buttons on the unit will work. It's completely frozen. Unfortunately, when you remove the third gen iPad from the dock, suddenly all the stuff that you tried to input suddenly happens as if it's been queued up.
The sound is still incredible from such a little device, the looks are great. The app leaves a bit to be desired though, especially compared to the iHome app which I liked, and of course does not work on here. I do have several alarm clock apps though that DO work.
The other part of my switch from the iHome device I had is that I'm at least back to a unit with it's own alarm clocks as well, two of them. Which works great so I have an alarm when I'm by myself, or a second alarm at a different time when I have to get my 8 year old to school. Not dependent on any device being docked. Or you can leave them turned off and just use whatever alarm you want on the iPhone or iPad (and yes, it also works with the first gen iPad).
There will need to be some kind of firmware update for it though to get past this third gen iPad issue, since it's not a software problem, you can't even get it to see that it's on a Philips device to prompt to load the software. I loaded it separately and same problem with or without it. Since that's what I wanted this for, the larger iPad again, it's a pain for me until they can fix it.
Edit 3/23/12
Just talked with Philips support their engineers are (obviously) aware of the problem and are working on a fix for it. I asked if they'll notify owners who have the unit registered through their website with an email or something, or if we just have to keep an eye on the support page. The reply was that if a customer registered it and opted for email notification, they will be sent an email notice, and it will also be updated on the support site.
Edit 4/16/12
Unit is working now with my third generation iPad. There may have been a software update for the Philips app that did it, since there's still nothing on their support page about it, but I can now use my iPad third generation on the rear dock, play music, and have the alarm play through the radio. Since it no longer locks up the unit, I've changed my rating accordingly, from 3 stars to 5 stars, since it is doing everything it should now.
Edit 4/19/12
Now unit is back to not working with my third generation iPad. Couldn't have been a philips app update that fixed anything since the Philips app opens and immediately shuts down. I just tried again tonight to dock it, and out of six attempts to dock it and get it to function, it only kind of worked once... So clearly there is still something going on here that has to be addressed...
Buy Philips DC390/37 Dual-Docking 30-Pin iPod/iPhone/iPad Alarm Clock Speaker Dock Now
I really love this clock radio. My older radio had problems picking up my local NPR stations. I use NPR as my wakeup alarm. I was nervous about the radio reception quality because I haven't seen anyone else mention how good it is. The signals are strong and clear. And WOW, the sound is really great with nice bass and full midtones. I also love the gradual volume on the alarm. no loud shocking noise when it goes off. The other features are well thought out and user-friendly too. After much research on which is the best iPhone clock radio This DC390 model by Philips is the "clear" winner.****UPDATE TO ORIGINAL REVIEW***As of today, 8th January 2013, I still have received absolutely no response from Philips on the status of my claim. I was again told today by Customer Service that someone from "Corporate" would call me back within a week with a status !!!???!!! I verified with the CS rep on the phone that they did indeed receive the unit, and that they had my correct contact info. I honestly don't believe I will get any response or a unit back or a refund, this company is so large they must just ignore a majority of claims and somehow get away with it. I feel powerless, but my next step is a call to my state Consumer Affairs Dept. DON'T BUY ANYTHING FROM PHILIPS, YOU WILL REGRET IT ONCE SOMETHING STOPS WORKING, AND IT WILL, GIVE IT TIME!
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Although I liked this docking station for sound, docking convenience, and looks, the clock did not work, it consistently ran very fast, like up to 10 minutes within 1 day of resetting the time no good, it would be fast by an hour within a week.
So after having this item only 1 month, I called Philips customer service to get a warranty replacement. To my disappointment, they would not send me a replacement until I shipped the original unit back. So I waited several days for them to email me a UPS return label. I then sent in the unit via UPS on 15th November 2012, and as of today, 6th December 2012, I have still not received my replacement of this expensive item and have been without a clock radio in my kitchen for almost a month (a nuisance when you are trying to get out the door for work on time, among other inconveniences). I have nothing for the $150 I already spent.
I just called Philips customer service to find the status and although they had me in the system with the correct reference number I was given, I was told someone would get back to me in another 1 or 2 business days with information on the status (not, mind you, an actual unit shipped out). I don't understand why a unit was not immediately shipped and why they need another 2 business days to find the "status" with all of the high tech online capabilities these companies should have by now. I am very disappointed in Philips customer and warranty service and cannot recommend buying anything from them if this is how they handle defective merchandise returned well within the warranty period. Too bad because I would like the unit itself if only the clock worked.
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iPhone issue, and I am not alone: as soon as I plug in my iPhone 4 (running iOS 5.1.1), None of the buttons work, music does not play through the dock, but the iPhone does charge. Multiple phone resets / reboots / device power cycles did not help.Save 33% Off
This is a great product, and it is exactly what I was hoping for: multifunctioning unit that eliminates charging cords everywhere while looking nice at the same time. I detest those plastic-y units that look cheap right out of the box...and this unit does not disappoint. The brushed metal outer casing is great. I can charge my iPhone and iPad at night...the kids can charge their itouches while they are at school.The alarm controls are a bit tricky, and the directions have a little to be desired, hence the 4 stars instead of 5. Once you get to know the system, it's easier. You can set two different alarms, waking up to either device charging, or radio, or alarm buzz. The display is adjustable for brightness.
Looks great, sounds very good in a bedroom (not sure it is a party device,) and works well. All around a great implementation of a dual dock!
