- Compatible with iPad/iPhone/iPod models
- Universal dock charges & plays iPad , iPhone or iPod while docked
- Wake or sleep to iPad/iPhone/iPod or app alarms
- Bongiovi Digital Power Station technology
- Customizable with advanced iHome apps - free iHome+sleep app creates alarms, local weather, etc. & iHome+radio app accesses up to 10,000 Internet radio stations from around the globe
I recommend you refer to the following support threads on iHome's own support forums before considering this item:
[..]
Do a search for more on the iA100 topic and you'll find similar issues with similar concerns. You'll notice that these and other postings have almost zero responses from iHome support except for one (which was not specific or helpful in any way). Direct emails to their tech support (I've sent three over the past two months over the same issues posted) go ignored. I intend to call directly, however I read a customer's posting that the phone support lacks adequate knowledge about the product, software app or remedies, and were advised to post their question on the iHome support forums for better response. This tells me that they have a limited staff and relies solely on their support forums for communicating with customers.
Needless to say, I'm very disappointed with this purchase considering it's a pretty expensive, high-end alarm clock that is customized to work with your iPad / iPhone. People on the forums have complained that their iA100s are unreliable for daily use. I simply can't rely on mine either due to the problems noted in the forum postings. I'm assuming people are merely using the iA100 as a $ speaker system for now. I personally wouldn't mind the time needed to gradually improve their iHome App, but it would be appropriate (and for $200, they should be obligated) to respond to customers with some kind of confirmation, remedy, workaround, or timeline to the fixes posted on the iHome support forum.
I'll be happy to update this post when iHome promptly responds to these and other support postings regarding similar issues regarding the app.
In the meantime, purchase this at your own risk!
Buy iHome App-Enhanced Alarm Clock with Bluetooth and FM Radio for iPad, iPhone and iPod Now
**Revised 01-07-2011 after iHome+Sleep v2.1 releaseI've owned the iA100 for about a month, and have used it extensively. It is one of the sharpest looking iHome products on the market, and I purchased it after reading pre-release announcements and waiting for iHome to make it available for several months, while comparing the competition and deliberating whether or not it would be worth the asking price. An app-enhanced alarm clock is an incredible idea, especially since apps can be improved over time based on customer feedback. I experienced a lot of performance issues during the first few weeks while using v1 of the iHome+Sleep app, but iHome released v2.1 in late December 2010, and although there are still a few stability issues, many of the problems have been resolved. I've revised my original review 's consideration points with 0 to 10 ratings for the iA100 below:
iHOME CUSTOMER SERVICE (0 out of 10)
iHome experimentally created a user forum in November 2010, but abandoned it in December, so all of the customer posts made since then have gone unanswered by iHome employees. I've emailed them with questions about functional problems and never heard back. I've called their tech support number directly, and after waiting for 17 minutes to get a human, I was told that I called the 'computer support' number and that I should have called the 'audio support' number. Upon calling the second number they gave me, and waiting another 10 minutes for a human, I was told to call the number I originally called because they had no idea how to help me with my questions. Amazon sets the global bar for customer service, and all other companies should attempt to imitate them. Return shipping instructions are included with each order, RMA processing is automated online, and you can have them call you within seconds at the click of a button and they already know your issue. iHome has the worst customer service I've ever dealt with, but unfortunately, at this time, they are the only manufacturer of a bluetooth-ready, iPad docking, close-to-Bose-sounding alarm clock on the market.
BUILT IN DEVICE ALARMS VERSUS CUSTOM APP ALARMS (8 out of 10 improved with iHome+Sleep v2.1)
The iA100 clock itself has 2 device alarms that can be set to Tone, iPod, FM, or AUX. You can set the device alarms using small buttons hidden on the back of the clock, but it's obvious that iHome intended for customers to use their iDevice to configure the alarms. Device and Custom Alarms have improved and are easy to set using the app, but v2.1 did not correct the issue from v1 where there is no way to change the tone used by the two iA100 device alarms. With custom app alarms, there are many stereo tones to choose from, but the two device alarms are stuck using the xylophone tone. iHome also added gradual sleep and wake functionality to custom app alarms, so users have the ability to specify how many minutes the volume decreases or increases per alarm. However, this functionality is not offered for the two device alarms, and the `wake volume' slider in each of their settings is hard to adjust to a desirable volume, since the alarm blares on at that setting. It took me several tries to find the perfect wake volume using the slider. I personally prefer to use device alarms as opposed to custom app alarms, because app alarms don't go off unless the app is running and in the foreground all night. The app has a brightness setting to dim the iDevice once the `bedtime' slider has been activated, but even turned all the way down, it is still too bright for me to sleep, and sometimes the custom alarms don't go off when the app is active but the iDevice is asleep.
iHOME+SLEEP APP STABILITY (8 out of 10)
Version 1 of the app was extremely buggy. However, iHome has fixed most of the stability issues in v2.1. The app used to lose connectivity to the iA100 upon multitasking away and coming back, either while docked or connected through Bluetooth. This problem has been fixed, and the app reliably reloads the device settings every time it is made active. The only functional issues remaining are that the Overnight News integration to Twitter and Facebook never works, and sometimes the app crashes as soon as I slide the `Wake Up' slider when a custom alarm goes off. If these two issues are addressed in the next app release, the device alarms are made as functional as custom app alarms, and the reliability improves for custom alarms to go off while the iDevice is asleep, I will rate the app a 10.
BLUETOOTH (10 out of 10)
The iA100's Bluetooth features are awesome. There is a button on the back that puts the clock into pairing mode, at which point you can discover it on your iDevice, PC, or Mac in seconds. Once paired, you can wirelessly stream audio from music or video at up to 33 feet away. I carried my iPad into the living room, at least 30 feet away and through two walls, and the clock was still blaring without a hiccup. When paired to my iPhone, the iA100 rang loudly when I received a phone call, and the built in mic worked flawlessly from across the room without having to raise my voice. I also used the clock to stream music from iTunes on my MacBook Pro and as a Bluetooth speakerphone for Skype. There is a 'Sync Time' feature that syncs the clock to the AT&T time on your iPhone, and it works great over bluetooth (or when docked).
SOUND (9 out of 10)
Although the iA100 doesn't sound as big and full as a Bose system, what does?? The Bongiovi sound engine is awesome. There is a button on the clock and a feature in the app to disable it, but I don't know why anyone would. The volume ranges from 0-40, and it is loud enough at 25-30 to fill my 20x25' master bedroom with full, bassy sound. I can't tell any difference in the sound quality between docked and bluetooth wireless streaming audio they both sound great.
UPDATE POTENTIAL (10 out of 10 as proved by v2.1 of iHome+Sleep app)
iHome already corrected most of the functionality issues in the app with their latest release, v2.1. There are still a few issues, and I am personally hopeful that they will make enhancements to the device alarms, but v2.1 of the app verified my initial willingness to pay two hundred dollars for an app enhanced clock. As more customers provide feedback, iHome should continue to improve user experience. The iA100 also has the ability to download and install firmware updates directly through the iHome+Sleep app when the iDevice is docked and connected to either 3G or WIFI, so there are limitless possibilities to functionality upgrades of the physical clock itself in addition to the app.
OVERALL RATING (9 out of 10 improved substantially with v2.1 of app)
Despite it's few flaws and iHome's blatant lack of customer service, I love the clock even more after v2.1 was released, and recommend it. Although it is one of the most expensive iDevice docking clocks on the market, it has features that you won't find in the competition. At the time of this review, it's the only app-enhanced alarm clock with an iPad dock (although iHome added in-app support for their upcoming iD85, which will also support iPad docking). The bluetooth speakerphone, wireless control, and streaming audio features are awesome (the iA100 also includes a remote control, but you don't really need it if paired through Bluetooth). It looks great, keeps all of my iDevices charged, and I didn't need to buy universal docks to support any of them. There is a rubber insert that can be removed to support some of the larger iPad cases on the market, but I can comfortably dock my iPhone 4 with Apple Bumper Case or iPad with iLuv Silicone Sleeve on the iA100 without removing either, and the iPad feels sturdily fixed in place against the metal support bar.I had been holding off on getting an alarm clock that will also charge my iphone and play music off my iphone because of all the negative reviews. I took a chance on this product and regret it.
I was specifically looking for an alarm clock that could be dimmed all the way to black and had 2 alarms that could be set: one for weekdays and one for weekneds. This one does that, however, my weekend alarm never goes off even though it's set to ON. You HAVE to set the alarm using your phone, which is a pain in the neck. Also, it's not easy to tell if the alarm is set by looking at the clock itself. It is hard to determine what the volume of the alarm will be when it actually goes off in the morning too. Then, to top it all off, this thing is bluetooth ennabled, but any time I take my phone out of the bedroom, and return, I have to make it forget the device and re-pair the stupid thing. What a pain.
On the good side, it sounds great when playing music through it.
I'm packing the stupid thing up and sending it back. When you pay $200 for something, you don't expect to have this many issues with it. My trusty old alarm clock will be returned to service at my bedside.
Want iHome App-Enhanced Alarm Clock with Bluetooth and FM Radio for iPad, iPhone and iPod Discount?
If you are looking for an alarm clock that integrates well with your iOS device, stay away from this one. There are a few big issues with device:1. As an alarm clock, 2 of the most important buttons are on the back side of the clock: the ones to set/adjust Alarm 1 and Alarm 2. The Nap button is also back there, but that is simply frustrating rather than annoying.
2. The dimmest setting on the clock is still extremely bright, making it difficult to go to sleep. Though you can turn the light off, see the next point.
3. The clock based button for changing the brightness of the display does not work when an iOS device is plugged in. This makes it completely useless. The only way to control the brightness with an iOS device in the dock is through the iHome App, and the controller is way to small to access from bed. This alone is enough to make the clock useless.
4. The software for iOS is buggy at best. It will often fail to show the built in Alarms of the clock or fail to show other clock specific features. The Firmware update process is a mystery. No matter how many times I try to update the Firmware, it always shows there is an Update and that the Update installed.
5. Customer support is non-existent.
Overall, a total thumbs down.
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I've read some of the negative reviews regarding this radio so naturally I was a little hesitant on buying it especially given its hefty price tag. After doing a few hours of research about this radio and investigating others as well I learned that iHome updated its iHome Sleep App just recently, addressing many concerns that some reviewers have been commenting on so I decided to give the ia100 a shot.First off I must admit after opening the box and playing with the iHome app I was very disappointed with the app and its reliability of waking me up in the morning. I ran a few tests using all aspects of the software to see how the alarms performed and originally they did not function properly. The sleep timer worked as it should however when it came time for the alarm to go off... nothing! This was concerning and quickly a deal breaker for me obviously because if this thing can't wake me up in the morning I have no use for it. So I tried reinstalling the app and still the same issue. There really isn't that much documentation from iHome for their devices so your left with learning this device on your own for the most part. After some more trial and error I was getting frustrated and was just about to repack the clock to return it when I thought to restart my iPhone 4. What do you know that did the trick! Now the iHome app functions perfectly.
So now that I've got the most important feature figured out and working properly, I must say I really enjoy having this thing next to my bed. I get to fall asleep to either my ipod or internet radio (which is a separate app that they force you to buy which is $1.99 but hey I what's 2 bucks after paying for this radio but it does add a lot of extra listening variety) and then wake up to a completely different station or playlist. So at night I listen to ambient type music and in the morning either dance music or sports talk radio. Cool.
I think one of the reasons this radio gets some bad reviews is because it is so complicated to use and as I said before the documentation from iHome leaves a lot to be desired. The app has some limitations. It has to be left open and your iPhone unlocked for it to function properly. iHome states that this is due to the way IOS5 now functions by putting all programs in the background when the phone is locked. But this is no biggie because you can set the screen brightness to near zero so that when putting the app in bedtime mode not much ambient light is added to the room.
A few more positives:
1. Sound clarity for the size of this unit the sound is quite good and produces a balanced mix of bass, mid-tones, and treble. Plus it has an EQ if you want to refine the sound even further to suit your listening needs.
2. Bluetooth this feature made me go wow. I like the idea that I can answer phone calls with my iPhone disconnected from the iHome and also be able to listen to music wireslessly as well as control volume etc. This is a nice added feature that adds much convenience.
3. Build quality The ia100 is built solidly and the buttons are good quality. Overall you can see that this radio is built to last. I also have no problems with some of the buttons be put in the rear of the device because basically anything you need can be controlled by the software and those buttons would overcrowd the top of the device.
4. Remote nice size remote included which is good if the iHome is far from where you sleep.
5. Ability to sync iHome Radio stations into the iHome Sleep app so you can fall asleep or wake up to any of the hundreds of internet radio stations available in the app.
A few negatives:
1. Text messages are inaudible when the iPhone is docked. I tried changing the alert type and we'll see but so far that one big negative. If I'm half asleep and I get a text the phone only vibrates thus unlikely to wake me up. I hope they figure a workaround for this (maybe having the option to use the iHome's speakers to alert you)
Overall I really like my iHome ia100 and hopefully they continue to improve the iHome Sleep app. I would like to give it a 4.5 stars because of the text message issue and the dearth of instructions and support for the device, but once you figure it out the iHome ia100 delivers a solid bedside clock radio.
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