iHome iA5 App-Enhanced 30-Pin iPod/iPhone Alarm Clock Speaker Dock

• Supports most iPhone and iPod models with Universal Dock Connector
• App-enhanced speaker dock for the iPhone OS that combines an interactive app with a bedside alarm clock
• Wake to iPhone/iPod or buzzer, with additional alarms and features available via iHome+Sleep app
• Sure Alarm battery backup maintains clock setting and ensures alarm wake time in case of power failure
• iHome's Reson8 speaker chambers and specially designed high-end drivers deliver clarity, depth and power

I was looking for an alarm clock/charger for my iPhone and finally settled on this one. Partly intrigued by the fact it works in conjunction with an app, I wanted to see how the full package would operate.

It's a little bigger in person than I expected it to be so I might have preferred a smaller device, but that's not a deal breaker. The only other complaint I have is that when the device is working with the app, there's a large button on the top that turns on and emits a rather bright night light that I wish I had the option to turn off. It's not so bright as to keep me awake, but I happen to like a dark room when I sleep, so it's more light than I'm used to. Still, not a deal breaker and I'm thinking about just putting a sticker on top of it or something to dim it down.

The speaker gives out good sound quality, and you can manually control the clock's brightness even to where you can turn the display of completely if you prefer. The app is a nice touch and has some cool features like customizing the music/sounds you sleep and wake-up to, plus about as many alarm options as you want to set.

The buttons on the front are easy to manage and most of the clock's overall management (setting of the time, etc.) is done through the iPhone app, but there are buttons on the back that allow you to manage the clock that way as well.

One thing I was worried about was whether it would work with my iPhone's case on since I've read about other devices that don't fit the phone if you have a case on it. Thankfully this one fits just fine (I have an ifrogz case).

All in all, I'm happy with it.

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I wanted an iPod alarm clock and the iA5's "App-enhanced" nature looked good, so I bought it. I wish I hadn't.

Unfortunately, the app is very poor. There are some nice ideas in it, with "sleep cards" and "wake cards" to handle different situations, but the app is so complicated that it is nearly useless. When you're tired and want to go to sleep, you're not likely to want to fumble around an iPod app hunting for the right settings.

As other reviewers have noted, the iA5 is bright, both the clock display (even at its dimmest setting) and the power button. So unless you like sleeping next to a spotlight, stay away. The iPod is in the way when you try to reach for a button. The device looks like it has two speakers, but actually only has one (my fault for not reading the fine print.)

The App-Enhanced Clock Radio is a good idea, but the iA5 is a poor execution of that idea. Hopefully, iHome will redesign this device and re-write the app with user-friendliness in mind.

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The iHome iA5 is basically an alarm clock that hooks up with your iPod, iPod Touch or iPhone. What it isn't, first of all, is a radio alarm clock --if you don't have an iPod or iPhone connected to it, the only alarm option is a buzzer, so if you're looking for an iPod/radio alarm clock, this isn't it. However, if you connect an iPod or iPhone, it will let you fall asleep to, and wake up to, whatever track your device is set to. I find this a wonderful function, and don't particularly miss the radio, so in that sense it's a good device.

However, the iA5 has a couple of glaring design mistakes. First of all, the iPod/iPhone connector is a little rectangular block sticking out from the front of the device. As a result, your iPod/iPhone will block the buttons on the device most notably the snooze button. So, when you're waking up and maybe still a bit clumsy, you need to maneuver around the iPod/iPhone to press it. That's annoying. Secondly, the connector for the iPod/iPhone isn't too sturdy. Mine actually moves a bit, and when at first I thought this was a defect, so I went to check others in the store and yep, they all move. It doesn't feel sturdy at all, as if it could break off if you accidentally bump it or press your iPod down too hard. Thirdly, there are 4 buttons at the back of the device (to set the time etc.) that are just plain impossible to read unless you lift the device up, because those buttons' text is pointed downward. It's tremendously annoying. E.g. one of those buttons actually syncs your alarm clock with your iPod/iPhone a great idea but it's impossible to see which of the 4 buttons does that without lifting the entire thing. So, those are 3 tremendously annoying design flaws that knocked 2 stars off this device's rating for me.

Otherwise, there's not much to complain about. The clock numbers "shine" from the speaker, which looks very neat, and you can choose 3 levels of brightness for the clock (great if you have sensitive eyes). The sound quality is decent don't expect Bose quality, but for an alarm clock it's definitely acceptable with solid bass and treble levels.

Finally, there's the "app-enhanced" part of the device, which I wasn't able to test as I only have a "classic" iPod that doesn't do apps like the iTouch and iPhone do. As I understand it, it allows you to connect to Facebook (which, of course, you could do without the alarm clock too) and tracks sleep stats (which could be interesting, I guess, but wouldn't be a reason to buy the device for me).

So in the end, you have a decent iPod/iPhone alarm clock with a striking look but a few very annoying design flaws. I would definitely recommend heading to a physical store to check it out before ordering it, because there are many other options for this type of device, and this one frankly has some flaws that may be deal-breakers for you. Still, the price is definitely right, so if you're willing to overlook a couple of clumsily placed buttons, this could be the one for you.

UPDATE: 8/28/2010 I ended up taking this product back to the store, because it stopped charging my iPod. I think the little block that holds the iPod probably got loose. I've exchanged this iHome for the iHome ip92, which has the same functionality but none of the design flaws the buttons aren't blocked by the iPod, and the iPod docks at the top of the device rather than at the front. The sound quality is also MUCH better. Finally, it includes an AM/FM radio. So, if you're considering the iHome iA5, I would strongly recommend checking out the ip92 instead.

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I purchased this as a mothers day gift from the kids for my wife. She had a twenty year old Sony alarm clock that still worked. Good thing, as after two days the the iHome would no longer charge the iPhone and it would give a message saying that the iHome was an incompatible device. I tried all the troubleshooting steps and no luck. I know it was not the phone as we tried two others and we are pretty sure it is a bad connection in the dock connector. I have sent it back for an exchange as the marketplace seller charges a restock fee otherwise but I have a feeling that this clock will not last 20 day let alone twenty years.

The speaker was okay, good enough for it's purpose but don't expect it to sound like a Bose radio. We had no alarm problems for the two days it worked.

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I AM CURRENTLY DEPLOYED IN AFGHANISTAN SO WAKING UP IN TIME FOR MISSIONS IS ESSENTIAL. HAVE HAD IT FOR ABOUT TWO WEEKS AND AFTER DOWNLOADING THE APP OF ITUNES FOR FREE I WAS ABLE SO SELECT ANY SONG OFF MY IPOD TO WAKE UP TO. ITS LOUD ENOUGH TO WAKE ME AND MY HEAVY SLEEPING ROOMMATE UP. ANOTHER GREAT FEATURE THAT I LIKE ABOUT IT IS U CAN SELECT A PLAYLIST FOR IT TO PLAY AS SOON AS YOU WAKE UP. DEFINITELY RECCOMEND THIS PRODUCT