Showing posts with label timex t307s clock radio manual. Show all posts
Showing posts with label timex t307s clock radio manual. Show all posts

Samsung Galaxy Multimedia Desktop Charging Dock for Samsung Galaxy Phones

Samsung Galaxy Multimedia Desktop Charging Dock for Samsung Galaxy PhonesI just received this unit. First thing I noted is that it is labeled as followed: Samsung Galaxy Universal Multimedia Desktop Dock so it isn't specifically for the SGS3 but should work with it. Due to an error on my part with Verizon when I first ordered the phone, I also bought the one that says "For the SG3" so I can verify that they are exactly the same, just packaged differently.

It came in Samsung's retail packaging with the unit and the microusb/ac wall adapter. It does not come with a spare battery nor a compartment for one but it does have a battery of its own. It has a port for the microusb and a speaker line out 3.5mm jack. The bottom half of the unit as you look down on it flips open very easily and smoothly (having decent fingernails helped me) and has a slight soft click as it sets into place. The lid turns into somewhat of a backrest for the phone once it is plugged into the unit. It is not the best choice for placing the phone in landscape mode which boggles the mind how exactly is this a multimedia dock then? I think calling this unit a Multimedia Desktop Dock is stretching it a bit it is a dock with a ext speaker feature that has quirks.

I was envisioning using my headset for this while charging my phone but the instructions manual says 3.5mm headphones are not recommended to be used with the line out speaker jack, but it doesn't say why. It does say you can use external speakers. I don't know why it would exclude headphones.

It does allow me to use my bluetooth headset while the phone is docked so I can listen to tunes while I do other stuff.

It also says that data synching is not available if you connect your pc via usb and to not use usb to pc for charging.

Another warning says during charging or at high volumes, sound quality cannot be guaranteed.

I think the price on this unit is a bit steep for it's limited function, so if you can use your Amazon points to lessen it like I did, I would advise this.

I will update this review once I actually get to use it.

*****

UPDATE:

July 10 2012 actual use

The connection is incredibly flimsy! Have to be delicate and gentle the unit will move forward or side-to-side with the lightest wrong touch or movement of the dock this is really just for charging and light usage.

I am relieved the SGS3's screen is insanely sensitive to the touch which helps or this would be an absolute waste.

I cannot believe they list this as a multimedia dock. A real multimedia dock either cradles or holds your phone securely this does neither. Such a shame. I will still keep it for lack of anything better atm but I honestly don't see myself using it that often. It does help to adjust the setting on the phone to allow for a slight soft alert when the phone is correctly inserted into the dock since up until I did this, I wasn't quite sure if the phone was set in properly. (Settings>Dock>Dock sound checked)

I might consider buying the much less pricey but sensibly made (looking at the photos on the site you can see the proper support for the device) EXPANSYS Cover-Mate Dual USB Cradle for SGS3 can be found using google. I saw the one labeled specifically for the SGS3 and it is the same exact dock btw.

Update:

July 24th 2012 Bodyglove Dropsuit

So in my search for a case of my liking, I bought a Bodyglove Dropsuit (black). I have some pros and cons about the case but that's for a different section. I will say that because of the case, it makes the dock usable! The case is slimmer than most with similar protection and is not too bulky despite its ruggedness, but has more material than the Samsung flip cover. Surprisingly, when I dock the phone with the Dropsuit case, it actually fits snugly and doesn't wobble even when moving the unit and the ribbed texture in the back of the case actually gives the phone extra support while in the dock. This bumped the dock up 2 stars since it actually makes room for a case like this. This aspect is a strong pro for the dock and the case as I decide on 2 others (Otterbox Defender & Trident Kraken) that should be arriving within the next few weeks. As always, will keep everyone posted.

Update:

August 13, 2012

I have to say that I have been using this dock more while I am at home at my desk with the exception of when I am watching videos. I will then use take the phone out of the dock and turn it sideways and lean it against something for movies. It isn't because I like the dock, but I have it and it is here and I don't want a paperweight.

Every site with the exception of Otterbox's official site had very long shipping delays/ETAs with their black Otterbox Defender case. I suspect Otterbox did this on purpose so that consumers would pony up the $50 directly to get the case ASAP rather than test their patience with the much lower priced case offerings promised elsewhere. Unfortunately, I am not in the position to indulge my impulse shopping side so I am still awaiting its arrival. I regret to say that I had to choose between the more well-known Otterbox Defender or the Trident Kraken, so I won't be able to review how the latter works with this dock.

Updates on the dock with the Defender coming soon.

***Update***

Aug 16 2012

The Otterbox Defender case does NOT work with this dock. The dust protector cover over the charger port prevents this.

I hope this helps others decide. I will be posting my review on the Otterbox Defender case under the appropriate feedback section. Feel free to ask any question pertaining to my review or if you feel I have left anything out.

***Update***

9/4/2012

I did end up cleanly cutting away the charger port silicon dust protector from the Otterbox Defender case because it was very annoying to flip it open to charge my phone each and every time, but the case is much too thick for the port to make proper contact with this dock so they are not compatible. If you want a rugged case and this dock to work together, opt for the Bodyglove Dropsuit.

*** Final Say ****

3/14/2013

I have stopped using the dock altogether in all honesty & both are now just paperweights :(

What I use is a bendable/flexible spider holder as I can place the phone either vertically or horizontally for movies. I got mine in black from thinkgeek (.) com and last I looked they were out of stock but if you google: spider podium stand : without the colons you should see similar ones. It's not super sturdy but is very useful esp if your phone has a rubberized type outer case and you like to watch movies/youtubes.

There's even mini tripods that dual function for cameras and phones that hold the phone more securely, but I think companies completely missed a financial windfall by not manufacturing a truly versatile multimedia dock (both horizontal and vertical) that holds this phone in a decent grip.

The European market has come close such as the iBolt vehicle dock from the U.K. But I mean, come on, even Belkin created a dualfit armband for this phone ;) Sinjimoru's Sync Stand Charge Dock Cradle had the right idea but the design looks funky and still doesn't seem to hold the phone securely check out the reviews on it right here on amazon.

A desktop charger is usually one of the first accessories I purchase when I get a new phone. I am very dissapointed with this dock. It feels cheap and flimsy, and the phone basically balances on the mini USB port, which I would imagine after a few months of use would damage the port. They need to make these docks like the ones used with the Droid X which is solid and sturdy.

Buy Samsung Galaxy Multimedia Desktop Charging Dock for Samsung Galaxy Phones Now

I was concerned with all of the negative reviews and low scores about this item but I wanted a charger for my Galaxy S3. I bought it anyway and wow.....it is perfect!

People complain about the connector. It's perfect, especially since I don't have to take off the case to dock it, WOW!

People complain about the docking feeling flimsy or cheap. It's solid.

People complain it doesn't go to desktop mode when docked. It does everytime for me.

People complain it has no Galaxy S3 branding on it? Who cares! It says Samsung and that's good enough for me.

This is a good, quality product and I have no complaints what so ever.

Read Best Reviews of Samsung Galaxy Multimedia Desktop Charging Dock for Samsung Galaxy Phones Here

The actual packaging says "Universal Multimedia Desktop Dock." Nothing about the S3 is on it anywhere. That said the Galaxy S3 does fit (barely). It does not merge with the micro USB port of the phone very well and feels like it's scraping the bottom of the phone when trying to mate with the dock. It is easily knocked out/unseated from the cradle at the slightest movement of the docking station or when trying to handle the phone to access the UI. You have to be very careful to keep it docked just to unlock it or navigate the screen.

The ONLY PRO I have experienced here is that unlike the Galaxy S2 Desktop Dock ECR-D1D3BE you can turn on bluetooth and pair with devices while still docked! I can now leave the phone docked while paired with my Jawbone Big Jambox and listen to music. Could not do that with the Galaxy S2 Desktop Dock ECR-D1D3BE.

The 3.5 Audio out port is laughable.

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It does what it's supposed to do, but since it's a universal dock and not specific to the Galaxy S3, it's a bit on the wobbly side. (my coworker also tried his Galaxy Nexus and the fit was identical) The dock is made from plastic, which also contributes to it's instability. I'm not worried about it falling out of the dock, but when I actually touch the screen to use the phone, it bounces slightly and will even tilt to the side. If it sounds like this will bother you, then maybe look into a more expensive, phone-specific option. Overall, I'm good with it just wish it didn't bounce.

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Nokia C5-04 Unlocked GSM Phone with 5 MP Camera and Ovi Maps Navigation Optimized for T-Mobile--U.S.

Nokia C5-04 Unlocked GSM Phone with 5 MP Camera and Ovi Maps Navigation Optimized for T-Mobile--U.S. Version with WarrantyThis is not having a 5 MP camera instead it's only have a 2 MP camera. Features are all same as Nokia C5-03 with only difference in Camera resolution and Wi-Fi. There is no Wi-Fi in this version which is absurd. There is no point of buying Nokia C5-04 instead of Nokia C5-03.

Amazon listed this product with wrong details of 5 MP camera which is actually confusing. I am returning this product due to this.

No 5MP camera & no Wi-Fi on this phone !!!! So DON'T buy this phone based on the specs given here ! What is Amazon coming to ??!!!!

Buy Nokia C5-04 Unlocked GSM Phone with 5 MP Camera and Ovi Maps Navigation Optimized for T-Mobile--U.S. Now

Yeah boo! This item is listed wrong. Only 2 MP camera and no WiFi for the C5-04. Battery life is good though, plus 3G for Tmo, and the latest Symbian^1 is nice.

Read Best Reviews of Nokia C5-04 Unlocked GSM Phone with 5 MP Camera and Ovi Maps Navigation Optimized for T-Mobile--U.S. Here

To clear things up, here's a link to another review on the C5-04:

I've just bought this phone from Wind Mobile in Canada. It looks like their entire product line is being replaced so I am guessing that this phone has reached the end of its marketing cycle.

First, the good stuff about this phone. It's decent-looking in design, with decent construction quality. The screen colours are not lacking, and the interface looks quite pleasant. Despite have a resistive touchscreen, the "buttons" on this phone do not require too much pressure to press, which reduces fatigue. Typing on the screen number pad and QWERTY keyboard is relatively easy. The OVI Maps is an excellent application for GPS navigation on foot and vehicle, thus I recommend that if you do want this phone to consider purchasing the 3G data plan if the rates are not too high. The themes and wallpapers can also be customized. The Symbian OS seems to be pretty easy to use, with an intuitively-designed interface. As microSD cards up to 16GB can be inserted into the phone, users can prevent clogging up their phone memory with apps. Speakerphone volume can get very loud, but may be a little distorted when set to max. As for the call quality itself, it's great, as that's what Nokia phones are renowned for.

Now the bad stuff, which stacks up against this phone. The lack of a Wifi adapter on this phone is infuriating, as 3G speeds are not as fast as promised by my cellphone provider. Opening any webpage, downloading anything, or simply transmitting and receiving data over the internet takes minutes to accomplish. I believe that this is also because the phone only has 128MB of RAM. When connecting to the computer by the provided USB cable, the phone tends to freeze several times. Thus I've given up on the OVI suite and have resorted to copying files directly from my computer to the microSD card itself. The web browser itself is showing its age, which is true of the Symbian S60 OS itself. Also, without a capacitive touchscreen, performing any tasks in the web browser is tedious and slow. The shortcuts on the home screen cannot be changed, so accessing installed apps can be tedious and discouraging. The phone memory is a paltry 75 MB. After installing the updates from OVI suite it's already almost full and I have to start deleting stuff. The OVI store itself has a relatively limited selection of apps, which is a positive indicator for its demise (after all Nokia is switching to Windows Mobile based smartphones). The camera isn't bad because it's 2MP (on the contrary, many cellphones with 2MP do take more than acceptable pictures), it's because it's fixed focus, which means the lens can't adjust at all when taking photos. Thus the pictures are downright terrible. Same thing for the video. Another thing for music fans the phone doesn't support East Asian characters (or any characters other than the Latin alphabet AFAIK), so be prepared to deal with long lists of box characters when searching for music on your phone.

As a smartphone, this is an outright failure. By restricting the S60 OS features, memory size, and RAM capacity, and taking away Wifi, Nokia took away potentially great qualities from a phone that could have been MUCH better (it's a shame that a 600MHz processor was paired with such lacklustre hardware). The lack of the decent camera scares away the one last potential demographic for this phone the teenager on a budget. In fact, they should have just gotten rid of the camera itself and focused on improving the hardware specs. Remember the saying, "Jack of all trades, master of none?" Well, this phone is not even a jack of all trades. It nearly fails to perform any of its smartphone functions adequately.

The redeeming features of this phone are it's call quality, loud speakerphone and excellent GPS navigation app. However, if one wants to use the GPS, they need 3G internet access. That doesn't seem to be worth it when you consider that the web browser is annoying to use, and access to the OVI store is terribly slow. As Nokia makes plenty of phones with good call quality and loud speakerphones, one might as well just buy a normal Nokia cellphone at half the price. Stay away from this phone. In fact, when my parents get new phones from Wind's new lineup in December, I'll probably switch with one of them. For the meantime, I'll be using this thing as a phone, messaging device, GPS, and music player all of which are functions provided by the typical cellphone today.

Edit (September 13, 2011): I realize that I may have been a little too critical of this phone, so here's an update.

The Swype program comes standard with this phone, so typing has been made much easier. As you use the Swype function more, it gets better at guessing the word that you want to input. I find texting others and answering emails easy now that I have started using Swype. Also, once you install the Opera mobile web browser, browsing and loading pages becomes much faster. However, it does not support Flash so you'll have to resort to your default web browser for that. The OVI Apps store may be lacking in apps, but the OVI suite itself is well-designed and pretty easy to use. Transferring contacts, music, and photos is a breeze.

Again, while this phone has a resistive touchscreen, I just can't help but notice how well it is programmed. It's not too sensitive to be pressed accidentally but you only have to press down with a little pressure to press a button. When scrolling through songs in the music player, I found almost as easy as with the iPod's interface. Speaking of which, there is also a custom equalizer with much more settings than the average portable music player's.

I do have mores gripe about the S60 OS, however. To change profiles I always have to go to Menu -> Settings -> Personal -> Profiles, and then change my profile. This does become tedious after awhile, and one does wonder why Nokia didn't make it accessible from the home screen to begin with as many other manufacturers have. Sadly, the on-screen keyboard is simply too small, and with thick fingers like mine I can't really see what I'm typing sometimes, which makes it hard to use the Swype function.

One suggestion I have for potential buyers of this phone is to get a microSD card of at least 8GB and make sure that all downloaded apps are installed onto that instead of the phone memory. Even then, when I only have the Opera browser open the phone still runs out of memory.

My verdict is that this phone would be fine for those who usually text, talk, and listen to music a lot, but are also interested in accessing the internet from an ultraportable device. I am also raising my rating of this phone from 2 stars to 3 stars, as I've realized that my previous verdict was partly due to my unfamiliarity with the S60 OS, which has proven itself to be quite easy to use with a few exceptions.

Want Nokia C5-04 Unlocked GSM Phone with 5 MP Camera and Ovi Maps Navigation Optimized for T-Mobile--U.S. Discount?

Lamentablemente espere mucho por el envio a mi pais, para darme cuenta que el telefono que me vendieron no es el que ofrecieron, no tiene camara de 5 Mp sino de 2 Mp, no tiene WIFI, no acceso modificar o ver documentos de Office, no se conecta a Ovi Nokia Suite o a pc Siute, muestra la pantalla como si estuviese desbloqueado y realmente si lo esta atrasando las llamadas entrantes, si realmete hay una posibilidad de cambiar este equipo y me hagan una devolucion por favor devuelvamen mi dinero o me cambien el producto por otro que sea reamente lo que ofrezcan

Sony Walkman NWZS545BLK 16 GB Video MP3 Player (Black)

Sony Walkman NWZS545BLK 16 GB Video MP3 Player
  • 16 GB capacity for about 4,000 songs
  • Up to 42 hours of audio or 6.5 hours of video on a single charge
  • 2.4-inch, 262,144-color LCD with 240 x 320 QVGA pixel resolution
  • Supports MP3, WMA (DRM), AAC, and Linear PCM audio formats; AVC, MPEG-4, and WMV (DRM) video formats; JPEG image files
  • One-year limited warranty; 1 year parts, 90 days labor

When searching for a new mp3 player the trail always leads me back to Sony. Its more about overall quality then brand loyalty. Over the years Sony's Walkman line has gone the distance and more. The all new Sony S Series Walkman adds to the legacy.

The S-545 16gb Walkman brings it on with a crisp, color enhanced 2.4" LCD screen that is easy on the eyes. At 2" x 4" x .4", it comes in a bit larger then its older cousin. A larger body undoubtedly is required to provide support for the external speaker system. The speakers won't get confused with my home system anytime soon but they do provide an excellent source. With headphones on, this mp3 player delivers a cornucopia of sound. Missing but not that noticeable is the noise reduction feature. The on board equalizer can be tweaked to one's own preferences or users can choose one of the six presets.

The Navigation pad located directly under the screen is a breeze to operate. Three controls are located on the right side of the unit. One locks in the controls. The second one allows for easy switching from speaker to headset. Volume is the third control. The standard headphone jack and a USB port can be found on the bottom of the unit. The detachable flip out stand is an okay feature that allows for easy standing on my desk or shelf top. I would have preferred that it was permanently mounted.

The S-545 supports mp3, mp4, AAC, AVC, WMV, WMA, and PCM. PCM is Sony's version of WAV. It pairs well with Napster To Go. Its hit and miss with Rhapsody To Go. Sometimes its a smooth transfer, other times its not. Downloading my playlists from Windows Media Player was a breeze without the usual hiccups associated with older mp3 players.

Amazon video is a new option that is also supported. Video can be synced from my computer as well. I've never been big on downloading video to my player. I did download a couple of photographs on this model. The display was outstanding. Unlike my older Walkman, this model doesn't offer the wallpaper photo display option.

The built in FM tuner picked up all ten of my stations. With auto scanner functionality, thirty preset slots are available. The FM radio is crystal clear when using the headset as an antenna. The alarm and timer features are a nice add on. This model also has an impressive on board microphone located on the bottom of the unit. There are three voice settings. Voice playback quality was excellent. Battery life has always been biggie with Sony. On a full charge, I got almost a full thirty five hours of music.

The Sony Walkman S-545 16gb Mp3 player comes packed with a USB cable, flip stand, ear buds, installed operating manual and the standard one year warranty. Body finishes include; black and red in the 16GB model. Pink and violet are additional choices in the 8GB model.

Economically priced, this latest edition to the Walkman line is a durable and reliable product that delivers. Easy to use and loaded with features, the Sony S-545 is a prime time performer.

Buy Sony Walkman NWZS545BLK 16 GB Video MP3 Player (Black) Now

Great sounding and easy to use MP3 I have owned. I have had a Philips GoGear (froze and had to format all the time) a creative Zen (stopped working after 6 months) and a Zune 120 GB (great storage but not the best sounding MP3, plus a little to bulky when jogging). This is the easiest MP3 to use and the sound is great. For people who exercise, especially joggers, this is the perfect size and at 16GB holds quite alot of music. The screen size is only 2.4 but is very clear and once you use the transfer feature that comes with the player is easy to transfer photos and videos.

The speakers won't blow you away, but I got it for when I work outside in the garden and didn't want to haul out my speakers to plug in. Plus, when I am at work I can use it at the lunch table and not be rude when people sit with me and cannot listen to music. They do sound pretty good for the size, just an extra bonus on the player.

Last, a great price for an 16GB

Read Best Reviews of Sony Walkman NWZS545BLK 16 GB Video MP3 Player (Black) Here

I bought this to upgrade my current Sony MP3 Walkman which was the previous generation (NWZ-E436)and had probably one of the best sound quality of any mp3 player, much better than the ipod and this player continues that quality. I'd say it's slightly better than the previous generation due to the bass boost. The LED screen is about 0.5" bigger than the E series and also has built in speakers which are decent but fairly weak in volume. The S series is also bigger than the E series as well to accommodate the speakers and the larger LCD screen, but still remain about the same size as a credit card. The one caveat is that the resolution of the LCD display remains at 320x240 which is the same as the E series so visual quality is not improved upon. The menu system is very intuitive and easy to navigate through from watching videos, listening to the radio or mp3, and viewing pictures. Not sure why people would use a device this small to view pictures. Picture quality is good I suppose. Unfortunately, you can't zoom in on photos and the player has problems with large jpg files over 1MB so you'll need to resize photos in order to make it less than 1MB. The software included is the same as the previous generation which I didn't really bother with and most people won't either since it's much easier to use windows explorer and just use cut/copy & paste. In order to delete music you'll still need to hook up to a pc and delete it through windows explorer.

What separates this generation from the previous generation is the bass boost feature which does exactly what it says. Also, you now have the ability to record sound through the built in microphone which has adequate quality if you want to record a lecture. Another great feature added is the ability to record FM radio which only a few mp3 players allow due to copyright issues. The sound/music that you record can be deleted directly from the player without connecting to a computer which is convenient. Another thing I've noticed is that the sound level is a lot louder. On the NWZ-E436 I usually listened at level 21-24, but on this one I usually listen at level 14-19, where the maximum is 30.

Only certain types of videos are supported including mp4 and wmv with support for resolution up to 320x240. There's several free software available over the internet which can convert certain videos or dvd to mp4 or wmv. Not all of them will work. It's too bad Sony didn't include a video converter. Quality of video is adequate but nothing like the Zune HD which can play 1080p video and can connect to your tv. Video playback is smooth without stuttering and sound is excellent as well. When viewing videos in order to fast forward you'll need to press the right wheel or down wheel depending on how your video is oriented. For instance, if you view it vertically then you press the right wheel and conversely if you view it horizontally or panoramic then you'd press the down wheel. The included headphones is fair but I recommend buying a separate one. Make sure to buy an in-ear headphone to isolate sound. An affordable and high quality one is Creative EP-630 or EP-830 which also sounds better than the Klipsch S4 headphones that some review sites are touting over.

Other features include adjustable equalizers, clock, alarm, stand, and timer. The battery life is fairly long depending on how loud you listen and amount of video playback viewed. What's "missing" is wi-fi and internet connection, camera, touchscreen, games, and telephone that some people may be looking for in a one package device. If you want a complete package then get a blackberry, handheld pc, or next generation iphone. If you're looking for a great mp3 player with lots of features then this is probably the best mp3 player under $120. If you just want a great mp3 player for music, radio, and podcasts then get the E series which is cheaper with the same great sound quality.

Update: I've had this player for about a year now and it still works great considering the amount of abuse that it has received from being dropped onto concrete while jogging, placing them in my tight jeans with my keys and sitting on it, and placing them in the bathroom while taking a steamy shower. So far it has stalled only twice when the battery was running really low. I also decided to buy a Zune HD to consider replacing it but I surprisingly found that the sound quality on the Sony was much better even though the Zune costs upwards of $290. I'm thinking of returning the Zune HD but the video for that player is incomparable to any mobile device. I'm debating whether to try the Sony X series which also has the same video quality as the Zune and has even better sound quality but costs $400. Anyways, for anyone still debating whether to get this, if you only want a dedicated mp3 player for radio, music, and podcasts accept no substitute. This is the best period.

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I've stayed away from Sony products for a very long time. After hearing the reviews for this Walkman on the Cnet MP3 Insider podcast, I picked one up the same day. It's hard to beat the price for what you get. Large capacity and a small footprint. The sound quality is great, I love the preset and the custom EQ. If you like deep bass you can adjust it to your liking. One great feature is that you can sort the songs based on the ID3 tag information, but you can also search the file system in case your tags are not proper. I love how you can either use the included software to sync your songs or you can just drop your files onto the device. If you don't like the Sony software you can use MediaMonkey to manage your music. I'm glad they went with internal batteries because it made it possible to make the device much smaller. There are many features packed into this tiny DAP. The internal speakers are a nice touch. I think Sony did a fantastic job on this one.

I had an iPod for the last 5 years, and was fairly happy with it because I was stupid. The build quality of my iPod was good, and their scroll wheel is probably still the best. Every other category gets crushed by Sony's walkman. A major reason that I wanted to switch mp3 players was my hatred for iTunes. I wanted a player where I could just drag albums similar to a USB drive, and it would work. No 3rd party software required. The Sony does this. I can't tell you how nice it is to be able to just move over entire directories of music with one drag. Not only that, but I can copy the music off the player in the same way, unlike all Apple products.

The screen is nice and bright and crisp. No problems there. FM tuner works great. What's really remarkable about this player is 2 very very very key things about mp3 players: battery life and sound quality. Sony really crushes Apple here. My player really does get 42 hours of playback. This is really unbelievable. Sometimes it's just nice to know that you can leave for a weekend trip with your mp3 player charged, and not worry about running out of juice no matter how much you use it. Anyone who enjoys music enjoys hi fidelity in the sound quality. I use earbuds so that I can hear everything at low volume while also blocking out all of the outside world. With these types of headphones, you really hear how much better and fuller the music is on a Sony than an iPod.

So, on top of the fact that this player is about 30% cheaper as well, I will probably only buy Sony's from here on out. Really a great product. A couple of things I don't particularly like though: speakers suck and I'm not too sure why they are even on this unit. Very strange, but this doesn't detract at all from what the device is actually used for. The other downer is the scroll wheel/play button combo. Significantly too small and just not a totally smooth interface. I find it hard to believe that anyone would prefer this over Apple's interface--which is what all of their products are known for: nice interfaces, ok hardware, wrapped in 73 layers of proprietary crap.

Samsung 4-Inch Galaxy Player

Samsung 4-Inch Galaxy Player
  • Powered by Android 2.3.5 , with access to over 250,000apps including games, productivity software, and more
  • Uses a Wi-Fi connection (802.11 b/g/n) for Internet access
  • 8 GB internal storage with a microSD card slot for adding up to 32 GB
  • 4-inch super-clear LCD touchscreen with WVGA (800x480) resolution
  • 3.2-megapixel rear-facing camera and a VGA front-facing camera for video calling

My son got iPod Touch 8G (4th Gen) last Christmas and he likes it overall, but there were several issues that we are not so happy about. So, I've decided to try out the Galaxy Player for my daughter. I preordered it through Amazon and, with Amazon Prime, the Galaxy was delivered on Mon, Oct. 17, which was two full days earlier than promised. :-) So, here's what our family's experience has been over last two weeks.

Galaxy 4.0 vs. 5.0: I settled on 4.0 since it is mainly used as a music player and a hand-held game machine for my daughter and, thus, the smaller size makes it more convenient for her to carry it around. I did try out Dell with a 5-inch screen at BestBuy to get the feel for larger 5" screen, and, although I liked it better for web surfing and videos, I felt the 4" would be just fine for her. So, if you are going to use the Galaxy to stream shows over NetFlix or consume media on the web, then you might be better off with 5.0.

Galaxy vs. iPod Screen: There's only an half inch difference between them, however Galaxy looks much larger and much, much brighter than iPod. Although iPod has slightly higher mechanical resolution at 960x640 than Galaxy's at 800x480, I like the Galaxy's screen better and find it to be easier to look at than iPod's.

Galaxy vs. iPod Sound:

(1) For both machines, sounds coming out of earphones are nothing special. Some earlier post mentioned that the Galaxy's earphones are 'crappy/horrible', but in my opinion, they are pretty much dead even; iPod's earphones are equally 'crappy/horrible'. So, if you want much better sound quality, I recommend you to buy a set of more expensive earphones. For non-audiophile, both of them are adequate and serviceable.

(2) For sounds from built in speakers, Galaxy is much better than iPod. Galaxy produces clearer and more crisp stereo sounds than iPod does.

(3) For in-car sounds, they are comparable. They both generate much better sounds than through earphones.

Galaxy vs. iPod Web surfing: For Youtube videos, Galaxy performs faster than iPod. For other general websites, iPod tend to be slightly faster, but it is because many websites have flash contents and Galaxy loads all of them. Actually, I do like the fact that you can view all the videos on the regular Youtube site with Galaxy; it's not limited to just Youtube Mobile videos. Also, that small difference in screen size makes a big difference in viewing web pages, so Galaxy shines here.

Galaxy vs. iPod Apps/Games: It depends on whichever app/game you prefer. For my daughter, Galaxy has a full range of free games/apps that she can play, including Angry Birds, so it's a non-issue.

Galaxy vs. iPod Battery: Yes, we all could use longer lasting batteries. But we found Galaxy's battery to be excellent for music listening and video playing. However, if you play games all the time, then you'll find both Galaxy and iPod batteries to be inadequate.

Galaxy vs. iPod File Management: If you're married to iTunes, you are going to like iPod better, but I found iTunes to be extremely buggy and slow, not to mention very limiting. So, it felt very refreshing not to have to be tied to iTunes to manage my files. In addition, I didn't have to convert videos to play on Galaxy since it plays most of the known video types. Again, if you're tied to iTunes and don't know what else to do, go with iPod. But if you want flexibility and know what you're doing, Galaxy is better.

Galaxy vs. iPod Camera: This is one of main gripes that I've had with iPod. Galaxy's camera wins, hands down. Also, Galaxy handled Skype video chat with ease and we didn't have any issues with casual picture taking. However, if you want to take really high quality pictures, buy a separate digital camera.

In summary, my son likes his iPod and my daughter is happy with her Galaxy. However, if I'm interested in a media player/mobile internet device and wouldn't want a phone/data contract, I'll definitely pick Galaxy over iPod Touch. I'm actually considering buying Galaxy 5.0 myself this Christmas. :-)

Buy Samsung 4-Inch Galaxy Player Now

This is a review of the 4 inch model. I bought this mainly for it's ability to surf the web and check email at WIFI hot spots, as I was searching for an economical solution of not lugging around a laptop on trips, and I did not want to incur expensive monthly smartphone / data charges.This unit is very lightweight, slim, and easily slips unnoticed into a pocket.

Until this came out, there was only one other choice: the Apple iPod touch. I evaluated both and decided on Samsung for the following:

Easily replaceable / accessible battery

Wins the "drop" test (see various videos on the web)

Expandable memory (just drop in a microSDHC card)

Larger screen

Tip: I went to Samsung's Website and downloaded and read the complete 140+ page manual, to get familiar with this unit before purchase, and also to quickly get it up and running when it arrived.

WiFi: I can honestly say that this unit exceeded my expectations. When it arrived, the unit charged up quickly ( 1 hr). I headed out to our local library to check the WIFI, and it was excellent. Pages loaded quickly. No dropped connections. I repeated this at several other hotspots around town, all good. Although the screen display resolution (800 x400) is arguably not as nice as the Ipod's retinal display, it was nice and clear, even when "pinched" to high magnifications.YouTube videos played with ease. I was quickly able to set up all my bookmarks, set up all my email accounts, customize the home screen to my liking, and load a few free android apps all within an hour.

Battery life: very reasonable; able to surf for all day with music in the background and still had some battery power left. Tip: turn of the WiFi and GPS when not needed. It is easy to access this functionjust swipe a finger from the top of the screen downwardsyou now have a quick menu to turn these functions on or off. Also you can access the "task manager" wigit and shut down all running programs not needed.

Music player: It synced very easily to all my tunes stored on my Windows media player software on my laptop. The earbuds provided with the unit are a step above the usual cheapies, with a pause and skip button. They fit snugly and comfortably into the ear canal (silicone) to block out external sounds and give a better listening experience. Sound is average.

Warranty: It is 1 year. Initially I could not find any warranty info,so I called Samsung to confirm this. I was able to speak to a customer rep quickly, which is nice.

This unit is based on Samsung's famous Galaxy smartphone series. It Comes with a 1 Ghz processor (not dual core), 512 Mb RAM, 8Gb memory (expandable to 64 Gb with external micro card) and Android's 2.3.5 Gingerbread software platform. It has 3.2 MP camera (no flash on this 4" model, only the 5" has flash), and GPS, It is basically a smartphoone without the phone.

Warranty is 1 year.

One annoying note: if you accidentaly push the volume control bar simultaneously with the power on button when you initially turn on the unit (easy to do, they are on opposite ends) the unit goes into a scary "download mode" . It's eay to get out, just power the unit completely off then on again.

Read Best Reviews of Samsung 4-Inch Galaxy Player Here

For people who've wanted the capabilities of a smart phone, without the hefty monthly bill, the iPod touch was the best available option. The Galaxy Player provides another alternative. For me the Galaxy Player had the advantage with a removable battery and a mini-SD card slot.

I primarily wanted a device that would easily sync with my Outlook calendar for work and my Google calendar for everything else. The Galaxy Player performs this function flawlessly. It easily hooked up to both of my accounts and shows them in a common calendar without any additional set up. It may give you a prompt about not saving items to Samsung's Kies calendar, but this is irrelevant and can be ignored. The Galaxy easily connected with other Google accounts I use such as Gmail and Google+.

Once you set up a wifi connection in the device it will remember it and automatically switch to that connection when it becomes available. This means I can go from home, to work, to a cafe, and it will connect to each network without any input from me. About the only time I'm without a wifi connection is in the car, and I was pleasantly surprised the the maps and driving directions continued to function adequately with no internet.

As a media player the device performs well. It sounds good and I found it easy to use. Videos are crisp and vibrant. The battery allows me to get through a day of regular use without needing to recharge.

The biggest disappointment (and why this isn't a 5 star review) is the camera. The Galaxy 4's camera has a poor auto focus that only seems to work half the time. It needs a fair amount of light to take pictures that are not blurry. The camera controls are also poorly designed when compared to the controls for the rest of the device.

There were two other minor issues as well. I found the auto brightness feature a little irritating and eventually disabled it. The Google Sky Map did not function correctly until I turned off the magnetism adjustment and restarted the app.

Overall I'm very happy with the Galaxy Player strongly recommend it to anyone who is looking for wifi-based smart phone alternative.

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If you dont like reading or want to see the device here is a video review:

Form/Design: The player is very light me and saleswoman both agreed. For its size you would think it would be alot heavier but it is a nice weight and fits comfortably in the hand. Its is easy to use with either 2 hands or one to control the whole screen.

The player looks really sexy haha, people have said it looks like a white iphone from the back at a quick glance. Everyone asks me if i got a new phone and i say no, and they start to tell me i did its kind of funny to watch people fight about it cause noones heard of it

Screen: The screen looks great, and i choose the 4.0 for this reason. the 5.0 has the same resolution so i figured this screen would look better with a higher pixel density. looks the crisp and colors stay true from all viewing angels. the screen is different from the galaxy s but it looks just as good

Performance: Runs smooth, very responsive, i haven't got it to lag at all, and as far as i know it doesnt heat up much either.

Headphones: I love the headphones that came with this, comfortable and good quality.

Camera: 3.2 rear facing camera is surprisingly good quality with a res of 2048x1536. It also records 720p but the audio on the videos isnt too good, and it wont let you record with the vga (front) camera :(

Reception: Everyone thinks its a phone and will continue to think so until you tell them. Then once you say its like an ipod touch they add in "except way better" its pretty amazing how people are drawn to it

Battery: I have had some weird stuff happen with the battery. It should last you all day, but whenever your not using it put it on idle, the display uses 50-60 percent of the battery on the lowest brightness. Also be aware of applications that use WiFi, they will use wifi even if you exit them in the task manger.

Its a galaxy phone without the phone part, and i love it. I prefer this over the ipod touch and would recommend this to anyone looking for an ipod or mp3 and more. i use this for way more then audio and video its a great device

Ok, first off I would have given this 5 stars if the wifi wasn't a little fritzy. It works, but it shuts down and starts back up periodically all by itself. So far I have not found a fix for this but I am hoping Samsung is working on it since I am not the only one who has posted this problem.

Ok, now for the good news.

Other than the above, this unit has surpassed all my expectations. It is fast, has enough processing power and memory to get the job done and with a $35 microSD card at 32GB this unit now is a 40GB unit. (Eat that Apple!)

Even with the Wifi issues I have been able to use it to view you tube videos, download new android apps, and browse the internet.

The screen is nothing short of amazing. Everyone I show it to cannot believe how crisp and clear it is. The colors are vibrant and deep. It makes the screen of the ipod look like yesterday's news. There really is no comparison.

Also, I have to say it is really nice to be able to load media directly to this unit without rooting or using special software like the crappy itunes garbage software. (I say this from experience because I used itunes for about a week, it is slower than molasses running on win7 with a 2.4Ghz quad core with 3GB Ram) Every movie (.avi, .mp4, .mpeg, etc.) has played on it without a problem. You can load .mp3 files right on it and play them with no problem (which is the main reason I bought this.)

Oh yeah! I almost forgot to mention. The sound quality with headphones is incredible. Crisp and clear with plenty of volume to spare. I have noticed that is another downfall of the ipod, it lacks in quality of sound a little, but really lacks in volume. This unit has stereo speakers on it that provide ample volume but of course do not sound nearly as good as headphones. It is nice for games and movies on the go though.

The GPS works nice too. You have to load the maps ahead of time because of the lack of internet access on the road, but as long as you load the maps ahead of time, the navigation works like a charm.

Well, guess I will stop now. My conclusion is this unit crushes the ipod. It is far superior.

Sony Dream Machine Dual Alarm Clock CD Player with AM / FM Stereo Radio Tuner, Digital Display, Exte

Sony Dream Machine Dual Alarm Clock CD Player with AM / FM Stereo Radio Tuner, Digital Display, Extendable Snooze, Large LED Display with Brightness Control, Compact Space Saving Design and Audio Input with Cable to Connect Any iPod, MP3 or Tape Cassette Players *BONUS* DBsonic CD Player Lens Cleaner Included
  • Digital Display AM/FM Stereo Tuner Lets you choose from a wide variety of radio, talk and music programming. / Bright, large numbers make this clock easy to read with 1.4" Green LED Clock Display / Brightness Control Allows you to adjust the brightness of the display between High, Medium & Low / Compact Space Saving Design
  • Plays CD-R/RW discs burned either in a PC or a home recording deck. Create custom mixes from your existing personal music collection and always have the right music at hand.
  • Dual Alarm Allows you to set two separate wake-up times (Like His & Hers) and gives you 3 different alarm options wake up to a your slected CD, any of your favorite radio stations or the original sounding BUZZER.
  • Audio Input Allows simple plug and play integration with any additional music device such as iPod, MP3, Cassette Player or Even a Turntable, via a 3.5mm jack. & included cable
  • Extendable Snooze Gives you the freedom to choose your personal snooze time instead of having to settle for the standard time intervals of other alarms. Each press of the snooze bar adds an additional 10 minutes to your snooze time, up to a full hour without having to reset the alarm.

Pros:

1) The big (1.4"inch tall), dimmable numbers display is easy to read w/o my glasses (not coincidentally, my preference for sleeping) and is readable well off-axis (at least by contrast to the more modern looking back-lit displays which have poor off-access readability and can brighten a room beyond tolerable when dimmed all the way and you are trying to sleep.)

2) The buttons are logically placed, labeled well enough, and reasonably big and few.

3) Speakers on both sides prevent it from being loud to one person while inaudible to the other.

4) It is heavy enough to stand its ground in the face of flailing-blindly-in-the-night button groping.

5) Substantiating my assertion that it is easy to learn to use the instruction manual is only one sheet of paper with about a foot of column length to teach you how to use it

6) For the $ (under $40 at Best Buy,) it's pretty good especially considering that all things CD are a dying breed.

Cons:

1) No back-up battery but I knew this going in and bought it anyway.

2) The wording is a little misleading on the box but it is definitely not a digitally tuned radio, as one astute reviewer revealed. It does pull stations in at least as well as its predecessor and the tuning dial is located well out of harm's way.

3) Only CDs play in stereo not FM. Even knowing this, I can still sleep at night.

4) The CD's volume is less than the radio's so if you plan to go to sleep to the radio and wake to a CD, you just might sleep through it's that different.

Buy Sony Dream Machine Dual Alarm Clock CD Player with AM / FM Stereo Radio Tuner, Digital Display, Exte Now

The website description stated it has a Digital Tuner "Digital Display AM/FM Stereo Tuner". It has an analog tuner. I want a digital tuner so I can have multiple stations set.

Read Best Reviews of Sony Dream Machine Dual Alarm Clock CD Player with AM / FM Stereo Radio Tuner, Digital Display, Exte Here

I Loved this clock for three years.

Pros great for listening to my CD to get to sleep, dual alarms, Radio picked up signals from super far away.

Consno battery backup, did not withstand abuse by four year old.

I recommend this alarm clock only if you can keep younger kids away from it.

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This is my third Dream Machine and it does not disappoint. The low light setting on the dial is perfect and it's easy to set and operate. Love it!

I used standard shipping and received this item less than 24 hours from when it was ordered. That seems fairly good to me. The radio works fine although I wish the reception was a little better, it is however typical of a radio that uses the line cord as an antennae. I like the dual controls for the dual alarms and the ability to go forward and back when setting the time, instead of having to go all the way around on the 24 hour clock. Sound is not as good as a stereo system but seems better than most inexpensive alarm clocks. All in all, I am very pleased with my purchase.

CableJive dockXtender Premium Dock Extender Cable for iPhone, iPod, iPad (2 foot black)

CableJive dockXtender Premium Dock Extender Cable for iPhone, iPod, iPad
  • Totally redesigned in May 2012, new connectors work with every case, cover, & skin on the planet!
  • Full-functionality 30-pin dock extender cable for iPad, iPhone, and iPod
  • Revolutionary 2-tier shielding system reduces interference
  • Compatible with Composite HD video accessories (*incompatible with VGA & HDMI)
  • Durable, yet more flexible than you can imagine

Works great! My wife and I just upgraded our iPhone 3G's to the iPhone 4. She went with the Otterbox Defender case and I went with the Speck Candyshell. Neither case allowed our iPhone 4's to dock with our Sony XDR-S10HDiP HD radio's iPod/iPhone port. Since taking off the case is a pain I started shopping for Dock to Dock extension cables. There are less expensive options than the CableJive, but many of them get poor reviews because they don't provide full functionality (some only charge the device, but don't transmit audio. Others can't charge the device, etc.). This was the cable I found that seemed to do it all, so I figured it would be worth $25. It connects easily with both the Defender and Candy Shell case. It charges the iPhone 4, and we get to use our awesome sounding dock again!

We actually prefer using this cable to using just the dock in the Sony. It was always a bit difficult to line up your iPhone to dock it, and once docked it was really awkward to control your audio apps. The cable is easier to connect, and you can just set your iPhone on top of the dock and then pick it up when you want to control the app you're listening to.

Is it overpriced? I don't know... I would probably feel that way if it cost $40 or more. It seems well made and does what it says it will do. Is it "Thinner than you can imagine?" Well... the standard Apple USB to Dock cable is thinner AND more flexible, so I'm not sure what they are boasting about. Not that I care about how thin and flexible it is. I just wanted a simple cable that will fit any iPhone 4 case and allow me to charge the iPhone while playing audio through our Sony speaker dock, and this cable does all of the above.

I gave it four stars not because it disappointed me in any way. I just think of 5 stars as being for something that really blows me away at how awesome it is, and it's hard to get that excited about a cable. I am very happy with it though.

Buy CableJive dockXtender Premium Dock Extender Cable for iPhone, iPod, iPad (2 foot black) Now

I use the cable to connect an iphone 4 in an Otter case to a Bose docking station. I do get a warning that the device is not optimized for the iphone and that I may have noise caused by cellular interference and a decrease in cellular signal strength. I haven't noticed any problems, Pandora works great, no problems with the connectors and it charges the battery. So far I am quite pleased with the extender.

Read Best Reviews of CableJive dockXtender Premium Dock Extender Cable for iPhone, iPod, iPad (2 foot black) Here

This extender works just Perfect with my Iphone 3GS. I use the Otter Box case and needed a extender cord that will not only work with the Otter Box case but also with the Logitech S715i Rechargeable Speaker System. This Works Perfect, No Problems with Transfer of Video or music signal. Leaving the case on the Iphone in My Izel stand which holds the phone in the case perfect. Everything works with the Otter Box case on, no need to remove the case off and on. All purchased off of Amazon. All Delivered in perfect Time. So if you are looking for the perfect Alternative To the Bose Sound Doc that cost $599 to this Logitech that was $99, I will say this was it. What a Deal just ask Cnet. If you are looking for the Perfect extender power cord to use with the Otter Box case that will fit the case without removing it ,no sanding down the sides of the extender to fit the Otter Box Case or anything and it fits the Logitech S71i, this is it. Cost $24. If you want a stand that is solid and will fit the Iphone and Otter Box case Perfect, The Izel Iphone stand also perfect. Cost $19

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Avoid this product for now. The issues with it are particularly of concern given that this product has a relatively high price for a dock extension cable.

One would think that a high price comes with high quality, consistency and a depth of testing. Not so, not yet.

This last email to CableJive customer service should give you an idea of the problems with the new docXtender cable:

Hi Zack

I did receive the replacement docXtender on Friday, and returned the defective first docxtender on Monday. Unfortunately, the second docXtender cable still has the same problems after several days of testing with two iPod compatible products. This confirms my initial concerns expressed in my prior emails to you that the docXtender has not been properly tested across the marketplace of Apple compatible products with iPod/iPhone, and there are perhaps design flaws.

To review, the docXtender, including the second one you sent to me, has a poor connector to my iPod Touch (skin removed or no skin). When tested again with my FM transmitter, the connection is very touchy. I typically have to hold pressure on the connection to the iPod to retain stereo sound, or in many cases, retain pressure just to have single speaker or broken audio.

Futhermore, the connection is also flakey with my iPod Touch to the MStation Tower as mentioned below; I have to hold pressure on the connection from the DocXtender to the MStation Tower. However, if I remove the docXtender, and plug my iPod Touch directly to the mStation 2.1 Stereo Tower for iPod by mStation Audio shown here: http://www.amazon.com/mStation-2-1-Stereo-Tower-iPod/dp/B000GG1P16, audio plays perfectly; the docXtender cable introduces broken audio or audio playing out of one speaker.

I am disappointed that two docXtender cables fail to work as advertised or properly each with two different iPod compatible products. Please give me a full refund of the price paid. I must go in another direction in my goal to achieve consistent quality stereo sound through my iPod Touch with the skin remaining on the IPod Touch.

I hope that cableJive is able to more fully test and resolve the issues with the new docXtender cable.

Thanks,

Todd

NOTE: CableJive did provide a full refund.

I bought this cable after doing much research because I saw that many other cables were of low quality. While more than the other brands, and more than any 3-foot cable should cost, I do believe the cable is of good quality. It works as advertised as well. But, there are a couple of issues.

I was hoping that the connector ends were no larger than the normal iPhone charging cable provided by Apple. My Griffin case for the iPhone 4S is made to permit that size of connector to plug in to the iPhone for charging/syncing. Anything bigger either won't fit or requires pressure to wedge in and I was hopeful that the CableJive would be a perfect fit given it works with Otterbox cases, which are known for not leaving a large opening for the 30-pin charge/sync cable. Unfortunately, the CableJive is slightly bigger than the Apple cable. Why manufacturers cannot adhere to the same size is truly beyond my comprehension. In my case, I have to apply significant pressure to get the CableJive to plug in to my iPhone with the Griffin case on.

The other issue is that sometimes after having this cable plugged in to my iPhone, the volume goes to 100% and can't be changed and the volume indicator is stuck on the screen. The only fix is to power cycle the iPhone. The latter issue may not be their fault, it may be something with iOS, but it only occurs after having this cable plugged in. It's as if the connectors aren't simply passing the signal through and somehow something is fouling up because of it.

Overall, it's a good cable, but it may not work for you. Their site does include details on which cases it is compatible with and others they know with which it is not compatible. So check before you buy. And if your case is customized to only fit the Apple cable, you may want to think twice about dropping money on this expensive cable.

JBL OnStage IIIP 30-Pin iPod/iPhone Speaker Dock

JBL OnStage IIIP 30-Pin iPod/iPhone Speaker Dock
  • Supports most iPhone and iPod models with 30-Pin Dock Connector
  • 3.5-mm mini jack allows connection of other audio devices such as MP3 and CD players, desktop computers, satellite radios, and laptops
  • Odyssey transducers and Slipstream port design provide a full, rich frequency response
  • Includes an RF remote control with full iPod navigation

90% of portable iPod speakers are garbage. I listened to many of them. I also listened to the Bose and similar "portable" speakers that run upwards of $200 and more. They sound good but are really not very portable. And >$150 for an iPod speaker doesn't make sense to me. Skip the cheaper ones unless you think the iPhone's internal speaker sounds great because that's the sound you get from the cheap ones a tinny distorted mid-high sound. I spend a lot of time and effort on my home systems. I have two full systems in my home. One is a full analog system with a turntable and tube amplifier. The other is a full solid-state system with digital transport and separate digital/analog converter. I take good sound seriously. However, I'm not one of those asshats that spends $20,000 on a stereo system. That being said. This speaker is outstanding at what it is designed to do. This little thing sounds great. It is worth the $100. I have played my iPhone 3GS through it with NO PROBLEMS. The people who hear it are all impressed with the sound. It has good bass, which is the toughest thing for something this size to do. I highly recommend it. JBL deserves credit for a good product at a good price.

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I don't normally write reviews. I use them all the time but I don't like to take the time to write one. I am writing because I think this is a very good product. Perfect, almost. The sound quality is very good. We purchased it because we wanted something small that we could pack for vacations that had good sounds. This is relatively small with a great sound that fills a room with clear sounds. My only complaint about is it has a very nice small remote control. This is great and works good BUT it is very small and easy to loose. They could of used just a little engineering logic and put a small place in the base that it could be stored so it would be harder to get seperated from the base. Other then that, I highly recommend this if you are looking for a relatively small unit with great sound. I take it out by our pool and it really projects and we have a noisy road behind my house.

Read Best Reviews of JBL OnStage IIIP 30-Pin iPod/iPhone Speaker Dock Here

I've had previous versions of this product and find this one much improved.

It does work with my iPhone 3G, including the charging.

Improved sound quality.

Battery powered (optional)

The only downgrade with respect to past versions is the remote control:

Less intuitive buttons. Difficult to operate in the dark

Dependent on Infrared, instead of the old RF. This means you need direct line of sight to the unit for it to work.

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I've owned older versions of the JBL On Stage line and this one has been the best experience yet. The sound produced from this model is great and gets loud enough without distortion to use in any environment. When you first dock an iPod or iPhone with it and begin playing, it starts out on a low volume setting so you have to turn it up each time you dock it but it keeps you from being blasted out like the older models did. I haven't bothered to use this one running on the 6 AA batteries since I've always been somewhere with AC power for it. I've only used this with the original iPhone. There are some changes Apple made to how the 3G iPhones charge that although they will play music through older devices, they'll display an error message when you first connect them. With the original iPhone this speaker worked perfectly, though.

Save 35% Off

I just purchased this speaker dock for my new iPhone 3GS, and I love it. It works perfectly. The sound is great; there's no need for a special adapter (like another user said there was); there is ZERO feedback/interference heard (which is huge for me and the reason I returned a different product by a different manufacturer); it's compact/portable; and it charges your phone for you while you listen to music! What more can you ask for??

Well, the one thing I would ask for is a lower price. In fact, having to pay $133.99 for this unit was the only reason I gave it four stars instead of five. I'd actually rate the unit itself as a five star unit and the price a one star. It's just too expensive. But unfortunately, I couldn't find another (cheaper) product that has all the features that I wanted like this one does. And this one sure did live up to it's promises.

Ultimately, I'd buy it again.

******* UPDATE 9/14/11 *******

Well, two years later I can see that the price did come down. My original unit is still working great, so I just bought a second one. Now I have one for the house and one for work. I still think this is a great product. With the lower price, I'd give it 5 stars.