I Need A New Alarm Clock

I need a new iPod alarm clock. If you have not heard, the new iPods can no longer be charged via a Firewire connection. My iPod alarm clock uses Firewire (it is old). I have been looking around for a new one. Here are three that I would love for anyone to get for me.

This is taken from a USA Today news story on new iPod Accessories by Marc Saltzman

Alarm clocks built for iPods are old news. Heck, virtually every hotel I’ve stayed at over the past year offers them. But a few new models have surfaced recently with some interesting bells and whistles, including iPhone support.

As with their predecessors, these new “clock docks” are designed to keep on your nightstand or dresser, and ship with adaptors to fit various iPod models (and a regular audio-in port for non-iPod music players). Docking your device not only charges its battery, but also allows you to listen to your favorite music, podcasts or audiobooks through its speakers, as well as select a song or playlist to wake up to in the morning.

These following models, however, go above and beyond this basic functionality. Flip over thisiPhone or iPod touch users who enjoy watching videos on their device must hold it horizontally to view the widescreen presentation. But this can be difficult when it’s docked in a compatible clock radio since most iPods are snapped in vertically. Now you can have best of both worlds: the iHome iH41 ($79.99; ihomeaudio.com) is the first iPod/iPhone docking station that can be tilted on its side to watch video. What’s more, a built-in sensor automatically flips the time and other text for you, making it easily visible on the illuminated LCD screen. You can keep this horizontal orientation to flip through your music (via Cover Flow) or turn the iH41 back upright, if you prefer.

As with other iHome models, this decent-sounding clock lets you wake up to an iPod song or video (and includes a snooze button if you need more zees). You can also plug in an non-iPod MP3 player into the line-in jack and it offers an optional battery backup in case of power failure. The iH41, however, doesn’t include an AM/FM radio. Plus it’s not officially iPhone compatible so you’ll have to put it in airplane mode to avoid wireless interference.

Double it upWith more than 160 million iPods sold since 2001, chances are you have at least two of them kicking around your home. If this is the case, the iLuv iMM173 ($129.99; i-luv.com) might be for you. It’s the first “dual dock” alarm clock for the iPod and iPhone, allowing you to plug two models into the top of the unit to charge overnight and listen to music from either one.
Each docking tray houses a universal base that fits all iPod or iPhone models with a dock connector (therefore excluding the first three generations of iPods) and it also includes a standard 3.5mm audio-in jack for other MP3 players. To prevent interference, this iLuv model is properly shielded to prevent TDMA noise when an iPhone is docked. The 10 watts of total power is ample for a bedroom (with jAura soundcell technology for crisp acoustic audio), plus the oversized LCD display and remote let you easily navigate through its features, such as dual alarm clock, FM radio with eight presets, LCD dimmer, music or buzzer options, and more.

Wireless wonderIt’s the mother of all iPod alarm clocks -- the top-of-the-line iHome iP47 ($199.99; ihomeaudio.com) offers a full-sounding audio system for your iPod or iPhone. As with the iLuv iMM173, you need not put it in airplane mode in order to dock and use an iPhone, plus you can wirelessly dial and receive calls through its speakerphone (with built-in mic) and see caller ID info on the large LCD display.

Have another cell phone instead of the iPhone? No problem, as the iP47 is also Bluetooth-enabled so you can pair any nearby compatible phone (up to 30 feet away) to receive and place calls. And if your phone or laptop supports Bluetooth Stereo (A2DP) you can wireless stream music from your handset or PC to this great-sounding 4-speaker alarm clock. Features of the iP47 include a dual alarm clock; iPod/iPhone music, buzzer or AM/FM radio wake options; and full-featured remote with snooze.