The internet is the best friend of almost every human being in the world nowadays. It’s the most widely used, most frequently talked to, and most accessed form of media in the entire planet. I myself am nuts over this media and the many social networking systems that I join in, and what better way to express my love for the internet than to have the Sony Dash Personal Internet Viewer? I have to explain why it’s such an awesome addition to my bedside table, and not only that, and extremely lovable gift for my mom this Christmas.

Design

Who wouldn’t love that sleek black finish that the Dash wears? It’s a frame in itself that can stand on its own without you worrying that it might fall and break. It’s very simple to look at if you observe its design. There are no frills, no unnecessary gadgets and add-ons, and absolutely no appendages that add clutter to the device. It’s simple, straightforward, and bare. The Dash has absolutely nothing to hide.

It’s also very handy with a mere weight of 1.2 pounds. But the problem would be not on the size of the Dash, but on its power source, which you constantly have to plug in. There’s no back-up battery and that’s quite disappointing if you want to use it outdoors and even take it on trips. But well, the Dash is an alarm clock apart from everything else, and perhaps it’s designed for home use only. But it does have a clock battery back-up to save the time zone, date, and time in case of a power outage, and when the power comes back, you don’t have to reset anything, except perhaps the internet connection settings.

Video

The 7’’ touch screen LCD display is all you need to navigate through the Dash’s system. Everything you have to do is within a flick of the finger and a press of a button. But there are some issues regarding its touch sensitivity, though, and I get this all the time when I use the Dash. You have to press or flick twice or thrice before you get what you need. It’s annoying if you tend to focus on that fact, but otherwise, it’s completely tolerable.

The screen has good resolution and nice graphic and color qualities. It’s actually very interactive, and you’ll love browsing through Facebook photos and reading Tweets on this device. The screen might be small, but the features are big, and that pretty much makes up for everything else.

Audio

The Dash supports various file types including MPEG-1 Layers I, II, MP3, MPEG-4, and WMA. Its built-in stereo speakers are pretty decent for such a small device. You can listen to music online through various widgets and apps that are originally installed in the Dash, and you can also use an external source like an MP3 player or a USB flash drive. It also has an audio out headphone jack so you can listen to your favorite songs privately while browsing the internet for the latest news, checking your social networking site accounts for updates, and you can also watch movies and programs online.

Clock

Although the internet is its prized feature, the Dash is in its nature a genuine alarm clock and it has all the features you need to wake you up on time. You can set custom alarms and use different sounds for your alarm like internet radio stations, MP3 files from your USB or MP3 player, built-in music files in the Dash, or even a video clip like a music video, movie trailer, or commercial.

Other Features

The Dash has no remote control, but there’s no point in having one because it’s touch screen, handy, and you need to work on it up close and personal to have the best viewing experience of your internet activities. The Dash has up to 1,000 various apps and widgets that you can use to personalize your screen. Set your own wallpaper or use different widgets to fill your screen and keep yourself updated with the latest in the entertainment industry as well as current events.

One thing, though, that you have to remember is that you should have a wireless network active in your household or in the place where you want to use the Dash because without the internet, it’s virtually useless. There are also some issue regarding the device’s slow response time, perhaps because its system is not as capable as it should be if it was truly designed for heavy internet traffic use. Despite the speedy internet connection, the slow responses of the Dash make movie and video viewing inconvenient, and the responses of the widgets themselves are not as agile as real internet devices like smart phones and computers.

Conclusion

For its price, I’d say the Dash is a fair bargain. But it has some points that need to be redone by Sony. Nonetheless, I am happy with it and I am still thinking of getting one for my mom because she loves looking at our photos on Facebook and she often talks about needing an alarm clock to wake her early. Anyway, if you set aside the flaws of the Sony Dash Personal Internet Viewer, you would still get the essence of the device, which is an alarm clock. And truly, I recommend it to anyone who just wants additional entertainment from an internet-enabled device, and an alarm clock that’s not too flashy but still innovative.

Boomboxes are some cool stuff that I enjoy having, since I am a great music lover. And with an iPod at hand, I must say the Sony ZS-S2iP CD Boombox is my favorite model. It has an iPod dock that’s perfect for amplifying my favorite iTunes and playing my latest soundtracks. To give you more insight, here’s a closer look at the product.

Design

As a boombox, it’s not as bulky as other models. It weighs around 2.6 kilos and has the dimensions of 14.25’’ x 5.6’’ x 9.4’’. It’s handy for me, since I like to bring the device everywhere I go, especially on road trips, and it can fit in any spot or corner I put it in. You can’t miss the nice black finish that makes it a hardy piece of music maker. It looks tough, and I think it is too. It’s a nice addition to the home entertainment system and it fits perfectly in any room or house.

It has a simple, straightforward design which only has functions for the important features. No hassles with the buttons. Everything has its own place – the CD on top, the speakers on either side, the iPod in the middle front – and you can use them all at once.

Video

There’s not much to say about the LCD display which only shows the track number on the CD being played, or the title of the song and artist of the song played from the iPod. It’s a one-line LCD display that’s just for easier navigation.

Audio

This is the feature that needs more attention. The boombox is designed to provide extreme entertainment through the best quality sound and audio output. The stereo speakers have an 8-cm diameter and an output power of 1.7W + 1.7W, making it great for loud sound quality. It also has a Mega Bass sound system that produces rich, deep, bass tones for more powerful overall sound. Loud bass doesn’t sound cracked or unclear.

The digital radio tuner easily allows you to find your favorite frequency and produces accurate, drift-free tuning to capture every station with the best and sharpest sound quality. It also has auto scan which makes browsing for radio stations much easier. You can also save 10 of your favorite AM stations and 20 of your favorite FM stations as preset frequencies so you don’t have to auto scan every time you want to listen to the radio.

The CD player accommodates almost all types of CD and DVD media, either originally produced or burned from a personal computer. It’s easy to use the CD player because you simply have to load your CD on the top loading rack, play the music, and enjoy.

Other Features

The device also has optional connectivity with MP3 devices. It’s also compatible with batteries so you can use it anywhere you want, given that you have 6 C batteries always at hand. You can also use headphones on the device because it has an audio out jack, and you can play from external music players and devices through an audio in jack.

It also has a remote control for added ease of use, so you can navigate through the device without having to stand up and walk to it. The iPod dock is also another functional addition to the system, which charges the iPod while being played so you don’t have to worry about losing power in the middle of a sound trip or dance rehearsals.

Conclusion

If you want a great boombox that’ll give you excellent quality sound and flexible audio sources, I have to recommend the Sony ZS-S2iP CD Boombox. I find it very functional and great for use whenever I have my exercise routines at the park or when I play my favorite songs while relaxing at home. So if you want to experience the satisfaction I do now, I suggest you try this baby out.

If you’re like me who loves my iPhone, the perfect alarm clock that you could get must be the Sony ICF-CL75iP Speaker Dock with Alarm Clock, Radio, and 7-Inch LCD. This is a great new innovation that Sony offers for all iPhone and iPod users. I myself am completely happy with this model, and I have to share it with you so you can discover what’s so great about this model.

Design

The ICF-CL75iP is beautifully crafted to fit in any home décor and room. It’s big enough to display its stunning 7’’ LCD screen but it’s small enough to steadily stand on any tabletop. It’s most preferable in the bedroom on the bedside table, on the kitchen counter, and on the living room coffee table or side table.

Weighing 2.2 pounds and measuring 8.12’’ x 5.85’’ x 4.75", you can easily move it from one room to another to accommodate your needs and desires. Its black finish is durable with wear and tear, and if taken good care of, the machine can last for several years.

It’s very easy to use because almost every function has its own button for adjustment. The two alarms have separate adjustment buttons at either side of the screen. The snooze button is the longest one and is exclusively on top of the LCD screen to make it easy to press it even if you’re extremely groggy. Beside the snooze is volume adjustment. All the buttons for music and radio purposes as well as other adjustments for the clock are located below the screen, upon the built-in speaker.

Video

The 7’’ LCD display is the most magical feature of this model. It’s a first and definitely an innovation that takes alarm clock technology to a higher level. By docking your iPhone or iPod on the retractable docking tray, you can view your photos, play your movies, and watch music videos on the screen. It also has adjustable brightness settings which you can change up to 4 different modes, depending on the brightness that you prefer and also on the different times of day that you use the clock.

The biggest figure displayed on the screen that occupies almost the entire LCD display is the current time with a small text of the day and date at the upper left portion and the AM or PM indication at the lower right. You can also see the two alarm settings that you set for the clock with the indications of the time of alarm, day of the week, AM or PM, and alarm sound setting if it’s buzzer, radio, nature sounds, or iPod.

Audio

For the audio, you can’t say anything about it. The stereo speakers have a power of 1W + 1W that plays your iPod tracks or your favorite radio station in a very satisfying adjustable volume. You can play MP3 and WMA file types of audio tracks in the device.
The radio has good reception and it obviously uses digital tuning or the high-tech features of the device would be completely defeated. You can save 10 of your favorite AM stations and 20 of your favorite FM stations as preset frequencies so you just have to scan through them if you want to listen to some good radio music.

It also has its own set of nature sounds that can be used as alarm sounds or just some form of relaxing therapeutic melodies that you can listen to whenever you want. You can also play music from an external memory apart from the iPod, such as an SD card.

Clock

This clock makes use of the automatic time set and automatic daylight savings time features similar in other Autoclock models. You don’t have to adjust it again and again because it saves the setting of your time zone and also changes to daylight savings time when needed. It also has a battery back-up so you have no worries about power outages.

The dual alarm is easy to use to comply with your changing schedules. The snooze is extendable up to an hour depending on your desire. You can also use the device as a lullaby because it has a sleep timer which counts down from 10, 20, 30, 60, 90, up to 120 minutes of active time before the music turns off, which by then you would have already been asleep.

Other Features

The retractable iPod/iPhone dock is my favorite because I can charge my iPhone on it while playing my favorite iTunes. This model also has an internal memory of 1 GB, allowing you to save songs and pictures in the clock which you can set as your alarms, display as your slideshow, and use as background images, like a photo album. You can play MP4, motion JPEG, and AVI file types on this device and watch your favorite movies or music videos on the 7’’ LCD screen. It even has a voice recorder where you can record up to 10 seconds of sound.

The only thing I think lacking with this device is a remote control, since stuff like these which you want to navigate often and operate from time to time need a separate controller so you can save the trouble of getting up every now and then just to change the song or the pictures on the slideshow. Also, I have heard some people having problems with the clock shutting down, blacking out, and requiring restarting or rebooting in order to operate properly, especially if an i-device is docked on the docking tray. I don’t know about that, I seem to have no problems regarding that issue.

Conclusion

Overall, I can give this a 9 out of 10. If you want a complete device that’s fun to have, cool to use, and innovated with excellent features, the Sony ICF-CL75iP Speaker Dock with Alarm Clock, Radio, and 7-Inch LCD might be exactly what you’re looking for.

I love my iPhone, and I love the Sony ICF-CD3iP CD Clock Radio even better because it has a special iPhone dock for syncing my phone. And it doesn’t have just that. It has all the features you could ask for in an alarm clock – a radio, a CD player, and an iPhone dock.

Design

The design is taken from its older model, the ICD-C7iP, which looks almost exactly the same as this one. It’s compact, stylish, and cute with that round analog-type face of a clock and a small footprint. The dock is a pop-up sliding tray which you press to eject, and push back in when not in use. The silver face and black finish makes this device fit in any room with any décor, so you’ll definitely find setting this baby in any room an easy task.

Its dimensions are 14.5 x 15.7 x 11.6 cm, and it weighs around 1.3 kilos. It’s easy enough to transfer from bedroom to living room, but it’s preferable to keep it in place once it’s installed.

Video

The white LCD display has a brightness control which you can adjust according to your preferences, and the big numbers are clearly visible even at a fair distance. The display time shows the current time in a 12-hour format, with the clear indication of AM or PM and the day of the week displayed as well.

Audio

The CD clock radio has all the features of a CD player and radio tuner that you need. It has a digital tuner that makes finding your favorite frequency easy enough, and the built-in CD player is good as well. The speakers are stereo so they have good audio quality, with a power of 0.8W + 0.8W. You can set the alarm sound as either CD or radio, and you also have the option of setting the buzzer or iPod tracks as alarm sound.

Clock

For an alarm clock, I think this model is great. It has complete functionality. You have the option of setting two separate alarms for different schedules, and each of them can be assigned with radio, buzzer, CD, or iPod alarm sound. There’s a snooze button for additional sleep time and a sleep timer so you can doze off while listening to your favorite radio station or iPod tracks. It also has a built-in calendar which you can view. The alarm goes off from low volume ascending until you’re completely awakened by it. The battery back-up prevents any power outages to ruin your wake up setting and still operate despite black outs.

Other Features

You have to love this device if you have an iPod or iPhone. Why is that? Because this baby has an iPod/iPhone docking tray that charges your i-device while it plays the tracks in it. You can also use your iTunes as your alarm and even as a lullaby so you can sleep peacefully and wake-up to your favorite songs.

Another great feature of this model is its remote control which lets you operate the device even at the comfort of your bed or couch. There’s no need to move a muscle, just a finger, and it’s as easy to navigate using the remote as it is to press the buttons on the device itself.

Conclusion

There’s no doubt about it. Any music lover will definitely love the Sony ICF-CD3iP CD Clock Radio because it has a radio, a CD player, and an i-device dock, and you can play whichever you want at any given time. I wouldn’t mind giving this as a gift to my favorite friend or my significant other. It’s less pricey compared to its competitors, too. So I recommend you get one for yourself or someone you’d like to give a fabulous gift to, and you’ll definitely be satisfied with using it.

HD radios are the latest when it comes to radio technology, and what music lover wouldn’t want to have one? And if you have an iPhone, it’s even better for you especially because the Sony XDR-S10HDiP HD radio with iPod/iPhone dock is here. But what makes it such a great addition to your home entertainment system?

Design

First of all, the design of this baby is a unique and stylish one. It’s no compact design as it’s an all-out appliance like a TV or DVD player. It’s not like other radios that you carry around and plug in anywhere. The XDR-S10HDiP is like a mini-component, and its black finish and easy-to-use buttons complete its fit in any stereo system in the home. You can place it in the TV rack with the other audiovisual appliances, or you can put it on a corner table in the living room. But if you want to make use of the iPhone/iPod dock and listen to your favorite tracks privately, you could also make space on your bedside table or bedroom study desk to fit it in.

The dimensions of 11.9 x 6.8 x 4.8 inches and the weight of 7 pounds make it quite heavy but small enough to fit easy on any tabletop. And you wouldn’t have a problem making it blend with the home décor because it’s black and has a stylish wide cylindrical appearance that doesn’t look odd or silly for a home appliance.

Video

The backlit LCD is easy to see even in dark or bright lighting conditions. It makes use of a full-dot display that clearly indicates the information that you need on the screen. It also has an adjustment function for the display brightness and contrast, and you can also set the display mode to whichever information you want to see, whether it’s the radio station’s frequency with the station name and location, and even the song being played, name of the artist, and other song information that flashes across the display screen.

Audio/Radio

This is the best feature of the device, as it is a radio, naturally. The HD or hybrid digital radio technology that it uses makes station reception not only easy, but clear, crisp, and sharp as well. In fact, AM stations sound like FM, and FM stations sound like a CD being played. That’s how Sony described the high fidelity capabilities of this device. And having HD for free, unlike satellite radios with monthly subscriptions, makes it an awesome addition to the home entertainment system. Now you can forget about that subscription. I did.

The radio has 20 preset stations for both FM and AM frequencies, and you can save all your favorites in the radio memory so the next time, you just have to scan through them without having to memorize their frequencies. The digital radio tuner makes tuning a breeze with a simple touch of a button. And because it’s HD, you can receive multicasting from FM frequencies, so even if the station in another location has a similar frequency with a local station, you get to hear them both.

The sound system of this device is extra cool. Its built-in stereo speakers has Bass reflex sound system and it also has treble and bass tone controls and surround sound functions, making it a perfect buddy for your subwoofers and components.

Other Features

You can also make this your personal alarm clock because it has alarm functions that let you set the alarm sound to radio, buzzer, or iPod/iPhone. You can even make this device your lullaby machine by simply setting the sleep timer and doze off listening to your favorite iPod tracks or radio station without worrying about keeping the machine on all night. But you can’t use this as a reliable alarm since it’s a radio in nature, and apparently it doesn’t have a snooze button to extend your sleep time and alarm after a few minutes. And it doesn’t have a back-up battery either, so setting the time and everything after a power outage could be quite tedious.

The excellent iPod/iPhone docking feature lets you charge your i-device while jamming to your favorite iTunes and browsing through your iPhone pictures. What makes it even better is that it has a remote control which you can use to navigate through the device even at a fair distance. You don’t have to stand up and walk to the machine just to adjust the volume or change the station – the remote control is there for you to have maximum comfort while experiencing maximum entertainment.

Conclusion

I have to say I’m completely happy with the Sony XDR-S10HDiP HD radio with iPod/iPhone dock, I just have to ignore the fact that it has no back-up power. But all in all, I would recommend it to anyone who wants some good HD entertainment while charging their iPhones with one device.

Alarm clocks are very functional, but I want all my personal stuff fit for my preferences. I like things small and compact, space-saving and cute at the same time. And I want to share one of my favorite alarm clocks that small and cute on the outside, but great with excellent features on the inside. And this is the Sony ICF-C180 clock radio.

Design

When I saw this clock, I thought it was quite useless because it’s so small. It must have no functional features apart from an alarm that probably sounded like a croak or something. But I found myself eating those words all up when I tested it and found that a cute and compact device could be as functional and full of features as any bigger device.

The mere dimensions of 4.5’’ x 4.12’’ x 5" makes it fit in almost any nook and cranny in the house, and its weight of 1.4 pounds makes it easy to carry around. You can put it on your bedside table, on the kitchen counter, on the coffee table, and on the study desk, and you’d have no problems squeezing it in.

The buttons are also very easy to use. They are intuitive, labeled, and each function has its own button, making it easy for you to set separate alarms, set the time, tune the radio, and so forth.

Video

The backlit LCD makes it easy for you to see the time even in the darkest hour of night, and the brightness can also be adjusted so you don’t have to wince at the sight of a brightly backlit alarm clock. The backlight is split into two colors: green for the upper part (current time) and orange for the lower part (alarm times).

The LCD display is a nice 3-part screen with the current time on the top and largest part of the screen. On the lower part, the screen is cut in half and on each side, you can view the current alarm times that you have set, with the indication of which alarm sound you used for that specific alarm. The AM and PM are clearly indicated in letters so you don’t have to guess if it’s night or day, and the LCD also has a symbol that indicates if the current time is daylight savings time.

Audio/Radio

The analog tuner is fine and easy to use, and the radio has fair reception for such a small thing. But there may be issues about the buzzer alarm. I have heard some comments about the alarm not going off or not loud enough, and I admit it might not be that great a buzzer alarm because its speaker is only a 6.6 cm mono. So I go with the radio because that has an adjustable volume which you can set to your desired sound level.

Clock

For this feature, this baby is a perfect 10. It has everything you could ever want in an alarm clock – dual alarm settings, extendable snooze, choice of alarm sound, daylight savings time, back-up battery for unexpected power outages, and a lot more. The dual alarm lets you set two separate alarms for different days of the week, and you have the choice of using a buzzer, radio, or melody for alarm sound. The extendable snooze makes it easy to sleep some more by just pressing on it multiple times, giving you from ten minutes to an hour of uninterrupted sleep. Daylight savings time should be set, but that’s easy enough with the cool buttons. And the back-up battery saves you the trouble of being late during power outages.

Other Features

Another nice feature of this clock is the NAP, which is actually sort of like a countdown timer with alarm. If you want to doze off for a bit without having to adjust your current alarm settings, you can just set the nap function to different intervals of 10, 20, 30, 60, 90, and 120 minutes. An afternoon siesta for the weekend would be perfect, and to not sleep on too much, turn on the nap and snooze away without worries.

Conclusion

Overall, the Sony ICF-C180 clock radio is a pretty awesome little device that really makes a great alarm clock. I bought one for myself and when I was completely happy with it, I also got another one as a gift for my mom. She loves it as well, and I hope you’ll get the chance of loving

Radios are excellent entertainment devices that keep you updated with the latest in the music industry, as well as with the current events. And if you ask me, I praise Sony for developing the Sony XDRF1HD HD Radio Tuner because it’s a real gem, and here’s why.

Design

You’d have to be fooled by that box-like figure and think that it’s an absolute wreck or something, but Sony used an old-fashioned design and incorporated it in a new model. As a matter of fact, the XDRF1HD is one of the best when it comes to radio technology. But the design isn’t that bad. The compact box is an excellent tabletop or desktop décor and you can fit it in any room of the house because it’s black and it’s definitely handy.

Weighing around 2.7 pounds and measuring about 6.4’’ x 7.1’’ x 2.4’’, you wouldn’t find it hard to find space for this radio. And fully equipped with a remote control, no other radio could be easier to operate.

Video

The backlit dot matrix LCD is easy enough to read, and because it’s digital, every necessary information you need is displayed on the screen. You can choose the display brightness, contrast, and even the information. You can set the display mode to show the frequency and name of the radio station you’re tuned in to, or you can choose to display a 12-hour clock with the date and time. Even in dark rooms, you can read the information clearly because of the bright backlight.

Audio/Radio

This is the best feature of this machine, since it is a radio. The most fabulous about this model is it’s HD and it plays with high fidelity AM/FM/HD radio technology. The HD or hybrid digital reception turns AM sound like FM and FM sound like a CD playing. Simply said, it makes radio music a lot clearer, crisper, sharper, and more audible for complete musical entertainment and the best current news broadcast listening.

The reception is certified static-free and high definition. HD radio allows FM multicasting, which lets you receive multiple radio steams over a single FM frequency. Now you can choose whether you’re going to listen to the local station frequency or an out-of-town station. You can also save 20 preset stations to keep all your favorites without having to memorize all their frequencies and station names.

Unlike satellite radio that requires a monthly subscription fee, HD radios let you listen to excellent digitally broadcast radio stations for free. This is so much more preferable if you really enjoy digital tuning. You can forget about that subscription and just switch to this model.

Other Features

Another excellent addition to this system is the remote control which lets you navigate through the radio without having to stand up and press the buttons. Also, the radio has an audio jack that allows you to connect the device to other audio systems like speakers, subwoofers, and even home stereo equipment. Now you can listen to your favorite HD stations in full volume in the comfort of your home.

Conclusion

I absolutely love this little guy because it gives me the complete satisfaction of enjoying my favorite radio stations and the latest songs in the hit charts in the best HD quality. I also don’t have to worry about subscription and I can say that I’ve benefitted a lot from having this device. The Sony XDRF1HD HD Radio Tuner is an excellent gift, home appliance, and personal device that I would highly recommend to anyone who enjoys good music.

For those people out there who love music just like me, keeping in track with the latest hits is a must. And for those grandmas and grandpas who want to listen to instead of watch the news, the only thing fit for you is the perfect radio. I wouldn’t say it’s perfect, but I love the Sony ICF-SW7600GR because it has excellent and very functional features.

Design

This radio is an easy-to-use device that makes radio tuning a breeze. The digital tuner makes navigating through various frequencies easy enough so as not to irritate the user. I find this convenient because I know my frequencies, and I can just save my station’s frequency and press its corresponding channel to tune into that radio station.

The silver framing looks classy and old-fashioned, making the radio a perfect gift for your grandmas and grandpas. It’s small and lightweight, easy to carry around, and can be placed on any tabletop or bedside. With the dimensions of 7.5" x 4.75" x 1.4" and a weight of 1.6 pounds, it’s definitely easy to bring this radio anywhere you want to go.

Video

The backlit LCD display is simple but allows you to navigate even in the dark. It also makes viewing the time and station you’re tuned into easy enough even at a fair distance. You can also view the date and time of different locations all over the world through the LCD and by the clock function of the device.

Audio/Radio

The radio tuning abilities of this baby is just wonderful. It’s a radio, after all, and it’s Sony. The device has a built-in 3-inch speaker that creates a very audible and crisp sound that makes listening to music even more enjoyable. It makes use of an SSB (single side band) which provides fine tuning and optimal multi-mode reception with reduced interference on the narrow AM band, producing a better overall sound. The PLL quartz synthesized tuning is an extremely accurate method of tuning, with optimum stability that reduces drift to a minimum, which the radio uses.

You can also create 100 preset radio stations so you can autoscan through them, allowing you to choose from several available stations whichever one you decide to tune into. It also has a synchronous detection circuitry in its system, which reduces fading and annoying “beat” frequency interference from adjacent stations, as well as distortion due to fading in AM reception.

Other Features

The radio has built-in antennas for maximum frequency reception, a ferrite bar for AM and a telescoping bar for FM. It has various inlets for better listening, such as a headphone jack for private listening entertainment or noise reduction purposes. It also allows you to set two alarms and wake up to two different radio stations of your choice.

Although it is powered by four AA batteries, you also have the option of using a direct connection to power using the DC-in jack which is included in the box when you buy the radio. It also has a sleep timer to automatically turn off the radio on a specified time.

It even has a world clock where you can view the time of different countries all over the world. The time format is 24-hour, though, so you have to know what’s 15:00 in real time.

Conclusion

I find it easy to tune in to various radio stations using the Sony ICF-SW7600GR, and I also get excellent international reception, but I have heard some people say that the reception isn’t as good as it is presented. However, I think it differs depending on a lot of factors, and for me that’s just not the case. I wouldn’t think twice in recommending this radio to anyone who wants excellent world band reception, because I know I’m satisfied with the radio’s performance.

CD players are kind of my thing, and I wanted to find a useful one that doesn’t just play my CDs. So when I found the Sony ICF-CD815 CD clock radio, I felt like my prayers were heard. It’s as useful a CD player and alarm clock as it can ever get.

Design

The clock has a nice black top finish that’s mostly chip and wear resistant, and the white sides are nice to look at. For a device that’s more than just a CD player, the design of the ICF-CD815 is quite compact. You can place it on any tabletop, fit in any bedside table, and match with any kitchen counter. It has the dimensions 7.50" x 3.66" x 8.75" and weighs 3.5 pounds, but it’s not really for travel so that’s quite acceptable.

It’s plain and simple as it is, which makes me want it more, because it doesn’t have so many features and functions that are somewhat unnecessary to incorporate in the device. It’s a plain alarm clock with a CD player, that’s that.

Video

This clock has an excellent 1.4’’ LED display that’s completely visible even at a fair distance. You won’t have any problems looking at the time especially when you’ve just woken up and are still quite groggy. The big numbers will definitely register in your brain. You also have the option of setting the brightness of the display so it won’t come too dim or too bright for you.

The LCD displays a 12-hour time format, and it has a PM indicator so you won’t be confused whether its day or night. It also shows whether the alarms have been activated at the preset time so you have no worries of getting late for tomorrow’s important appointments.

Audio

Because it’s a CD player, Sony put in a good bargain for its sound. Its integrated 57 mm, 0.7W + 0.7W stereo speakers at either side of the device make it a good music player. The buzzer alarm is also very audible, starting with a low volume and gradually becoming louder to really awaken you. But I like the feature that allows you to set either the radio or CD as an alarm sound. I use my favorite CD tracks for the two alarms. You can choose which track number you want to use as alarm, so it’s easy to set whichever alarm sound you want.

The radio isn’t as good, though. The reception may be fair enough, but analog tuning is quite inconvenient. That’s for me, however, because I’m not an analog person and I find turning the tuner from left to right just troublesome. And the hidden tuner doesn’t make it any easier.
Clock

As an alarm clock, I couldn’t ask for more from this device. The dual alarm lets you set two separate alarm settings for different schedules, and you can make sure that the alarms are on by looking at the display. The extendable snooze also allows you to sleep for ten minutes to an hour more so you won’t have to worry about being late.

Other Features

The clock comes with an audio line-in cable for MP3 player and other digital music player connectivity. You can use this to play your favorite songs on your MP3 if you don’t have a CD with those selections. One thing lacking from this clock radio, though, is the battery back-up which makes it hard to wake up on time during sudden power outages. But I don’t mind since there’s always a back-up cellphone to do that job.

Conclusion

If you’re looking for a cool CD playing alarm clock with excellent sound features and dual alarm settings, then the Sony ICF-CD815 CD clock radio is the perfect alarm clock for you. Why don’t you go ahead and try one? I recommend the device because I am fully satisfied with it myself.

i-devices are extremely popular, we all know that. But did you ever imagine adding functionality to other devices by incorporating an i-device dock in them? Sony did. In fact, it produced the Sony ICF-C7IP clock radio with hidden sliding dock for iPod and iPhone.

Design

This is the cutest device because of its unique sliding tray design. The tray is actually the dock for the i-device, whether it’s an iPod or iPhone. You simply have to push the dock tray, and it ejects halfway. Pull it out, and you can now dock your i-device. My iPhone is almost always on this dock whenever I’m home. I can play my tracks from the iPhone to the radio while I’m working in the house, taking a bath, doing some work, or just relaxing.

Its nice circular face makes it an adorable addition to the household décor. The black and white finish is perfect for any other room color. It’s flexible, easy to handle, and easy to set on any tabletop or bedside. It’s very compact, and if you aren’t using the iPhone dock, it looks so small on your bedside table. With the dimensions of 5’’ x 7.6’’ x 6.5’’ and a weight of 2.1 pounds, it’s acceptably transferrable from one room to another, but the FM wire antenna makes this a hassle. I don’t use the radio much, though, so I don’t mind disconnecting it from time to time.

Video

The nice LED display is big enough to be read at a good distance, and it has good indicators that show all the necessary information you need from the clock. It has a specific AM and PM indicator using the words themselves, a day indicator, an alarm sound indicator, daylight savings time symbol, and a clear LED display of a 12-hour time format. It also has brightness control so don’t you worry about it being too dim or too bright.

Audio

There’s volume control, that’s a good point, and the tuner is digital. It also has 30 preset radio stations for easier navigation. But the reception is the worst flaw of this device. A wire antenna means an unmovable clock that needs a precise position to get the best reception. Good thing I’m not much of a radio user, but for those out there who are, beware. This is a clock and not a boom box. And why listen to the radio if you could listen to your iPod tunes instead?

Clock

The alarm is perfect. There’s absolutely nothing bad you can say about it. The controls are easy to use, the clock automatically adjusts to daylight savings time, there are two alarm settings that you can use for different schedules, you can set the alarm sound to a buzzer, radio, or i-device soundtrack, and you can set the snooze to 10 minutes up to 60 minutes of extra sleep time. It’s the best alarm clock I’ve ever had.

Other Features

The cool thing about the ICF-C7IP is its remote control, but it’s only good for operating the iPod or iPhone when it’s docked on the tray. You can’t use it much for navigating through the clock, but it does have radio functions.

It also has a back-up battery for unexpected power outages, and you won’t have problems for your alarm needs on such instances.

When you dock the i-device, it automatically charges and you can also play the songs in it while doing so. You can even browse on your iPhone while charging it on the dock. It makes the device so much more functional. I especially like to dock my iPhone through the night so it plays my favorite songs until it reaches the sleep time, when the device automatically turns of my iPhone player.

Conclusion

Whether it’s an iPod dock or an alarm clock, one thing’s for sure: it’s one functional device. And I wouldn’t want any other model because the Sony ICF-C7IP clock radio is absolutely perfect for me.