I write reviews for MacNN.com, and had requested an iHome to review. None ever materialized. So my wife bought me one for Christmas 2005. It is the best gift I have received in years!

The iHome iPod Docking Station is elegant & well designed. The case is a glossy white plastic, with subtle volume and tuner "wheels" (like the iPod's scroll wheel) on either side on the top, with backlit controls and iPod dock between. The three buttons I use most are well placed: Snooze is the long button in the front (easy to find by feel in the dark morning hours); alarm on/off is the first button on the left in the second row; and iPod play/pause is the first button on the left in the third row. I don't have to look to choose what I want to do.

The snooze button also controls display brightness, which has 3 levels. I always use the dimmest by preference. The iHome's LCD display is also large and easy to see in the dark, even on dim. Of course, a small icon is displayed to indicate alarm on (no icon is displayed when alarm is off). When alarm is turned on, the wake time is briefly displayed then disappears. When iPod or Radio is playing, that condition is also displayed.

I asked for the iHome because I wanted to play my iPod music on something besides my laptop or headphones. The iHome offers the added benefit of an alarm clock and radio. I especially wanted to be able to play Sleep Naps exported from Pzizz software and put onto my iPod Mini. These randomly generated sound files help listeners relax and, if the option is selected, sleep. Since I reviewed Pzizz, my wife and I have been listing to a sleep nap every night, and it has become a habit. The iHome makes listening to these sleep naps that much more convenient than my laptop!

My editor at MacNN moonlights at an Apple store, and told me that the iHome wasn't a very good product. I believe we miscommunicated, because the iHome I received is better than expected. I am very pleased that I can play Sleep Naps and my favorite tunes on my iPod with superb sound (certainly better than my 17" PowerBook, without so much ambient light). I am also pleased with the design of the iHome and the backlit LCD display. I have no complaints or recommendations for improvement to this great accessory to my iPod Mini.

Recommended:
Yes