Pick Your Color LCD Alarm Clock Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This clock is everything I was looking for (well, almost - it would be nice if it was atomic as well). It is small and slim, barely takes any space by the bed). The display is large enough to be seen from across the room. Very simple with one alarm (which I rarely would use). It is easy to set (the only drawback is that the numbers only go one way but there is a separate set for hour and minute so it makes it easier). It displays in 12/24 hour mode which is really nice and you can see the seconds going by (which to me is a BIG plus). The colors are very nice (yes, I like to play with this feature) and they set like a puzzle - there are three little buttons that you push in various ways and they determine the color of the display). At night, it is not too bright and you can see the display easily. The date and day feature is helpful as well. Have you ever woken up on a Saturday or Sunday thinking it's a work day? One look at the clock and you won't be confused anymore :) Overall, I am very pleased with this clock and would recommend it for someone who likes simplicity.

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1.8" LCD displaySelect from 7 colorsDisplays time with scrolling seconds day and date12/24-hour clock format

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Sony ICF-C492 Large Display AM/FM Clock Radio Review

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(More customer reviews)My trusty old Sony alarm clock's radio selectivity was getting on my nerves, and the cheap General Electric model I chose to replace it did not measure up. Fortunately, this new Sony easily surpasses both its older brand-mate as well as the ergonomically-botched offering from GE. Advantages include precise, dial-adjustable display brightness, better radio reception and selectivity, and simple controls for sleepyheads to understand and operate. Audio is clear but undistinguished--about what one would expect from a clock radio. Nevertheless, for such a low price that is forgiveable.

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Large Display LED Wall Clock by Sper Scientific Review

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(More customer reviews)We purchased this clock for our bedroom and love it. It was easy to set and the numbers are nice and LARGE so you can read it without glasses on. It is a wall alarm clock so it came with a remote. We don't use the remote so that my husband HAS to get up out of bed to turn the alarm off.

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The 2 1/2"H x 1-1/4"W bright red LED digits are easily seen from across the room in darkness as well as in light. This wall clock has a selectable 12-hour or 24-hour display format and has PM and alarm indicators. Both the clock and alarm time can be set on the unit itself or by remote control. Works on AC120V. Comes with a 10' cord, a stand for bench top use, and a remote control with button cell battery. UL approved. Dim: 12" x 6.5" x 1-1/4". Weight: 24 oz. (696 g). 5 YEAR WARRANTY.

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Philips AJ3980 AM FM CD Clock Radio Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I spent ALOT of time looking at different models of radio alarms, and none of them had all of the features I wanted, so it seems like there is always a compromise. Since this slick little model was philips latest offering, I assumed it would have all the features of the previous models, it did not. It also has problems with the speakers, both were fuzzy and distorted on different operation modes, cd, tuner... I believe this to be a defect, not a by-design issue.
The Pros: The sound, when it did function correctly, was crisp and had a nice full range of reproduction. It wont replace a bookshelf system, but works quite well for bed side, although the opposite firing speakers do not reproduce stereo sound, it does have a standard mini-headphone jack. The display was large and quite readable from many angles. The touch screen display added some coolness value but you dont really want to have to look at a bedside alarm to operate it, you want to go by feel, fuhgetaboutit with the onscreen controls.
The Cons: Brightness control, why dont they make a light that you can turn off entirely and just press a button for momentary illumination? Even at its lowest brighntess setting which is about 30 or 40 percent dimmer then normal, its still not all that dim and could cause some annoyance at night, although the amber display is less obtrusive than the previous model's electrolumenescent blue. It only has five fm presets. no adjustable snooze, no weekend alarm defeat option, three minute internal power failure back-up, pathetic when my four year old laptop keeps better time when it has no power for a month. Those are my biggest complaints.
Overall it is a well constructed item with the obvious caveat for the defective sound ouput. I should also mention that I wasnt pleased with the cd latching mechanism. It uses a cheap plastic push down lock connector that doesn't seem to inspire longevity. Overall a well built item but I'm disappointed with the lack of certain features and ended up returning it due to the defective sound output, I ordered the previous model and am waiting for delivery now...

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Incorporating an LCD Touchscreen, this clock radio is intuitively designed for simplicity and appearance. The Philips AJ3980 is also engineered for optimal functioning for both comfort and assurance.Large, touchscreen, backlit LCD screen (with dimmer control) is easy to readSleep timerIntegrated side-mount speakers for stereo soundJack for optional headphone listeningErgonomically positioned snooze bar110-120 Volt AC poweredOne year manufacturers limited exchange warranty

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Timex T326H Expedition AM/FM Alarm Clock Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)It looks good in the picture, but don't even think of buying this piece of junk. It's way too big for a travel clock, the digital and anlaog clocks are not connected to each other, and the other features are awkward to use.

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Travel anywhere and wake up on time with the Timex T326H ExpeditionAM/FM alarm clock. It folds to a compact size but features several alarmoptions. Wake up to bell sounds or your favorite AM/FM station. It also featuresa sleep option that allows you to choose from three nature sounds: babblingbrook, ocean surf, and forest spring.
An analog clock face keeps time withluminescent minute and hour hands and an LCD display indicates alarm, PM, andbattery-low icons.

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Philips USA AJL308 Clock Radio with 7-Inch TFT LCD Color Display and USB/SD Card Slot Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)There is a lot to love about this product. It's sleek. It's stylish. It's bright, bold and clear. (It can be dimmed!) It's a clock-radio with two independent alarms that also plays audio files (.mp3 and .wma), video (mpeg4 and divx codices) and photo slide shows (.jpg only). It has built-in "relaxation" sounds to help you fall asleep. It has so much going for it! And just when you think it can't get any better...
It doesn't get better. It slips a little. You start thinking to yourself, "If only..." and "Why didn't they just take the next step?" Why isn't there a tiny bit of built-in memory so that I don't need a SD card or USB stick to be attached to change the cute-but-becoming-annoying default photo? Why can't I select an audio file on the SD or USB as my alarm music? Why only three built-in sounds for the "relaxation" music? Why isn't there an AM tuner? Why isn't there a headphone jack? Why can I only display JPEG-format images? For a widescreen 7" LCD picture frame, why is the resolution only 480 x 234? Why isn't there a back-up battery?
This is such a near-perfect little gadget that it's painful to see how close Philips came to making the best device on the market. Yet despite these flaws, it is still so wonderful that it demands four stars. Lucky for Philips, there don't seem to be any viable alternatives with all of the features it does have at this price point... yet.
And regarding the day-of-the-week issue: Philips posted a firmware update on their Web site on September 14, 2007, that fixes this issue. Visit the Philips Web site, type in "AJL308" to find the product page, select the Support link tab (just above and to the right of the product image), and scroll down to the Software section. There is a PDF read-me file and a ZIP file with the actual firmware update. Read the PDF and carefully follow its directions to update the firmware. You'll need a USB drive to transfer the firmware update to your AJL308, and it takes several minutes to complete the update, but once it's done the day of the week should be correct.

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Start the day right with the Philips AJL308 Clock Radio, where you can wake up to the 7-inch color showing off your favorite photo, song, or video. In addition to clock, radio and calendar functions, you can even use pre-loaded relaxation music that will help you fall asleep. Built-in USB and SD card slots let you store all of your photos, music and video clips. You can enjoy music or radio channels with FM digital auto tuning and presets. Set dual alarm times and wake up gently with the increasing alarm volume.

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La Crosse Technology WS-8418U-IT Atomic Digital Wall Clock with Moon Phase Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I have another automatic time adjusting atomic digital wall clock with a large display that I purchased a few years ago at Radio Shack that is similar but only has the indoor temperature. I liked the remote outdoor temperature sensor feature and the moon phase displays so I decided to purchase this La Crosse brand as an upgrade. The automatic updating and self adjusting nature of these extremely accurate digital atomic clocks is what makes them really different from less accurate traditional quartz clocks. After going through the process myself I must emphasize how important it is that the directions in the provided instruction booklet are followed exactly when setting this clock up.
Here are some tips for obtaining the best results. Install the remote temperature sensor batteries before installing the batteries on the main unit. I have read in other reviews that Energizer lithium or similar non-rechargeable lithium batteries work the best for a longer life and to hold up during colder freezing outdoor weather. Start by placing the outdoor sensor within a few feat of the main unit so they can sync and so you know the outdoor sensor transmission works properly. What I did was manually set up the clock first and the atomic auto-time feature is supposed to adjust the time later but make sure you have the correct time zone and the daylight savings set for your location. I manually set the time two minutes faster than my other atomic clock and sure enough had adjusted the time automatically and it exactly matched my other atomic clock by the next day.
Make sure the clock is in a location where it can receive the atomic clock radio signal. Thick concrete walls, basements, extreme weather, and the time of day can alter the ability of the atomic radio signal transmission (which bounces off the atmosphere) to reach this clock. If it doesn't update right away make sure you have exited the setup mode (usually done by pressing the snooze button once after being in setup mode). Give it at least a day to see if it it does in fact auto update the time from the radio signal it is is supposed to receive. If it doesn't adjust to the correct time then try placing the clock in another location that has less potential obstructions in the direction of the sky so that the atomic radio signal readings are not inhibited. There will be a small digital symbol of a radio signal in the LCD display above the time after it has updated and has been able to properly receive the signal.
Choosing a good location for the outdoor temperature sensor is also important to its proper function. After you have confirmed that it works near the clock and the clock has been properly set up try placing the remote temperature sensor outside in a location you believe the signal will be able to reach the clock. The directions say the remote sensor's maximum range is 300 feet but I would recommend setting it up closer or within fifty feet if possible. Before mounting the sensor make sure it is in fact properly updating the outside temperature reading on the clock inside. Thick concrete walls and metallic window blinds can block the signal strength so try to install the remote outdoor temperature sensor as close to and in line of sight to the clock as you can while being aware of possible obstructions that could block its radio signal.
The quality of the outdoor temperature reading will be determined by having a good location for the outdoor remote sensor. The sensor is not waterproof so it should not get wet, should not have direct sunlight, or be in a location with excessive direct wind or weather. Here are some ideas about finding a good location to mount the sensor. You will want to choose a shady covered location on the side of your house with a location underneath cover. Its the end of December in California and I first installed my remote temperature sensor not too far from the inside wall where the clock was but just outside above a large glass window. It was a good location to avoid direct sun and it was protected from rain by the top of the window frame but I found that there was enough heat escaping from the glass window to increase the sensor's temperature by at least five degrees F. I took it down and placed it on a chair outside the window and the temperature dropped to its proper reading. I searched for a better location that would not be effected by heat from the house. I found one around the corner of the house that was still near in distance to the indoor clock and just below the roof overhang but protected from rain, wind, and sun, etc.. and used the screws provided to mount it into the wooden siding of the house. The plastic mounting hardware keeps the sensor floating more freely in the air. I also placed a separate wooden screw directly underneath the sensor for it to sit on just to make it more secure.
This seems to be a good product with great features for the money. The indoor clock readings are easy to see. The moon phase display was a little confusing at first. Apparently it displays the black shading to correspond to the brightness of the moon. My older atomic clock has the setup buttons on the back while this model has them on the front. This made the setup and adjustments of this La Crosse brand clock much easier than my other atomic clock. I will find out if the claims of longer battery life and reliable function are true within the coming months but so far this seems like a good product. The only other issue I would like to note is that I first noticed the indoor temperature sensor on the clock reading about one to one and a half degrees higher than my older atomic clock. This difference might be explained because the La Crosse clock is capable of displaying the temperature in tenths of a degree F of accuracy while the my older clock displays only within a single degrees F of accuracy. The La Crosse clock is also capable of updating more frequently which means that you will sometimes see the temperature display vary from half of a degree F to one degree F several times per minute. The temperature of the air inside a living space often changes and varies as the air moves around from the activity of fans, air conditioners, heaters, doors opening, etc..
There are other models of atomic clocks from La Crosse available in different looks (desktop sizes, wood styling, traditional analog styling, etc.) with more features including weather prediction capability, more sensors, humidity, second remote sensor, etc. but this basic model with indoor and outdoor temperature sensing, moon phases, time and date does seem to work well. Because of the finicky nature of setting up the outdoor sensor and the fact that the outdoor sensor is not water proof I lowered my rating one star from the highest five star rating. I still recommend this large display La Crosse atomic clock and think it is an excellent value for the money.

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This large-display digital wall clock from La Crosse Technology not only keeps precise time, but also shares the date, day of week, current indoor and outdoor temperatures, and moon phase. Radio-controlled by the WWVB atomic clock, the clock regularly resets for accuracy and adapts automatically for daylight savings time. The thermometer provides climate information for indoor comfort and appropriate planning beyond the house walls.
Bordered by a sleek black frame, the silver clock face features two rectangular LCD screens and four small buttons for setting the clock and shifting modes. The top screen displays time in either a 12- or 24-hour format. A radio icon indicates the strength of the WWVB signal. Outside the signal's range, users can manually set the time. The clock also offers an alarm function with snooze. The lower LCD screen displays the indoor temperature and date on its left side, and the outdoor temperature and day of the week on its right. In the screen's center, one of twelve icons denotes the present moon phase. The day of the week can be presented in English, French, German, or Spanish, while degrees are conveyed in either Celsius or Fahrenheit. The clock measures indoor temperatures from 14 to 100 degrees F. For outdoor data, a TX37U-IT sensor is included, communicating at a 915MHz frequency from up to 330 feet. The sensor registers a range of –31.9 to +139 degrees F. To power the clock and sensor, the separate purchase of four AA batteries is required. Install the clock 6 feet from computers, TVs, or other interfering appliances. A one-year limited warranty covers this item. The clock measures 10-1/4 inches wide by 1-1/5 inches deep by 9-3/4 inches high and the sensor 1-1/2 inches wide by 4/5 inches deep by 5 inches high.

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Nextar RPF-1503 1.5-Inch Digital Photo Frame Figurine (Snowman, White) Review

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(More customer reviews)the software provided is suppossed to be compatible with Windows XP, but after loading it I got the following message "no photo Viewer is found, program termined". (the word terminated is actually mispelled in the message box). I uninstalled and reinstalled the program several times. Did a Google search and apparently this is a common complaint. Went to the Nextar website which was no help at all. What a waste of time and money. Don't buy this product.

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Nextar brightens the holiday season with an adorable snowman. The RPF-1503 stores up to 60 images, which are displayed on a 1.5" screen and can be shown either manually or in a sideshow presentation. Pictures are easily transferred to the units using included software, JPEG, BMP and GIF formats are supported. When not displaying photos the screen can serve as a digital clock to help keep holiday happenings on time. Constructed of durable polyresin, the frames can withstand the attention they are sure to receive. The RPF-1503 is powered by two AAA batteries, which are included. Other accessories include a USB cable and image transfer software CD ROM.

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Chaney Instruments Thor Large Display Alarm Clock Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Original Review 2007:
What a great surprise! I ordered this simply to have a clock in the bedroom that could be read in the dark without glasses... and that is exactly what I got, but much much more! I plugged this guy in and it showed the correct time! Checked the instruction pamphlet (actually printed large enough to read!) and found that this clock will automatically keep up with the correct time and automatically reset for changes to daylight savings and back! This is great for me because we have a lot of clocks and getting them all changed twice a year is a real chore... especially the ones that require two buttons pushed at once or whatever. I've been buying expensive atomic clocks simply to get rid of this problem, but this one is MUCH better than an atomic, where you have to diddle with getting good reception and then wait while it updates... sometimes overnight! This little guy is programmed for all time zones, just flip a well labeled switch on the back to select yours... not a menu, a good old switch that you just have to change one time! What a great invention... I hope all clocks will adopt this system. NO worry about power outages, no problems if you're moving... just unplug it and plug it in at your new location... it kept time while it was unplugged!
And as far as being readable in the dark, the numbers are so big it's almost scarey when you look at it at night... 10 STARS!
I'll get back with an update if I discover any problems or failures.
UPDATE after one year of use.
1. This clock has never failed to show the correct time and has never failed to alarm properly, even in my rural area where power blips are a norm.
2. One reviewer says there's no way to change the time if it's wrong... that's INCORRECT!
3. One reviewer can't figure how the clock knows what time it is... well obviously it's set initially in the factory... but probably the reviewer was just joking. It is set up and maintains its settings with a small battery which is rated "up to 5 years" durability.
4. Another reviewer pulled the batteries and says this ruined his clock... can't imagine why he'd pull the batteries in the first place, but I do know there are instructions for doing this. Do note that the clock itself is the plug-in type... it only uses the battery to power the memory/setup chip.
After a year of use, this is still my favorite clock and I get mad every time I have to change batteries on my Atomic Clocks because they are such a hassle and I paid over twice as much for them. This is the one to buy. I am looking for Chaney to come out with one that can show me the outdoor temperature as well and I'll scrap all my junky atomics.

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Enjoy an ultra-convenient clock equipped with the features needed to get and stay ahead. Set-And-Forget Technology automatically adjusts for daylight savings time. This convenient feature also allows the unit to automatically display the correct time from the moment it's plugged in or batteries are installed. It has battery back-up, so it will even display the correct time after a power outage. The large, 2-inch LED display is easy to read from anywhere in the room. Snooze function allows for getting a little more rest. Sized to fit most anywhere, the clock measures 3-1/4 inches high by 7-1/8 inches wide by 2-3/4 inches deep. It includes a 6-foot cord for standard electrical plugs and four button cell batteries.

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Elgin Electric Alarm Clock with Selectable Display Color Review

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(More customer reviews)This is a plug in clock with a battery backup (which is not entirely clear from the description). It is very small (definitely fits in the palm of your hand) but has a very clear LCD. I like that you can customize the color for the display but I found the basic blue shown in the picture works the best. It is perfect as a second clock for the other side of the bed--presuming there are two people.

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.6" LCD7 display colors: aqua red green pink teal purple and yellowMultifunction alarm clockUses 1 AA battery (not included)

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Taylor Digital Minute/Second Timer Review

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(More customer reviews)The timers work fine (it's been 3 months). I bought 8 for my reading class for timed readings. The beep is not too loud, at least it doesn't seem to distract the students. I like how it counts up and down, which most timers don't have. It's also great that it counts up to 99 minutes. The Pyrex timers only count up to 20 minutes. Definitely would recommend it.

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Classic Big Digit Digital Timer

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ELGIN TRAVEL ALARM CLOCK Review

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(More customer reviews)I have dropped this thing on the floor, stepped on it, spilled water all over it. I lost the back and the batteries were held in by masking tape and it still worked. Simple, but effective.

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Why risk missing a flight or the departure of a tour by depending on a hotel alarm clock or a wake-up call from the front desk? Take control of time while on the road with this lightweight travel alarm clock. From Elgin, the compact clock benefits from a protective black cover which folds back to serve as the clock's stand for tabletop display. The clock conveys the time on a 7/10-inch LCD screen, equipped with both alarm and AM/PM indicators. For time illumination in the dark, a blue backlight is activated by pressing the big button on the clock's front. This button doubles as the snooze button, silencing the alarm for a little extra shuteye. Below the screen, a switch allows the users to choose the appropriate clock display, selecting between time set, alarm set, alarm on, and alarm off. The user employs the provided hour and minute buttons to toggle to the desired times. To power the clock, the separate purchase of one AAA battery is required. A one-year limited warranty covers this item. Standing upright, the travel alarm clock measures 4 inches wide by 5 inches deep by 5 inches high and weighs 6.1 ounces.

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CDN TM15t Design TM15 Extra Large Big Digit Timer Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was looking for a good basic timer and this fit the bill. It allows you to count up or down and shows time elapsed after the alarm rings (to see how much I screwed up the cookies).
One feature I was looking for but wasn't apparent from the descriptions or photos is how the back is set up. I use the magnet, not the easel and attach it to the stove hood. With some timers the magnet is on the easel and the easel comes out from the back of the timer. Then when you push the timer buttons, it rocks back and forth on the easel, and usually falls into the soup. However, this timer has has the easel flush with the back of the timer. When attached to the hood, it does not rock back and forth when pushing the buttons. Big plus in my book. Sometimes it is just the small details.


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CDN Extra Big Digit Timer An essential tool in any home or professional kitchen, this CDN Extra Big Digit Timer ensures food is cooked. This jumbo-digit timer features a large number display and a loud alarm to let you know when food is done. It counts up to 100 by minutes and seconds, with a stop and restart option. This timer is made of food-safe ABS plastic, and features three ways to mount including a magnet, stand, or hanging loop. Features: Counts up to 100 by minutes and seconds Countsup and down Loud alarm, long alarm option Stop and restart option Last count recall Counts up after zero Counts last minute in seconds Food-safe ABS plastic 3-way mounting 5-year warranty Model: TM15

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Big Screen Clock with Weather Review

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(More customer reviews)The weather aspects of the clock are worthless, but the light is bright and it's nice for a battery-operated clock. Probably not worth over $10.

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Rise and shine to the daily weather forecast! Accurate readings every morning at your bed side. No TV or radio necessary! Features large screen, easy read weather icons, minimum and maximum temperature, humidity, moon phase, LCD alarm clock, day calendar, snooze and backlight. Requires two AAA batteries, not included. Plastic, 5 1/2 x 2 1/2 x 3 1/2".

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Sony Dash Personal Internet Viewer Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)UPDATED: Sony has released a software update that rolled out in the first week of June 2010. I've edited the review below to identify issues resolved in the software update. I have noticed some freeze-ups since the software update, but they've been relatively infrequent. If you buy the device new now, it will update itself as soon as it connects to the internet.The Sony Dash is marketed as a "personal internet viewer." In my opinion, it does not live up to that name. Others are more accurately calling it "glimpse internet" and "upgraded alarm clock." It's a 7-inch touch tablet designed with a weighted wedge style, meant to sit on a countertop or bedside table. Sony basically licensed or bought the Chumby OS and added its own internet video service as well as re-designing the UI a bit for the larger screen. I was attracted to this device because I liked the idea of a Chumby, but it seemed overly bulky and too small of a screen. The Dash takes all the good parts about a Chumby and adds a bigger screen and a better design.
I'm giving a lot more detail below, but to sum up: what you think of this device is largely going to depend on what you want from it. To me, this device's best tagline would have identified it as a "wake-up station"...telling you everything you need or want to know as you wake up to begin your day. My rating of this device is based on what I expected out of it: in short, a glorified alarm clock. If your alarm clock could:
* tell you weather and traffic at a glance
* have multiple alarms per day, each with their own sounds, configurable in any way you want...if you want to wake up at a different time each day, with a different tone each day, it can handle that. (Really, if you've ever used your cellphone as your alarm clock, consider everything your cellphone can do as an alarm clock...this can do all the same stuff, without ever having to worry about all the problems of cellphones as alarm clocks.)
* quickly show you a few e-mails, status updates, or photos
* let you go to sleep/snooze to a podcast or internet video
If you look at that list and think, "wow, that's exactly what I want in an alarm clock," then you're the target user for the Sony Dash. Sadly, they're not marketing it to you at all. Really, they're barely doing anything to sell this device. I've seen exactly zero ads. Were it not for Engadget, I wouldn't have even known it was available or what it was. And, stupidly, what Sony is doing is positioning this so it goes up against things like the iPad and Archos tablet. Sony should be positioning this as the best damn alarm clock in the world. That's their mistake and what will, IMO, make this device fail.
On that note, I've seen alot of reviewers poo-poo the Sony Dash by saying "oh, my cellphone could do this" or "oh, my iPad does this better". Well, your cellphone and iPad don't do what this does, because neither of those devices are meant to sit still on a bedside table. Your cellphone and likely your iPad get up and leave when you do, which makes them nearly useless as an alarm clock unless you are a single person living alone. Even if you are a single person (or if you are willing to have separate devices for each person), you'd need to buy several accessories to make a cellphone or iPad sit as nicely as this does on a surface. So, long story short, a cellphone and an iPad appeal to a broader audience, no doubt, but, this device hits a very necessary niche for which the iPad and cellphone are ill-designed.
PROS:
* Very fast and easy setup on the device -- you can use the device without going to the web, but there are quite a few apps that require configuration via the web, and the web config has issues (see Cons list)
* Design is sleek. It looks damn cool on your bedside table.
* Pleasing UI, simple to navigate
* AccuWeather weather (a plus over other weather services, IMO)
* Sits securely (can be rubbed by cat without falling over)
* Bright and colorful screen, videos look great
* Completely customizable alarms and alarm clock
* NEW IN 6/2010 UPDATE: Customizable snooze length - 1,2,3,4,5,10,15,20,25, or 30 minutes
* "night mode" that dims the screen and shows only the clock, when the next alarm is set for and the weather in black and white...though I did notice today that it's got a little "mom" that writes itself in in cursive, which is kind of a cool "surprise" bit of chrome
* Price is just about right, in my opinion. If Sony ripped out everything but the alarm clock and weather functions, shrank the screen, and got it to $99 or $79, that'd be a very nice product...would beat the heck out of the American Innovative Neverlate Executive Alarm Clock. At $199, it's less than a netbook, less than many cellphones, and far less than the Apple products that could fit this space.
* Usable touch keyboard, fine for posting to Twitter or Facebook, but I wouldn't use it to type a long e-mail
* Really good selection of default sounds loaded
* Was able to access my Amazon Video on Demand purchased videos and play them easily, and since I haven't bought anything else that does that yet (except my PCs, of course), that's a nice feature for me.
CONS:
Now for the bad news. There are three issues that, in my opinion, are near blocking issues, but the silver lining to the cloud is that all three are likely to be resolved by Sony soon, and my rating reflects my strong belief that these will be resolved soon. Still, were I Sony, I'd feel great shame to have shipped this device with these issues as they are:
* USB drives are not working yet. This is huge, because they promise this on the box, and it's the only way to access your own music from the box (no DLNA or other wireless transfer support). It says "coming soon" if you attempt to play music or view pictures from a USB drive. Were I not in love with this as my alarm clock, I'd return it based on this alone. - RESOLVED IN JUNE 2010 UPDATE - USB drives are now accessible! You still cannot set an MP3 as a wake-up alarm, however.
* The web setup is a mess. The site itself looks shoddy, like no one actually cared enough to make it look nice...and the configuration area is not easily accessible from Sony's main site. You have to go to Sony's "MyEssentials" site (a term/brand that is in no way associated with the Dash), and that site is not linked from the Sony Dash page on Sony's site, nor from Sony's main site. Logging in from Sony's main site and clicking on "my devices" takes forever to load, so I never found out if I could get to the Dash config site from there. To find the config site after the initial setup, I ended up going to [...], trying my Sony login, and then Chumby re-directed me to the MyEssentials site. Basically, the setup on the Dash itself is so simple, but as soon as you hit the point that you need to use the web to configure something, you're lost. For this reason alone, I can't recommend this for non-geeks...which sucks because if this were fixed, I could see this being a really nice gift for a number of non-geeks in my family. I mean, this is basic stuff that they blew off, and it speaks volumes to Sony's lack of commitment to this device. - IMPROVEMENT IN JUNE 2010 UPDATE - It is no longer necessary to use the MyEssentials site to configure the Dash. You can do most day-to-day aspects of configuration from the device itself, though the device will still prompt you to register on MyEssentials during initial setup. This is particularly good because it turns out that Sony STILL has not improved the MyEssentials site for the Dash, and they can't reset passwords for your registered account through the website. You have to call customer service. If you try to reset your account's password through the MyEssentials site, it sends you to the SonyStyle site, which uses a different database of usernames and thus will not work.
* No web browser...which I wouldn't care about if there were more apps or if this weren't being sold as a "personal internet viewer"...but to call yourself an internet viewer and not have a browser is just sad. Plus, this makes the apps themselves frustrating. Most of them are just ported iPhone apps, which means they assume you can click links to view more.
There are also quite a few minor issues which Sony/Chumby could resolve in the next few months via software updates:
* Not enough "apps" (really, they're widgets)...lots of popular news and info sites are not represented, and the apps themselves are not the greatest quality.
* The layout options are limited. There's only two layouts, and neither of them are satisfying. For example, there's no layout that has two app panes. You can't customize shortcuts in any of the layouts, either, so you can't (for example) make sure that the Amazon Video shortcut is the first (or only) one available. - IMPROVED IN JUNE 2010 UPDATE - 2 new layouts are available, and they definitely improved on the usability.
* Not easy to switch between "channels" (different views with different apps...for example, I have a productivity channel that has my Gmail and Gcal in it and a separate social networking channel that has all of my social networks and news feeds), takes 4 steps to switch plus a not-insignificant load time. Basically makes the channel feature useless because it's too annoying to switch channels. You're better off just loading all the apps you want into your default channel.
* No copy/paste functionality...a pain if you're wanting to post a status to multiple sites...Read more›

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Your favorite parts of the Internet customized the way you choose, available in a dash. Over 1,000 free apps can be displayed at the touch of a finger. Choose from your favorite information and entertainment content including weather, traffic, social networking, movies, music and more--pushed right to your kitchen, bedroom, or office. The Dash Personal Internet Viewer connects quickly and easily to your existing wireless network and features a vibrant 7-inch LCD touchscreen for accessing a variety of video services for online music and viral videos, full-length feature movies and TV shows. You can also listen to MP3s and Internet radio via the built-in stereo speakers, or by using the headphone jack (headphones not included).

Streamline Your Life with Free Apps The 1500-plus apps available for the Dash Personal Internet Viewer deliver the information and entertainment you want--weather, traffic, social networking, movies, music, and more--right to your kitchen, bedroom, or office.
Listen to What You Want The Dash Personal Internet Viewer is a compact audio multi-tool: listen to MP3s and Internet Radio out loud with the built-in stereo speakers, or privately by using the headphone jack (headphones not included).
Customization Customizing the Dash home screen to fit your own personal needs and style is easy. Simply choose your favorite apps and theme that you want displayed.
Access to Sony Content Get access to the best Sony has to offer: movie trailers, minisodes, music videos, game trailers, and the latest deals from SonyStyle.com.
7-Inch LCD Touchscreen The WVGA 800x480 LCD touchscreen displays crystal clear photos and video from a wide viewing angle, and automatically adjusts the display for an upright or horizontal orientation.
Simple Setup Connect quickly and easily to your existing wireless network.
Elegant and Space Saving Design The compact size maximizes counter, bedside, and desktop spaces, and the timeless design blends in with any décor.
Easy-to-Use Clock and Alarms When you enter your zip code the device automatically sets the time for you. Set up custom alarms, either one-time or recurring, with the option of waking to Internet radio stations, built-in alarm sounds, or your favorite app.5
Multi-Source Video Content Access a variety of video services for online music and viral videos, full-length feature movies and TV shows you can watch and control on the brilliant LCD.
Convenience Stream the web content you specify through Internet apps, without the distraction of a PC. It's always on, always fresh, always available at a glance without the delay of booting up your PC.
Online Photo Access and Sharing For a great photo viewing experience the Dash Personal Internet Viewer conveniently loads and displays your photos from online services such as Photobucket, or you can simply view your photos directly via USB. The touchscreen user interface allows you to set effects, rotate photos, zoom, and play or pause photo slide shows.
USB 2.0 Interface Access audio, video or photo content stored on mass storage USB devices by connecting to the USB port.
What's in the Box Sony Dash Personal Internet Viewer and user's manual.

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