I needed a new clock radio. The old one that I had has become flaky, and I decided that I’d jump out on a limb and get something that would be in line with the fact that I am a nerd. So I got this Phillips Clock Radio Charging Station With Bluetooth at my local Best Buy. Here’s a look at what comes in the box:
Besides the radio, you get a power adapter as well as different cradles. One is a Micro USB cradle for non Apple devices. The others are for Apple 30-Pin connectors and Apple Lightning connectors and they need cables for them to work. But neither of those cables are included in the package. Given that there’s no MFI logo on it to say that it was certified for use with Apple’s suite of iDevices, and that costs a company who wants to be MFI certified money, which in turn would make this clock radio more expensive, I am guessing that this is the reason behind the lack of Apple cables.
On the back near the bottom is a USB port. All it does is charge the device that you plant on the top. No data is sent through this port. As you can see here, you wrap the cable around the back and feed it up through the top. There’s also a 1/8″ jack if you want feed audio from an audio source that doesn’t have Bluetooth.
You push the Lightning connector through the cradle. The key point here that this system only works with Apple branded cables. If you use any other Lighting cable, it will not snap into and stay in place. To make matters worse, this is not stated anywhere in the instructions that come with the clock radio. Thus when I was having troubles with the cables that I had on hand, I made a guess as to the reason why and I guessed right. Now I didn’t have an Apple Lightning cable lying around because as frequent readers of this blog will know, I find the quality of Apple Lightning cables to be horrific. So I had to drop $30 at the Apple Store to grab one to make the clock radio work. My advice to Phillips would be to include cables that work, say that you need an Apple Lightning cable, or get your product MFI certified which would allow you to build the cradles with both Lightning and 30-pin connectors. It would make it way more consumer friendly.
Here’s the net result with my iPhone 6 on top.
Once you assemble everything, and pop in a pair of AA batteries to keep the settings intact in the event of a power outage, you can set the time, alarms (you have two of them) and preset the FM stations that you like (up to 10 of them). There’s no AM tuner. You can also pair your iDevice or Android device via Bluetooth to stream music. The pairing process is painless. So is the setup for the most part.
So, how well does it work? Here’s a quick rundown:
- The audio quality is very good. There’s no stereo separation. But all the audio is rich and well defined. You will have no complaints on that front.
- If someone phones you, and you have Bluetooth turned on, you can answer the phone using the phone button on the top and use the phone as a clock radio. It does work, but I have to admit in the middle of the night when my iPhone rings, I simply pick it up and answer it as that is the natural reaction to being woken up by a ringing phone. One other thing, Bluetooth has to be enabled for this to work. If you have Bluetooth turned off, you’re picking up the phone to answer it as pressing the phone button will do nothing.
- The alarm starts out gentle and gets louder until you turn it off. That way you wake up gently as opposed to being shocked out of bed.
Gripes? If your phone has a case, you’ll have to take it out of the case to use the cradle. And then there’s the aforementioned lack of Apple cables in the box. If Phillips did something about the latter, it might have gotten more of an endorsement from me. But as it is, you have to factor in the $70 CDN for the clock radio and the $30 CDN for the genuine Apple cable of your choice if you have an iDevice. That’s $100 for the clock radio in total. That’s kind of pricey. But considering that companies like iHome sell clock radios at the $130 CDN and up price point with everything in the box, I guess it’s in line. And if you’re not using an iDevice, it’s a bit of a deal. The bottom line is that the sound quality is good, and it is easy to set up. If you need a clock radio that works with your smartphone, the Phillips Clock Radio Charging Station With Bluetooth is worth a look.
Upgrade Movie Nights With These Portable Projectors From Phillips
Posted in Commentary with tags Phillips on April 23, 2021 by itnerdWith a rich heritage in vision products, Philips is a trusted trendsetter. In a year of many challenges and changes, the company has perfectly caught the wave of a booming trend, projection. Philips Projection is now launching 6 new types of NeoPix Home Projectors and PicoPix Portable Projectors that will be available at special prices from April 2021.
How consumers access and view content has radically shifted as Netflix, Amazon Prime and YouTube came of age via streaming. Streaming and subscription platforms now dominate media consumption, streaming and beaming are made for each other. The gaming industry has also significantly changed over the years and has evolved to a continuously growing 200 billion market. Mobile gaming is currently the fastest growing sector of this followed by console gaming.
Boasting vibrant images and booming sound the NeoPix and PicoPix Collections transform digital devices with small screens such as laptops by easily connecting and projecting expansive projected media up to 120”. The NeoPix Collection is designed for entry-level consumers looking to elevate their visual experience, while the PicoPix Collection is thoughtfully crafted for those always on the go and want to share their media with peers and project anywhere they want.
The new feature-packed range unlocks online streaming, casting the images and setting them free from small screens. Projection is ideal for families and groups to enjoy immersive viewing together. Not only are projectors audience inclusive but so too is the new range of devices. Philips offers a diverse choice of features, price points, and use cases, we might say, “compact in size and compact on price”.
Meet The Next Generation Of Home & Mobile Projectors
This mobile projector is compact but very powerful as it displays content with true Full HD 1080p up to 120” with lifelike colors thanks to the 4Ch LED. The PicoPix Max One is for the value-centric consumer, as it retains the same PicoPix Max light power and resolution, yet delivering the experience at a lower entry cost. The battery life of the PicoPix Max One lasts for an extended period of 5 hours, the perfect companion for work and play. This device comes with a USB-C port for seamless connection between laptops, smartphones, tablets, and other devices.
Get the PicoPix Max One for only $529.99.
Neopix Ultra 2
The Neopix Ultra 2 will truly elevate users’ viewing experience with its True Full HD 1080p Resolution up to 65”. This device utilizes a range of connection options such as Dual-Band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and an integrated multimedia player. Neopix Ultra 2 also comes with snazzy pre-loaded apps like Youtube, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and more making the setup process a breeze.
Get the Neopix Ultra 2 for only $349.99.
NeoPix Ultra 2TV
This state-of-the-art home projector provides a captivating Android TV (via Dongle) experience in Full HD 1080p up to 120”. Consumers need not worry about lag time as this device is packed with dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and HDMI & SPDIF. No speakers? No problem! The NeoPix Ultra 2TV delivers booming sound with its 2x15watts surround and bass boost for maximum power with a dedicated DSP. Enjoy content based on personal preferences with its vertical and horizontal keystone.
Get the Neopix Ultra 2TV for only $399.99.
PicoPix Micro 2TV
This projector is designed for those always on the go. The PicoPix Micro 2TV is the most compact projector in Philip’s new line. This fun-sized device is a super bright Android TV-based projector with a USB type C video port and HDMI. It’s small but mighty, with its long-lasting battery projecting up to 4 hours on an 80” diagonal.
Get the PicoPix Micro 2TV for only $399.99.
NeoPix Prime 2
Take things up a notch while keeping it simple with the NeoPix Prime 2. Similar to the NeoPix Easy 2+, this device comes in an ultra-portable 8.6×6.6×3.5inch body. Don’t judge this innovation by its size as it delivers True 720p Resolution for a projection up to 80”, WiFi screen mirroring, Bluetooth, and HDMI connectivity. Never run out of things to view again as this device is packed with pre-loaded applications such as Youtube and Netflix. This innovative home projector allows users to share the sound or keep silent with its built-in 3.5 jack for speakers or a personal headset.
Get the NeoPix Prime 2 for only $199.99.
For more product information, please visit http://www.usa.philips.com/c-m-so/projectors.
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