How many of you use your iPhone as a replacement for a bedside clock? With all the clock applications in the app store, or even the built in clock app, it’s an easy transition to make. The only issue would be leaving the app running all through the night so that you can easily check the time if you wake up. Can you say dead battery? Kensington has come to the rescue with a product that is part software and part hardware. It’s the Nightstand iPhone charging dock and clock / weather application. Interesting concept, but do you even really need it? Let’s see…
I’m kind of a clock fanatic and am always on the hunt for the ultimate clock. One with a bazillion alarms, buzzers, etc, so that I can completely customize my morning routine. When I saw the $40 price tag for the Nightstand, I hoped the features would impress me.
Package Contents
USB charging dock
USB AC wall adapter
Quick start guide
The charging dock is a one piece wedge shaped module that is weighted and has non-slip rubber covering on the bottom and sides.
When connected to the dock, your iPhone or Touch can be oriented either in portrait (shown above) or landscape orientations (shown below).
In either orientation, the rubber covering on the dock keeps your device from sliding around on your night stand or desk. As you can see from the image above, the dock keeps your device at the optimal viewing angle when in the landscape orientation.
The USB cable attached to the dock is 4 feet long, which may be too short for some people.
The other half of this product is the clock application which is called Rise&Shine. It’s a quick and free download from the app store.
The application is very simple. Your only options are clock type, brightness level, color, 24hr mode toggle, flash colon toggle and auto-lock toggle.
There are three clock styles: Reflection, Flip and Digital. All three can be used in either landscape or portrait orientations. Reflection and Digital can be customized with color. Flip is stuck at black and white.
As far as clock features, I was hoping for a bunch of alarm options. Unfortunately the Rise&Shine app doesn’t even have one alarm feature. If you want an alarm, you have to be set in the stock clock app. Bummer. 🙁
The Rise&Shine app does incorporate one additional feature though… a 5-day weather forecast that is based on your location. Again, it’s pretty simple…
I tried using the Nightstand on the nightstand in my bedroom for a few nights and didn’t have much luck. Although it worked fine as far as keeping the iPhone charged and powered on, I wasn’t able to tolerate the amount of light that the display projected. Even with the brightness turned completely off, to where you couldn’t easily read the time on the clock, it still lit up the room. I like my bedroom to be pretty dark, so it just didn’t work out for me.
But even if the light wouldn’t have been an issue, I’d have to say that this product is pretty much a waste of money. Why would you spend $40 on an iPhone charger cable and a USB AC adapter, when your iPhone comes with both? Granted, the cable doesn’t have a nifty built in stand like this one does, but you can easily hack something together with some LEGO bricks or even a piece of cardboard.
I usually like Kensington’s products, but this time they’ve disappointed me. My advice is to skip this one and go the DIY route. And if you do go DIY, tell how you’re using your iPhone as a bedside clock.
Product Information
| Price: | $39.99 |
| Manufacturer: | Kensington |
| Pros: |
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I Like It Is It .Available In The U.K
yeah, like i really want to burn out my backlight too? c’mon if they wanted to pimp this out they should have used the motion detector as an option when in close proximity when the user waves the hand in front of the sensor located by the ear receiver
That’s my question as well – I have an Android and there are number of free apps that do this exact thing.
Does anyone know if having the screen on for 8-10 hours like that causes damage or reduces the screen life in a practical way?
Given that most people will replace their iPhone every two to three years, I doubt that using this semi-frequently (like when traveling) would be enough to degrade the screen life in a way that would be a problem for most users. Using it as your alarm clock every night might be a different story altogether.
Personally, I’d be more concerned about how this might affect battery life.
I downloaded the app when you posted the blurb about this product initially. I’ve used it at my desk to have a large-sized clock I can see if my screen saver kicks in while I’m on the phone. I’ve found it to be a nice little app, but, as you found, a bit of a one-trick pony. For what it does, it’s nicely executed, though.
I was a little unnerved about the landscape orientation with the “kickstand” base, because it doesn’t look like it would support my morning thrashing for the clock. I’m rough enough on it when fumbling for it on the dresser, where I have to become conscious enough to walk over to it. If it was on the nightstand ringing right by my head, I’d crush it for sure!
This USB charger sound interesting, but I doubt ppl used their iphones as clock. I mean there are so many other interesting devices for this..
Something I have found that works better than this is my idox stand with my IPOD Touch as an alarm clock. I also like to use it with my white noise app as I am falling asleep (or trying to at least!) http://www.idox360.com/
Hi, I made an instructable based on this and it wont cost you a penny. A lot of people have checked it out and they like it. its http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-an-easy-iphone-alarm-clock-stand/
Cheers