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(Credit: iLuv/Jwin)

Earlier in 2008, iLuv made news with its release of the i168, one of the most affordable tabletop HD Radios to date (currently available for less than $100). Now the company is turning its sights toward online audio with the iNT170. The bedside clock radio employs the same chassis as the i168, but it offers thousands of streaming Internet radio stations (via your home wired or Wi-Fi network) instead of HD Radio. The dual alarms can be set to wake to an Internet station, over-the-air FM, or a buzzer, and the unit offers 40 presets--20 for FM, 20 for Net radio. Sports fans take note: there's no over-the-air AM, and even those stations which are available online often black out their game broadcasts to keep from running afoul of league rules.

The iLuv iNT170 is available now for $200. We'd expect that price to drop even further, as it competes with models such as as the RCA RIR200 Infinite Radio and Grace ITC-IR1000B. Likewise, we hope that iLuv is able to add compatibility with additional online music services, such as Slacker (found on the RCA) and Pandora (available on the Grace). But at least you won't have to worry about setting the time: the iNT170 automatically synchronizes itself with an online master clock.

Related coverage: Wi-Fi radio roundup.

The Pure-Fi Anytime: One of Logitech's latest iPod clock radios. But how does it compare to the other models in the Pure-Fi line?

(Credit: Logitech)

Logitech's line of Pure-Fi iPod speaker docks has swelled to six, and CNET's reviewed pretty much every one. Some of the models have very similar features and price points, so it seemed like a perfect candidate for a cheat sheet:

*The Pure-Fi Anywhere 2 is not yet reviewed, but it's pretty much identical to the original Pure-Fi Anywhere, but with the addition of iPhone shielding.
**The Pure-Fi Express isn't yet reviewed, but it's effectively a renamed version of the older AudioStation Express.

Basically, go with the Elite if you want the best sound quality--we still think it's one of the best-sounding models from any manufacturer, and it's available for as little as a third of its list price. The Dream or the Anytime are good choices if you want full clock/radio functionality, while the Anywhere 2, Express, or Express Plus are good if you want portability.

Of course, if you want to move beyond Logitech offerings, check out our list of best iPod speakers.

Have a favorite iPod speaker of your own? Share your suggestion below.

(Credit: CNET)

Ever since iHome put out its popular--and growing--line of affordable iPod clock radios, other companies have followed suit and introduced their own competing models. Logitech has been a little slow in bringing out its take on this emerging category, but the wait is mostly worth it. The Pure-Fi Dream is a solid--and stylish--little audio system that gives the competition a serious run for its money.

Click here to read the full review.

(Credit: iHome)

The wildfire popularity of the iPod has given rise to many accessory businesses and other cottage industries, many of which are explicitly marketed for Apple's media player even when they'll work with others. Which, by the way, is exactly what makes this next item so distinctive: Not only is it aimed at a non-iPod product, but it's made specifically for the lowly Zune.

iHome's ZN9 is being touted as "the world's first clock radio for the Zune," as Gizmodo points out. Given the limited popularity of Microsoft's media player, it's either a gutsy or misguided move, but it's a risk iHome is well equipped to handle: Its bets are already hedged with far more products that cater to the rival iPod.

In fact, we're not even sure what makes this clock dock specific to the Zune; so many of its features are similar to those of other products made for the iPod, including dual alarms, backlit LCDs, and different times for the weekdays and weekends. But if you're simply the type who likes to go against the grain, this may be right for you.

The Philips AJL308 has quietly slipped onto the market.

(Credit: Amazon)

Around this time each year I start trolling the Web, looking for potentially interesting products that we should review for the holiday buying season. So, there I was, scanning Amazon for new Philips digital photo frames, and lo and behold I came across this $130 Philips AJL308 7-Inch Digital Picture Frame, Alarm Clock, Radio and MP3 player. For some reason, I hadn't seen it before.

The Amazon product description reads as follows:

"This is the perfect item for your bedside, as it functions as a clock radio, alarm clock, and digital picture frame. This beautifully styled dual alarm clock radio will wake you with your favorite FM radio station or your personalized MP3 music. Comes preloaded with music or easily download your favorite music with USB connection from your PC or memory stick. Also has SD/MMC slot, so it's easy to upload picture files and enjoy your favorite photos while listening to the music of your choice. You can even upload video clips from the USB or SD card slot. The built-in FM radio has 20 presets and a dual-alarm function with gentle wake mode, which gradually increases the music volume. The 7-inch display screen can also display a large time readout and calendar functions. All of this makes the AJL308 multifunction frame the perfect item for your bedside table."

The Philips PR rep (from the company's outside agency) I spoke with to request a review sample seemed kind of surprised the product was available, even though Amazon's site says it's been selling the AJL308 for a few months. "That's not supposed to be out yet," he said.

Anybody intrigued? Would you consider buying one for yourself or doling one out as a gift?

(Credit: iHome)

After having done its level best to corner the iPod clock radio market, iHome is expanding into mobile phone accessories. But despite its extensive experience with media players, the new business won't necessarily be a slam dunk.

As Chip Chick rightly notes, wireless speakers and other Bluetooth accessories have proven to be rocky terrain for other companies, and iHome's new iHC5S system is trying to succeed on multiple fronts--as a four-speaker stereo, MP3 clock radio, speakerphone and who knows what else, for $150. It's an effort well worth trying, however, as mobile phone makers continue to morph their handsets into full-fledged media players.

As for us, we'll hold out they integrate an automatic coffee-making feature to go along with the alarm clock.

Sony's ICF-C1iP iPod clock radio

(Credit: Sony)

Sony's taken the wraps off two more iPod-compatible home audio products: the ICF-C1iP clock radio, and the ZS-S2iP boom box. The ICF-C1iP clock radio is available in black or white and offers an adjustable backstop for accommodating various sizes of 'Pods in the built-in dock. Otherwise, it's a pretty standard feature set for the clock radio category--adjustable brightness control; AM/FM radio; wake to iPod, radio, or alarm; and wireless remote. Personally, i think the clock's digital display--along the bottom of the iPod dock--seems like it would be too easily obscured, but maybe I just have too many books on my nightstand.

Picture this. It's Monday morning. You're a little bleary from your weekend indulging, and it's time for your virtuous 6 a.m. trip to the gym to sweat out those toxins. But your old clock radio only gets two choices, troubling reports from war zones or the local pop radio station. Not wishing to subject yourself to treacly theme songs or fearsome news reports first thing in the morning, preferring to ease yourself into the day with a little Megadeth, perhaps, what will you do?

You can't just plug one of those clunky plastic dial timers into your olde-tyme CD player like you did when you were in grade school. Nope, you need a combo alarm clock-clock radio-iPod speaker ensemble. Luckily, with props to Dealhack, we just saw one posted on Meritline at a discounted price. When you use the coupon code AC20939715OFF during checkout, get 25% off the usual price and enjoy free shipping while the deal lasts.

This device works with iPod Mini, iPod 4th Generation, iPod Nano and iPod Video.

(Credit: Meritline.com)

What: iClock stereo alarm clock with radio tuner for iPod
How much: $45
Shipping: Free
Where: Meritline (via Dealhack)
When: Through July 8, 2007