If you travel frequently for work, you’ve probably seen one of a number of 30-pin alarm clocks that have almost become standard at business hotels. That was great while we had 30-pin iOS devices, but now that we’ve mostly moved to Lightning, it is mostly just lip service – about as convenient and up to date as that wired room line phone installed next to the toilet.

Philips hopes to remedy the transition to Lightning with their new-ish AJ7260D/37 Dual Dock Triple Charging Clock Radio which retails for around $130. I’ve been using the alarm/clock radio for about a month now and here are my observations:

Firstly, I didn’t think I needed an alarm clock. I use my phone’s alarm to wake up and I almost never listen to the radio anymore. I also have some of the best inexpensive portable Bluetooth speakers on the market if I want to listen to music in my bedroom. I probably wouldn’t have sought a product like this out, especially at the $130 price point.

That said, I’ve quickly become addicted to this alarm clock/dock/radio. Instead of looking all over for the charging cable at night, I have this dock on the nightstand that charges both my iPhone 5s as well as two other devices  – usually my kids’ iPad 3 and an Android device via the rear USB port. Everything is exactly where I expect it every morning, always 100% charged.

Also, a dedicated alarm is nice in those rare instances where I’ve left my phone in the car or in a coat pocket downstairs. It is nice to just have the alarm to wake me up without having to go find my phone before going to sleep. Speaking of convenience, if I wake up in the middle of the night, I don’t have to reach all over to find my iPhone see what time it is – the ‘not too bright’ white LED time display is a glance away.

Waking up to your favorite music over quality speakers is a step up from my tinny iPhone speakers. As for the sound? It is extremely good for such a small form factor. I’d put it somewhere between a Logitech Boom and a Bose Soundlink Mini. Certainly it is many steps up from the iHome-type ‘alarm docks’ out there.

The Lightning port is in front and the 30-pin is right behind it.  Annoyingly, you can pretty much forget about using whatever is in the 30-pin adapter even if the Lightning adapter is empty because of the transparent plastic  is a few inches away and blocks the bottom part of the display. Another annoyance: it isn’t easy to configure this thing (like any standard alarm clock). It took some scanning the manual to set everything up, though the most important thing –setting up the time – is done automagically, syncing with the iPhone’s clock.

You can also put iPad minis and full sized iPads on here and they mostly work as expected, though they do cover some of the front buttons  if they are in the lightning port.

Overall, I’m a fan and can recommend the Philips AJ7260D/37 Dual Dock Triple Charging Clock Radio for people in mixed 30-pin/Lightning households. If you are just looking for straight lightning docks, check out the much less expensive models that Philips offer. 

I’m hoping to start seeing these in hotels too.

More at Philips and below:

Enrich your sound experience • Dual docking system to charge and play your iPod/iPhone/iPad • Neodymium speaker driver for rich and clear sound • 8W RMS total output power • FM digital tuning with presets Easy to use • Auto clock synchronization with iPod/iPhone/iPad when docked • Dock any iPod/iPhone/iPad, even in its case • Extra USB for charging an additional smartphone or tablet • Time and alarm backup for on-time wakeup even with power cut • Audio-in for easy portable music playback Start the day your way • Wake up to your iPod/iPhone/iPad music or radio tunes • Dual alarm to wake you and your partner at different times • Weekday/ weekend alarm setting to complement your lifestyle

Specifications -Dual dock triple charging clock radio Lightning connector 30-pin connector, USB charging, for iPod/iPhone/iPad iPhone compatibility • Compatible with: iPhone 5, iPhone 4S, iPhone 4, iPhone 3GS iPod compatibility • Compatible with: iPod touch 5th generation, iPod touch 4th generation, iPod touch 3rd generation, iPod touch 2nd generation, iPod nano 7th generation, iPod nano 6th generation, iPod nano 5th generation, iPod nano 4th generation, iPod nano 3rd generation iPad compatibility • Compatible with: iPad with Retina display, iPad mini, iPad 2 Audio Playback • Cradle playback mode: Charging iPhone, Charging iPod, Fast forward and backward, Play and Pause, Next and Previous track Tuner/Reception/Transmission • Tuner bands: FM • Frequency range: 87.5-108 MHz • Auto digital tuning • Station presets: 20 • Antenna: FM Antenna Clock • Type: Digital • Time format: 12H, 24H Alarm • No. of alarms: 2 • Alarm source: Dock, FM radio, Buzzer • 24 hours alarm reset • Snooze (repeat alarm): Yes, 9mins • Sleep timer: 15/ 30/ 60/ 90/ 120 mins Convenience • Display Type: LCD • Backlight color: White • Display Enhancements: Brightness Control Sound • Sound Enhancement: Digital Sound Control, Dynamic Bass Boost • Sound System: Stereo • Output power (RMS): 8W • Volume control: up/down Loudspeakers • Built-in speakers: 2 • Main Speaker: Bass Reflex Speaker System Connectivity • Audio in (3.5mm) • USB: USB 2.0 x 1 USB Charging • Yes • 5V, 2.1A Power • Power type: AC input • Mains power: 100-240V, 50/60Hz • Backup battery: AA (not included) • Number of batteries: 2 Dimensions • Product dimensions (WxDxH): 263 x 163 x 135 mm • Packaging dimensions (WxDxH): 319 x 227 x 185 mm • Weight: 1.13 kg • Weight incl. Packaging: 2.1 kg Accessories • Quick start guide • World Wide Warranty leaflet