What the Sony Dash doesn’t and does

Not quite an iPad, not quite a laptop and not quite an alarm clock, the Sony Dash is showing up at the top of a lot of Father’s Day gift lists. The Sony Dash is intended as probably the most costly, interactive alarm clock you’ve ever purchased. The Sony Dash can run apps and connect you to the web – but are all the features worth the price.

Resource for this article: What the Sony Dash does and doesn’t By Personal Money Store

Features of the Sony Dash

First, the tech specs of the Sony Dash. The device is only plug in. On the top there is a power and snooze button and a seven inch touch screen. The display has about 800 x 480 pixels. The processor has 500 MHz and has 256 MB of RAM. You will find built in stereo speakers and there is also a WiFi connection. There is a Chumby-based interface with the operating system is Linux.

What the Sony Dash will do

The Sony Dash is essentially intended as a “first glance” alarm clock and media center. It will play YouTube, Pandora, Netflix and other media applications.Downloads for other developed apps could be available also and these will allow you to access online websites like Twitter and Facebook.In order to use the applications, you have to have wireless internet inside your house. Without wireless internet, the Sony Dash is really just a $ 200 alarm clock.

What the Sony Dash doesn't' do

The Sony Dash does have its limitations. First, the Dash does not have a battery – which means you are stuck next to a power outlet. Second, there is no programming solution for streaming or downloading your own content; you are able to only stream things off the internet. The Sony Dash also doesn’t necessarily log you into all your preferred applications; you may have to go to your Sony Dash account on a computer to do so.

Who to get the Sony Dash for

For a hardcore computer user, the Sony Dash would likely be little a lot more than an costly toy. For individuals who use computers to look at pictures and watch a TV show, though, the Sony Dash may be a great option. The only major limitation that exists with it is that without a pre-existing wireless internet connection, the Sony Dash is fairly much useless.

The device runs about $ 200, though even the most basic of wifi connections will be one more $ 50 — unless you can convince your next-door neighbor to be friendly and share.