What the Sony Dash does and doesn't

Not quite an iPad, not quite a laptop and not quite an alarm clock, the Sony Dash is showing up at the top of many Father’s Day gift lists. The Sony Dash is the most costly and interactive alarm clock you’ll ever purchase. 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

The features of 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.

The Sony Dash and what it does

At first glance, the Sony Dash is essentially designed as an alarm clock media center. It will play YouTube, Pandora, Netflix and other media applications.Depending on some of the other developed applications you download, you may be able access Facebook and Twitter as well.In order to use any or all of these applications, you will need wireless internet access as part of your house. Without any kind of wireless internet, the Sony Dash is really just an expensive alarm.

What the Sony Dash doesn’t

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. Third, the Sony Dash does not necessarily log you into all your favored applications; you may have to go to your Sony Dash account on a computer to do so.

Who the Sony Dash is good for

For a hardcore computer user, the Sony Dash would likely be little a lot more than an costly toy. For others that only use computers each so often to take a 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.

Unless you can find a neighbor that is willing to share wifi with you, the device will set you back about $ 250 with connections.