Uploaded October 2015 | Updated September 2026, 1 week ago
The "hospitality" industry, as it is known, usually has the ability to outfit guest rooms with technology and equipment similar to what might be found in a guest's own home. Such examples of said technology include the televisions. Most are locked down and are restricted variants of consumer-level offerings, specially made for the hospitality industry. Likewise, the accompanying television remote controls provided for use with the televisions are altered and modified, allowing only basic control of the channel and volume settings of the TV. Some hotels have taken to phasing-out the use of basic AM/FM alarm clocks, and instead, replacing them with newer, more modern offerings such as these iHomes.
Despite sharing their design and features with the consumer division, there are a few differences which were specially tailored to suit a hotel or motel environment. The most notable feature is the printing of basic instructions on the top of the unit, detailing how to listen to music from an iPod, or how to set and use the alarm. To prevent theft, a metal safety cord is provided to allow the proprietor of the establishment the ability to secure the device to a wall or piece of furniture. Another interesting feature is the addition of a volume limiter switch, which is hidden behind a plastic cover on the rear; two settings, high and low, allow for the restriction of the unit's output volume level without the "guest" having any knowledge of it.
Aside from bearing mention of being manufactured and serviced by HTI Industries (Hotel Tech Industries), there aren't too many differences between these iHomes and those which are available to consumers. An FM tuner, line-level input, and 30 pin iPod/iPhone connector do provide for a means to appreciate and enjoy your own musical repertoire when traveling. Most surprisingly, however, is the impressive audio fidelity.
The newer models now come equipped with the lightning-style iPod/iPhone/iPad connector, which would've been no use to me, as the only iPod I own is much too old, and has only a 30 pin connector.
*The cellphone used for testing the iHomes was destroyed shortly after the production of this video. Just because somebody gave me it didn't mean I had to keep or use it. Did I mention my contempt for cellphones?
The "hospitality" industry, as it is known, usually has the ability to outfit guest rooms with technology and equipment similar to what might be found in a guest's own home. Such examples of said technology include the televisions. Most are locked down and are restricted variants of consumer-level offerings, specially made for the hospitality industry. Likewise, the accompanying television remote controls provided for use with the televisions are altered and modified, allowing only basic control of the channel and volume settings of the TV. Some hotels have taken to phasing-out the use of basic AM/FM alarm clocks, and instead, replacing them with newer, more modern offerings such as these iHomes.
Despite sharing their design and features with the consumer division, there are a few differences which were specially tailored to suit a hotel or motel environment. The most notable feature is the printing of basic instructions on the top of the unit, detailing how to listen to music from an iPod, or how to set and use the alarm. To prevent theft, a metal safety cord is provided to allow the proprietor of the establishment the ability to secure the device to a wall or piece of furniture. Another interesting feature is the addition of a volume limiter switch, which is hidden behind a plastic cover on the rear; two settings, high and low, allow for the restriction of the unit's output volume level without the "guest" having any knowledge of it.
Aside from bearing mention of being manufactured and serviced by HTI Industries (Hotel Tech Industries), there aren't too many differences between these iHomes and those which are available to consumers. An FM tuner, line-level input, and 30 pin iPod/iPhone connector do provide for a means to appreciate and enjoy your own musical repertoire when traveling. Most surprisingly, however, is the impressive audio fidelity.
The newer models now come equipped with the lightning-style iPod/iPhone/iPad connector, which would've been no use to me, as the only iPod I own is much too old, and has only a 30 pin connector.
*The cellphone used for testing the iHomes was destroyed shortly after the production of this video. Just because somebody gave me it didn't mean I had to keep or use it. Did I mention my contempt for cellphones?
