O.K. So, you've invested in an iPod. Hasn't everyone?

You've got all the paraphernalia for your car, so you can listen to music on your Mini or Nano, iPod Photo or new Video as you drive. That is, unless you're lucky enough to own a Mercedes or BMW. If that's the case, you don't need all that other stuff -- just your iPod, and your hands on the steering wheel.

If you're smart, you've also invested in a Bose SoundDock System for your living room, dining room, kitchen, library and work-out room.

But what I know you really want is to wake up to the "favorite" you've downloaded from iTunes.com.

The majority of people in the world rely on an alarm to help them wake-up in the morning.

Now, thanks to Tivoli Audio, waking up to an alarm has become "pure music to our ears".

As of Tuesday, November 8th 2005, Tivoli began shipping their new iPod stereo speaker system along with seven dock adapters and a remote control.

This system is called an iSongBook.

A Portable Sanctuary for Your Soul

Rugged Elegance calls it a "portable sanctuary for your soul".

iPodGarage.com said, "Unless and until someone else comes up with something even better, we have no trouble deeming the iSongBook the king of the hill when it comes to high-quality compact iPod speaker systems."

The system works with any iPod with dock connector port (via its Universal Dock system).

The dock adapters assure a snug fit between your iSongBook and your particular type of iPod -- depending upon whether you have a Nano, the new slim fifth-generation iPod, the mini or an iPod Photo.

The new iSongBook features a highly sensitive integrated digital AM/FM tuner for clear and precise reception with a 9k/10k switch for AM reception outside North America.

It also features an adjustable, telescoping FM antenna and built-in AM antenna.

Stations may be tuned manually or via 5 AM and 5 FM favorite station preset buttons with a "seek" function to automatically search for signals in any country around the world.

The iSongBook comes with a wireless credit card-style remote control that can operate either the iSongBook or the iPod, when docked.

There is no need for an additional dock connector.

A cool flip-down dock charges the iPod while it plays.

The iSongBook features an auxiliary input and stereo headphone output, detachable second speaker, 6-foot audio cable with rewind mechanism and an optional carry bag.

You can detach the right speaker and put it at a distance from the left speaker in order to create a great stereo sound effect.

By detaching the right speaker entirely you have the flexibility of taking the system with you when you travel.

In a hotel room, one speaker should be enough.

Jon Schwartz from Tivoli Audio states, "In addition to playing with AA alkaline batteries, the user can also load NiMH or NiCAD batteries and the iSongBook will automatically charge them using its built in recharging system."

To ensure you get up on the right side of the bed, the iSongBook includes a digital clock that can operate as an alarm.

For lazy bums, the Tivoli Audio iSongBook includes a 20-minute sleep timer that can be set to wake you up to your iPod or your favorite radio station.

On our "day of rest" -- before church -- that would be KFOG 104.5's Acoustic Sunrise, if you're lucky enough to live in the San Francisco Bay Area.

On every other day, after Santa comes, no matter where you live, that could be great sounds, such as:

The Essential Yo-Yo Ma (released Aug. 16th)

"Catching Tales" by Jamie Cullum (released Oct. 11th)

"Gold" by Cat Stevens (to be released Nov. 15th)

"Amarantine" by Enya (Nov. 22nd) - her first album in five years

"My Lives" by Billy Joel (Nov. 22nd)

All are available to order now.

For people like me, who often need a dose of music to help them get back to sleep in the middle of the night, the iSongBook offers an "on demand" backlit blue LCD display, so you can pick your favorite "lullabies".

For those interested in portability, the whole unit weighs only 2.81 pounds.

And for those, like me, who like to travel with their iPod, consider not only its weight but also its measurements.

Measuring at just 6-3/16" H x 11-1/16" W x 2-3/16" D, heck at that size, I can fit it in my Tumi computer backpack along with my Apple PowerBook.

iPodGarage.com's Bill Palmer added in his review of Tivoli Sound's latest and greatest:

There's so much to like about the iSongBook that we're almost afraid of leaving something out. There's the Alarm and Sleep functions which make the iSongBook a nice bedroom device, as does the nice bright blue backlight on the screen. And then there are the little intuitive things such as the fact that if you flip the knob from "iPod" to "FM radio" the iPod will automatically pause -- only to automatically begin playing again when you turn the knob back to the iPod setting.

These little details have shades of Apple-like design all over them.

Suffice it to say that the more we used the iSongBook, the more we fell in love with it.

The Tivoli Audio iSongBook costs $329.99.

Needless to say, this is an inexpensive price to pay if it helps get the kids up in the morning.

Or you back to sleep at 1am, after your teenager rolls in.

Tom DeVesto, Chairman and CEO of Tivoli Audio said today:

The iSongBook is so versatile as a traveling music system for the iPod that it has a universal docking station that will perfectly fit all current iPod models, regardless of size.

With the iSongBook, the iPods becomes a full-bodied music system, unlike any other.

Inspire & Be Inspired.

Here's to healthy, adventuresome, soulful, "musical sanctuary wherever-you-go" living!

~ Jennifer Carolyn King, Rugged Elegance, LLC

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