Chumby (latte)

Pros: instant information, versatile, easily altered, entertaining to others

Cons: nothing really bugs me about the chumby

Summary: I've owned a chumby through the Insider's Release program for a few months. What makes chumby great is its current AND future versatility.

It really doesn't matter whether or not you think of/remember chumby for ONE killer app, as mentioned in the review. If you own a chumby, you will tend to use it for different activities, depending on the time of day or your mood.

My chumby has added to my personal efficiency at home because it feeds me information I need without having to boot up a computer, log onto a website, or turn on a TV, especially late at night or first thing in the morning.

Yes, chumby acts as MANY devices, all in one convenient and wonderfully updatable package.
- Alarm clock
- Digital photo frame
- iPod speaker system
- Internet radio
- Podcast player
- White noise generator
- Stock ticker
- Daily news source
- eBay auction watch
- And much more...

What I use regularly:
* The Weather Channel - key to prepare for the next day
* Flickr photos
* Sleep sound generator (white noise+)
* Shoutcast
* Mediafly.com podcasts (I work there)
* Chuck Norris Facts
* CNET news
* Engadget news
* Google news
* The Onion news
* "Screen Clean"
* You Tube videos

I also cycle different widgets in and out of various channels I've customized on chumby.com. (As I mentioned, the chumby is amazingly versatile!) Originally, I was just looking for a quality iPod clock radio, many of which are around the same $180 price point, if not higher. In buying a chumby, I got so much more! I personally do not think I have ever owned a device that is so versatile and will continue to evolve long after the initial purchase.

Critics may say that you can get most of the chumby information from a computer; while I love my computers, that's a completely different experience.

I guarantee you that if you really try a chumby, you'll like it- a LOT!