Barbie Petal Sound System with iPod Dock

First off, the dock portion is for iPod and nothing else. You can use other players with it, but they have to run off their battery and the sound goes in through some auxiliary connections behind the unit. The box says "for iPod" all over it, and even says the docking station charges iPods-- it does not say anywhere that the dock is for other players. There is one bubble that says there is an aux input for other players, including the pictured Barbie player (and believe me, it's a very tiny picture). Other devices will not dock with this product. It does not claim anywhere that other, non-iPod devices are dockable. I don't know how much more clear the packaging could be about this.

That said, it was easy to get out of the box, plug it in, and start using it. There are several trays included so that your player will fit comfortably, including a couple for non-iPods that do not dock with it. Find the tray that best cradles your device, and snap it in. Then plug it in, put in your iPod, and turn it on. The buttons are all pretty straightforward, and I imagine you'd have no trouble with the clock or the alarm.

While the sound is not of stereo quality, it does pump up the volume exactly like I need with my hearing issues. There's a radio on it in addition to the iPod dock, and it works like most any clock radio would. It's constructed so that the iPod sits at a near-perfect 90 degree angle, which is probably OK for bedside use. I'm using this in another area, and this would have been better for me if it tilted back a couple of degrees.

This is perfect for a child, as well as a nice addition to "the Barbie room" for you collectors out there. It looks really cute with my doll collection, and plays my movies and music while I'm in there moving things around or showing off my plastic girls. Great or kids-- and the kid in you.

Although this is cute, it gives the impression that it works with MP3 players - including the matching Barbie Petal MP3 player - but it does not. There is even a picture of the Barbie MP3 player on the box. You cannot dock the MP3 player, only plug it in and play it. We bought it specifically for my 7-year to go with her new very own MP3 player, and it did not work as advertised. They are very vague about it even in the instructions. It is perfect if you have an Ipod, but not an MP3 player.