Hilton's iPod wake-up call
Scott Ard Former Editor in Chief, CNET
CNET former Editor in Chief Scott Ard has been a journalist for more than 20 years and an early tech adopter for even longer. Those two passions led him to editing one of the first tech sections for a daily newspaper in the mid 1990s, and to joining CNET part-time in 1996 and full-time a few years later.
The corporate giant that operates the Hilton, Doubletree and Embassy Suites hotel chains is refitting thousands of rooms with clock radios that permit visitors to wake up to any tunes stored on their iPods.
Each radio includes a jack that allows any music player to be connected to the alarm clock, but Hilton is playing up the iPod and iTunes angle. Each day, visitors to the company's Web site can enter to win prizes that include iTunes gift certificates, one of the new clocks (saves you from having to stuff one into your carry-on bag), an iPod Mini, a couple nights free in a hotel, or all of the above.
One entry is allowed each day, and just to make sure it doesn't slip your mind, the company has created downloadable software that mimics the alarm clock, reminding you that it's time submit another entry form for that iTunes certificate, valued at $10. If you win, don't forget to declare it on your taxes.