well , it tell time , have a alarm function , and make sound ... I just feel a lot of the sound be sound effect , if that make sense . Steam Train intrigue I , until I put it on . Aviary be OBNOXIOUS ! it sound like a bunch of bird duke it out ! City be nifty , though , thunderstorm be really cool . my real beef be that the speaker be in the back of this contraption . so everything get dull and muffle a bit . not a lot , but a bit . all in all , I like my old one just as much , but I do not really regret this purchase . I doubt other brand would be any different .