Zune Thoughts - Daily News, Views, Rants and Raves

The Gomadic chargers are very slick, and we recently did a Quick Look on the 2-in-1 Charger pictured above. If you aren't familiar, the system uses what they call "Tip Exchange" so all you need is one cable and a tip for each device, instead of having to carry around separate charging cables. They pretty much cover every device know to man, or at least it seems that way (the brand list is here).

Now the folks at Gomadic are being generous enough to give away four (4) of their 2-in-1 Charging cables as well as two tips to be chosen by each winner. Since Gomadic has such wide coverage on devices, this is a network-wide contest. To win, all you have to do is go to the Tip Exchange page and pick two of the charging tips you want to go with your 2-in-1 Charger. Post the two numbers along with a reply to this post and you are entered. You MUST post the two tip numbers in your reply or your entry won't be counted.

One post per person, and the contest closes on Friday the 19th of March at 12pm Pacific time, GMT -7. This contest is world-wide with Gomadic providing the shipping. Remember that all first posts in our system are held in moderation, so if this contest entry is your first post, please wait up to 48 hours before getting concerned if your post hasn't shown up yet - it will. Winners will be contacted via private forum message, so have email notifications turned on. Winners will have 72 hours to claim their prize.

"With its expansive new range of earphones, Sennheiser is taking music on the move to another level. Altogether the 22 new models, designed specifically for use with portable players, offer a first-class audio experience and the Sennheiser quality you have come to expect. Each set of headphones features fashion-forward designs to complement any taste."

There is no doubt that the most important accessory that you can buy for your Zune or any PMP is a better set of headphones. And if you were having a hard time deciding which of your options were best before now, well, wait until you check out Sennheiser's new line of headphones! Read more...

This week we're looking at the ZuneOne Travel Case for Zune 4/8/16/30/80/120 ($12.95 USD). Similar to the official Zune Gear Bag, this case wasn't designed for day-to-day use—you need to take it out in order to access the screen, buttons, etc.—but rather, as a means of transporting your player or players and headphones, sync cable, and screen wipes in a convenient, protected shell. In this regard, the Travel Case succeeds. Though as with most other cases, it won't suit all needs equally. Read more...

"For comparisons sake, they were producing clearer sound, with much heavier base than the previously reviewed Ihome Alarm Clock / Speakers (which also fit the 100$ price point). Built in are options for Surround Sound effect, and Bass Boost. Both are nice additions, but it was the Base Boost I found most noticeable, and impressive considering the speakers don’t have a sub-woofer. For it’s size, it could certainly get loud and had the ability to “fill a room with sound” as advertised."

As I mentioned last week, Altec Lansing has released its new iM414v2 speaker dock for the Zune line. My only concern at the time was that the previous version of the dock I had used with my Zune 80 had produced less-than-impressive results and that didn't make me very excited about the new dock they have.

Well, Mobilitysite did a review of the new dock and as you can see from the above quote, they were pretty pleased with the sound! Check out their full review for more information but it looks like that Altec Lansing has delivered a quality product judging by the review. I'm glad to find out that the dock is better than I expected because the Zune needs all the peripherals it can get!

If you want to get one, you can pre-order it for $99.95.

"The ZLive NS108B speaker system makes sharing your music a snap. This system connects to all Zune players through the certified connection. You also can connect to any MP3 player, cell phone, or video game system through the line input. Control your music from across the room with the remote, and enjoy room-filling sound from the acoustically calibrated stereo speakers."

Here's another Zune speaker dock for your listening pleasure. It's got the requisite charging/play dock, large speaker wall, and remote for playing across the room, but it also features a clock and RCA video-out for using your Zune with a TV. The speaker dock is available at Amazon for $60 (Affiliate link), which seems a little steep to me, but Jason saw it last week for $35, so it's likely to come down in price again soon.

"Today, Altec Lansing introduced the latest member of its inMotion line of music docks -- the inMotion® iM414V2. The inMotion iM414V2 is designed for the Zune HD and Zune in addition to any devices with a 3.5mm headphone jack including CD, DVD and MP3 players. Packed with features including a built-in FM radio, HD Radio technology and an easy to carry design, the iM414V2 is a perfect companion for music on the go."

Well this seems like a pretty nice speaker dock from Altec Lansing. The name, iM414V2, really rolls off the tongue too! It appears to be a pretty straight forward dock. It's advertised to fill the room with sound and bass without a subwoofer. I have to say I tried one of their docks before and I was underwhelmed by the sound it produced. It was suitable for your desk at work if you have an office but definitely didn't impress me as I washed my car to it!

This is a newer dock and Altec Lansing generally makes good sound equipment. It's not inexpensive at $99.99 but its also not out of line with similar products. So if you're looking for a gift idea for your Zune this holiday season, the iM414V2 could be the one! Just make sure you write it out in big letters and numbers so people have some idea what you're asking for.

Check out the full press release here.

"In recent months, I’ve been intrigued by the new, very small projectors that are becoming available. Lately I’ve been looking at the P1 Pico Projector, kindly sent to me from AAXA Technologies. This projector displays pictures and videos on a wall or screen, and it literally fits in a shirt pocket. At a mere 6 ounces, it’s definitely an easy item to carry around. And it runs quietly and coolly - its 6 lumen LED lamp is not as bright as full-size image projectors, but also avoids the loud fans and heat generation that come with those larger units."

Zunerama head Harvey Chute got his hands on a cool looking portable mini projector by AAXA. In the neverending quest for better video options on plane trips and the like, it appears the the Pico holds its own fairly well, although Harvey reports some contrast issues in less than ideal light conditions and the hour-long battery charge could prove to be an issue if you're planning on watching for any extended period of time. Check out the read link for the full review.

"While browsing Amazon I noticed a new Kicker Dock I had not seen before. I jumped over to Kicker’s website to get the full details. It looks like Kicker has two new speaker systems designed to be compatible with the Zune HD. Depending on what you are looking for, both look like great alternatives to the ZK500; which is also compatible with the Zune HD."

Wow, these looks pretty amazing! Neville at Inside the Circle spotted a couple new Zune speaker docks coming from Kicker. You have two options. There's the ZK350 which is basically a portable boom box and the ZK150 which is a radio alarm clock. The ZK150 is especially intriguing because there is a dearth of good radio alarm docks for the Zune. Both of these docks are compatible with all Zune models which is a smart move Kicker's part!

They're a bit pricey as the ZK350 will be retailing at $199.95 and the ZK150 will be $179.95. The alarm dock is especially expensive for an alarm clock. But then again a good alarm clock could be pretty important to people (I know it is for me!). Style-wise I think these are also much nicer looking than the ZK500 that's been out for a while.

Jason already reviewed the ZK500 a couple months back and while these are obviously different you can at least get a feel for what Kicker makes. The ZK350 isn't available in Amazon yet but the ZK150 can be pre-ordered here.

Vaja is well known for the luxurious leather cases for pretty much any personal electronic device that you can think of. Therefore it should come as no surprise that they’ve released a leather case for the Zune HD. The price is actually very reasonable for a Vaja case, starting at only $50 and I’m sure the leather quality is top notch. However, I do have a couple of concerns.

The first is a minor quibble but, all the same, I am not very impressed by their leather color selection. The colors they have are rather dull and the number of options is tiny compared to what I’m used to seeing with Vaja.

The other issue that is more troubling comes from my experience with the case I have for my Zune 80. This is a common issue with cases I’ve seen in general but the Zune 80 case has a clear plastic shield to protect the screen. Unfortunately over the course of the past year, the protector has become so scratched that it renders the case difficult to use since it also serves as a stand to watch video. Not to mention it looks horrible.

And this isn’t scratching from harsh objects. It’s just putting it in and out of my pocket. I assure you that my Zune’s screen would not be the least bit scratched from that if I chose not to use the case (which I have done now.)

Product Category: Earphones Manufacturer: Shure

Where to Buy: Amazon [Affiliate]

Price: $97.78

System Requirements: Any MP3 player with a 3.5mm headphone jack

Specifications: Headphones have a frequency range of 25Hz - 18.5kHz with a 26 ohm impedance. They come in black or white and have an 18 inch cable with a 36 inch extension. The headphones pack up easily in a small travel case and come with a deluxe fit kit of 7 different tips to easily fit almost any ear size.

Pros:

• Amazing sound, it blew me away;
• Lots of fit options, ensuring a comfortable, tight seal;
• High quality construction that should stand up to long term use.

Cons:

• Somewhat expensive;
• In-ear design takes getting used to.

Summary: No matter what you use as an MP3 player there is a universal law that applies to your device of choice. The included ear buds suck. Sure, there’s different levels of suck, but in the end they’re all pretty horrible. There was a brief period of time when the Zune came with the premium sound isolating earphones and those were certainly a step up from the usual throwaways you get. Still, to really appreciate your Zune or "other" MP3 player you only have two avenues to really get the most out of your music. Read more...

In this video, I take a look at three Zune HD cases. One from Incipio, The Underground (price unknown right now), and two from DLO: the Jam Jacket Cordsaver ($19.99) and the Action Jacket ($29.99).

Jason Dunn owns and operates Thoughts Media Inc., a company dedicated to creating the best in online communities. He enjoys photography, mobile devices, blogging, digital media content creation/editing, and pretty much all technology. He lives in Calgary, Alberta, Canada with his lovely wife, and his sometimes obedient dog. He wonders if the Zune is ever going to exist outside the USA.

Do you enjoy using new hardware, software and accessories, then sharing your experience with others? Then join us on the Thoughts Media Review Team! We're looking for individuals who find it fun to test new gear and give their honest opinions about the experience. It's a volunteer role with some great perks. Interested? Then click here for more information.

In what is hopefully a sign of more accessory makers signing on, DLO has released two new cases for the forthcoming Zune HD player. The Jam Jacket (above, left) is a silicone case with cutouts for the connector ports and home and sleep buttons, and a reinforced rubber back piece for wrapping a headphone cord when it isn't in use. The Action Jacket, on the other hand, is designed to be used while exercising. It is a padded, neoprene case with an adjustable bicep strap and removable belt clip, depending on your preference. It's got a plastic window for using with the touch screen, which in my expericence has never been the best for capacitive screens. You can pick the Jam Jacket up for $19.99 while the Action Jacket sells for $29.99.

Product Category: Speaker dock

Manufacturer: Kicker

Where to Buy: Zune.net Store or Amazon.com [Affiliate]

Price: $114.99 USD (Zune.net sale price) or $176.99 (Amazon)

System Requirements: Compatible with Zune 30, Zune 4/8/16, Zune 80/120, and technically the Zune HD.

Specifications: Kicker has them all.

Pros:

• Excellent sound - crisp highs, solid bass response;
• Has auxiliary audio input so can act as computer speakers;
• Works with all Zune models, including the Zune HD (the remote doesn't work with it however).

Cons:

• Remote control is a bit strange, and there's no place to store it;
• No battery-powered option, which is important for some people;
• Darth Vader-inspired design may not be for everyone.

Summary: I've had a Kicker ZK-500 for quite a while now, but never quite got around to reviewing it - it's a character flaw of mine that I'll sometimes start working on a review but not finish it - but seeing as Microsoft is selling the Kicker ZK-500 from their online store right now for a mere $114.99 USD, I knew that I had to share my thoughts quickly before the sale ends. This is one great-sounding speaker dock! Read more...

Its time for another Zune accessory sale! There some good deals to be had. Nothing really special in this sale but your options are:

• Zune Premium Headphones: 19.99 (39.99)
• Zune Home AV Pack: 29.99 (59.99)
• Zune Leather Case 4/8GB: 14.99 (29.99)
• Zune Car Pack: 34.99 (69.99)
• Zune Dock Pack: 19.99 (39.99)
• Zune AC Adapter: 14.99 (29.99)
• Zune Cable Pack: 14.99 (29.99)

Anyone not planning to jump on the Zune HD wagon quite yet might want to grab one of these deals!

"Throughout the month of July, the Zune Originals store, an offshoot of Zune.net, is offering many of its Zune accessories at 50% off, and quite a few more at smaller discounts. If you own a Zune, there is no better time to pick up those accessories you’ve been wanting."

This is a pretty good time to buy! The challenge is figuring out what is on sale. If you go to the Zune Originals store then you'll find that the prices have been adjusted on their info page. The only way to know for sure is to compare the prices to those at Zune.net since those have not been adjusted. A quick check revealed that the sync cable and the premium headphones mentioned in the article at htmlcenter are both on sale. Unfortunately it appears that the speakers are not. I'd have loved an iHome for $50! (How about that, iHome? I'll send you a check for $50 and you send me a speaker? Let's make this happen.)

The iZel is a small, portable digital device holder (stand) that allows you to easily watch video content in comfort while on a plane, train etc. All you need is a surface to put the iZel on. In the video I test it out with a variety of devices: Zunes, smartphones, an iPod Touch, etc. When I travel, I like to load up my Zune with a movie or two, but I end up holding it in my hand to watch it - not very ideal. The iZel offers a solution to that problem, although depending on the screen size of your device, and how good your eyesight is, watching a video at tray-table height might be difficult. The iZel is made of very durable materials, so it should last a very long time, making it worth the price tag in my opinion (though not everyone agrees). I'll likely be travelling by plane in September, so I'll get a chance to use it in a real-world situation. In the meantime, I'm going to use it as a holder for my cellphone-du-jour, the Samsung Jack. The iZel can be purchased for $24.95 from Amazon.com. [Affiliate]

"One of our staff visited a Chevy dealership to confirm that the new Camaro’s MP3 connectivity kit worked great with production Zunes. The test was very successful - and this culminates a considerable amount of work with both GM in Detroit and their supplier in Korea to ensure a great user experience."

Brian Seitz tweeted this earlier today and it is really exciting news. I'm pretty surprised actually that any car would come standard with connectivity for the Zune. Let's face it, the iPod is so ubiquitous that it makes sense to have standard support for it. But I won't complain! It seems some 28 GM models will be supporting this which isn't surprising since many GM cars share audio components.

But let's not overlook the best part of this. Its the Camaro. I currently own a red 2002 Camaro and I've always been a big fan of the American muscle car. I'm very seriously considering getting a 2011 Camaro next year and this is just icing on the cake. And hey, if Bumblebee prefers the Zune, everyone should!

Most of us have a media player of one sort or another. Whether it is an iPhone, Archos or Zune, PMPs typically come with stock earbuds. While great for space and portability, they usually lack decent sound reproduction. iHarmonix manufactures several lines of earbuds to improve upon what comes packed in a tiny bag of cellophane. I had the opportunity to put one of their Platinum ev-Series Earphones through its paces and I was fairly pleased with what I heard. Perhaps as an indication of thoughtfulness, the earbuds thankfully do not come in a cut-my-arteries-blister-pack, but one with a cardboard backing which is much easier to open. Inside, the earbuds came with three sets of ear gels in different sizes, a soft velvety pouch to and a slip of paper to serve as instructions. Read more...

"Meet the new ZN9B, the world's first clock radio for Zune. The ZN9B features several innovative solutions, including wake and sleep to your Zune music or digital AM/FM radio, a 7-5-2 feature for separate weekday and weekend alarm times, and an extra large, backlit LCD display with dimmer."

With the rash of Zune rumors hitting this week here's some news that's a little more tangible! I just got my April newsletter and right now Zunet.net is selling the iHome ZN9B Clock Radio and Audio System for 20% off which brings the price down to $79 before shipping. This is a pretty good price for the only radio alarm dock for the Zune. I've wanted this for a while and I may pick it up now.

"The rugged, durable exterior of the zune gear bag is designed to specifically protect your Zune and related accessories in style. The exterior of the gear bag is engineered to stand up to the wear-and-tear of traveling and features a woven, scuff-resistant material that will help keep your investment looking new despite heavy usage. The gear bag features specifically molded space for a Zune, a pair of premium headphones, an AC adapter, and a sync cable. In addition to carrying these essentials, the gear bag features soft, flexible netting to accommodate a wide range of other travel necessities."

Marked down from $29.99 to $4.94, the Zune gear bag is officially the best deal I've seen in a while - it's not meant for the smaller Flash-based Zunes though, it's for the Zune 30, Zune 80, or Zune 120. [Affiliate]