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All posts tagged "car"


Monday, June 18, 2007

Lilsalmon Gives 2007 Dodge Nitro a Custom Zune Treatment

Posted by David Tucker in "Zune Talk" @ 08:22 PM

Jeff Gordon has nothing on Zune Thoughts member lilsalmon. While Jeff has a Zune dock integrated into his dash, lilsalmon has a setup that looks like it came straight out of the factory. You can only dream of having a setup like he installed in his 2007 Dodge Nitro. I’ll let his YouTube video speak for itself.

ZuneRama has a couple other pictures on their site as well. One thing that I wouldn’t mind seeing is some instructions on how we can do it ourselves.

Tags: car, custom, nitro

Jeff Gordon Zune!

Posted by David Tucker in "Zune Talk" @ 07:56 PM

If you caught the May 16 "Unique Whips" show on the Speed Channel, you saw the Unique Autosports crew convert one of Jeff's race cars into a street-ready hot rod. And, lo and behold, surrounded by some brain-shaking stereo speakers, is Jeff's Zune, in what appears to be a custom-made dock.


Zunerama made a great find last week. How cool is this? I don’t mean Jeff Gordon using a Zune. Look at that setup! That’s a nice custom dock he has in there. I think all cars should come with that as a standard option. Pick your favorite digital media player and get a dock when you buy the car! Ok, maybe the whole Jeff Gordon thing is pretty cool too. I think this is the first real celebrity sighting of the Zune in the wild. Clearly NASCAR drivers are forward thinkers! I wonder what he has on there.

Any guesses?


Friday, June 8, 2007

Zune Invades Forza Motorsport 2

Posted by Darius Wey in "Zune Talk" @ 05:30 AM

http://i186.photobucket.com/albums/x28/lunaclown/zunecar.jpg



These days, everyone is talking about Forza Motorsport 2. If it's not about the action on the tracks, it's about custom paint jobs. Check out the Zune-tagged Evolution VIII above, and a few more over at the Forza forums. If any of you ever get around to creating a Zune Thoughts one, let us know and we'll give it some front-page love.


Tuesday, May 29, 2007

Microsoft Creating iPAQ...er Zune Car Dock?

Posted by Aaron Roma in "Zune Talk" @ 08:30 PM

http://crunchgear.com/2007/05/24/car-zune/

"The newly minted patent covers a portable audio device that can be docked and/or integrated into a car stereo. The union would allow the devices to transfer media and data back-and-forth. The guts of the patent boil down to this key point: A car stereo including a docking station into which an off-the-shelf handheld computer can be docked..."

Crunchgear has been reporting on some Microsoft patent documents referencing a car stereo with portable device docking functionality. While the above sketch up shows a device much more resembling an iPAQ than a Zune, could these documents hint at some future functionality coming down the road for Zune?

Tags: car, dock, stereo

Thursday, April 26, 2007

Harmon/Kardon Drive + Play 2 Zune Compatible

Posted by Aaron Roma in "Zune Accessories" @ 05:50 AM

http://www.ubergizmo.com/15/archives/2007/04/harman_kardon_drive_play_2.html

"Most cars these days come with an audio system that offers connectivity with your portable audio player, but the Harman Kardon Drive + Play 2 offers something different as it features an iPod-and-Zune compatible connection hub, a 3.5" color display, a wireless control knob for volume adjustments, music selection, and iPod menu controls that are mounted wherever convenient."

The Drive + Play 2 system from Harman/Kardon is total car solution for your DAP, including power, connectivity (direct or FM transmitter), and remote control, and display screen. Although the system claims to be compatible with most DAPs, including Zune, I a little leery of how well this product integrates with non-Apple players. Looking over the product information a little, the system has very nice integration with an iPod, but I wonder if this product would be more than just a glorified FM transmitter for Zune. Anyone have any experience with the Drive + Play 2 system?

Tags: car, remote

Wednesday, April 11, 2007

DIY Solution for a Zune Car Dock

Posted by Aaron Roma in "Zune Talk" @ 05:23 AM

http://www.zunerama.com/articles_013.php#070402_zune2_story

"Many of us are waiting impatiently for the first Zune car docks to become available. (I'm talking true car docks - that accept the Zune's bottom connector port, and link it to the car's power system and stereo.) Not to be deterred, Zunerama member ryango119 has created his own Zune car cradle - using a Zune A/V dock and a generic car dock."

If you are tired of waiting for a car dock solution for your Zune, then check out this do-it-yourself solution from MacGyver Jr, AKA ryango119 over on Zunerama. Using a Zune A/V dock, a generic car mount, and a little epoxy, you too can be cruising with your Zune safe and secure.

Tags: car, dock

Thursday, February 22, 2007

DLO Expands Zune Offerings

Posted by Aaron Roma in "Zune Accessories" @ 11:30 AM

http://www.cliczune.com/2007/02/new_zune_access.html

"We already like DLO’s Zune cases but we might simply love their new Zune charger and FM transmitter. The company is expanding their Zune accessory line with a car charger and a Zune FM transmitter."

DLO has added a FM transmitter and a car charger to their line of Zune compatible accessories. The FM transmitter is a tethered solution, unlike the Zune branded transmitter (which attaches directly to the Zune). One nice feature of this tethered solution is the cable is actually removable and can be used as a charge and sync cable. Check out the above link to get a rundown of these new accessories from Cliczune.


Monday, January 8, 2007

Ford Teams Up with Microsoft to Deliver In-Car Digital System

Posted by Darius Wey in "Zune Accessories" @ 01:30 AM

http://media.ford.com/newsroom/release_display.cfm?release=25168

"Ford Motor Company today announced the launch of a new factory-installed, in-car communications and entertainment system that is designed to change the way consumers use digital media portable music players and mobile phones in their vehicles. The Ford-exclusive technology based on Microsoft Auto software, called Sync, provides consumers the convenience and flexibility to bring into their vehicle nearly any mobile phone or digital media player and operate it using voice commands or the vehicle’s steering wheel or radio controls. Ford owners will not need to worry about whether their car or truck is compatible with the latest phone or music player that hits the market. Sync seamlessly integrates the vehicle with the popular portable electronic devices of today and is upgradeable to support the devices and services of tomorrow."



After watching Bill Gates' CES keynote, we were a little overwhelmed by Microsoft and Ford's plans to deliver an in-car digital solution (dubbed, Ford Sync) for Zune, iPod, and mobile phones. USB 2.0, Bluetooth, voice recognition, text-to-speech, ringtone support, you name it - they didn't hesitate to highlight all of Sync's great features, but amusingly, there was no mention of how the cars it's implemented in perform (with that much digital bling, did they forget the motor?). I guess they left that for the auto show in Detroit. ;)


Friday, November 3, 2006

Belkin Goes Crazy Over Zune

Posted by Darius Wey in "Zune Accessories" @ 01:30 PM

http://www.gizmodo.com/gadgets/portable-media/exclusive-zune-accessory-line-from-belkin-212210.php

A great case and car kit: those are two accessories I'm on the lookout for, and the ones that Belkin is preparing for Zune launch day seem like a good fit. A couple are featured below, but if you want to see them all, check out the Gizmodo news post.



TuneBase FM ($79): a car kit with an FM transmitter, programmable memory, and LCD display that plugs into a vehicle's cigarette lighter port (and judging by that green light, we're assuming it makes juice). Also included is a line-out port, if your stereo happens to feature a line-in port.



Folio Kickstand Case ($29): Soft, leathery goodness with a kickstand to enhance that portable video experience.

Other accessories: TunePower ($59), Acrylic Case ($29), Holster Case ($29), Neoprene Sports Armband Case ($29), Sports Jacket Case with Armband ($19), and Zune Screen Protector ($14). If Belkin's Pocket PC screen protectors are any indication, we suggest you stay right away from its Zune screen protector (unless you like a bit of goo).


Thursday, September 14, 2006

Accessorizing the Zune

Posted by Darius Wey in "Zune Accessories" @ 10:51 AM

So, a fresh new player means no accessories, right? Wrong. Microsoft cracked the whip and burned the midnight oil to give us three accessory packs to enhance our Zune experience.




Zune Car Pack
"Designed exclusively for use with Zune, the Car Pack includes everything you need to hit the road with your Zune device. With AutoSeek, setup is easy, and you can enjoy your music on the go and charge your device at the same time. When you buy the Zune Car Pack, you’ll get the FM tuner with Autoseek and the Car Charger. All items in the full line of Zune accessories are also available individually."

• Zune FM tuner with AutoSeek
• Zune Car Charger

Zune Home A/V Pack
"Designed exclusively for use with Zune, the Home A/V Pack includes everything you need to amplify your Zune experience. This set of five products integrates Zune with your big-screen TV and the best speakers in your house. And the wireless remote puts you in control from virtually anywhere in the room. When you buy the Zune Home AV Pack, you’ll get the AC Adapter, AV Output Cable, Dock, Sync Cable and Wireless Remote. All items in the full line of Zune accessories are also available individually."

• Zune AC Adapter
• Zune A/V Output Cable
• Zune Dock
• Zune Sync Cable
• Zune Wireless Remote with Lithium Battery (CR2032)

Zune Travel Pack
"Designed exclusively for use with Zune, the Travel Pack includes everything you need to travel with your Zune device in style. This set of five products is designed to keep you and your friends and family entertained while you travel. When you buy the Zune Travel Pack, you’ll get the Dual Connect Remote, Premium Earphones, Gear Bag, Sync Cable and AC Adapter. All items in the full line of Zune accessories are also available individually."

• Zune Gear Bag
• Zune Premium Earphones with storage case
• Zune Dual Connect Remote
• Zune Sync Cable
• Zune AC Adapter

But Wait, There's More!
Yes, Microsoft is playing this one smart. They've signed deals with many leading accessory manufacturers, so there will be plenty of third-party options for the budget-conscious to the geeks wanting more. On the list, Altec Lansing, Belkin Corp., Digital Lifestyle Outfitters (DLO), Dual Electronics, Griffin Technology, Harman Kardon and JBL, Integrated Mobile Electronics, Jamo International, Klipsch Audio Technologies, Logitech, Monster Cable Products Inc., Speck, Targus Group International Inc. and VAF Research.


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