I came across a great review from the 2old2play.com site, who managed to get some 1 on 1 time with the Zune, but they also managed to do a very extensive review on the Zune. One of the good parts in the review is where they talk about the skin of the Zune. Its not something that has been talked about that much, but this is what 2old2play had to say.
The ‘skin’ of the Zune was a ‘rubberized’ material that had a smooth seductive feel to it. I found myself unable to stop stroking the device, so much that the demo assistant asked me to put it down.
They also go into details on the Zune Marketplace which is another aspect that has not been overly talked about. So make the jump over there to read the full review on the Zune.
2Old2Play.com Zune Review
Another big player manufacture, Altec Lansing, a company known for their high quality audio devices has started making accessories for the Zune which is to be out November 14th. No specs on it as of yet, but you can probably expect it to be very similar price and specs to the iPod version.
So November the 14th comes, you are at the local shop eagerly awaiting to pick up your new Zune, but what is going to be in the
Zune box of yours? Well here is what you can expect to find upon opening the box:
- A USB Synch Cable.
- headphones.
- A soft, micr0-suede-ish pouch.
Charger. The Zune charges via the Synch Cable (To be confirmed)- A Zune in black, white or brown.
Here are some pictures of the pouches to come with the Zune:
Ok guys what you been waiting for. The hard core info!
The multi media play from Microsoft, the Zune will be out on November the 14th and retail for $249 US. There is also info on the Zune Marketplace, which will offer A ZunePass (giving you access to millions of songs) will cost you $14.99 per month. If you want to buy a song individually it’ll cost you 79 Microsoft Points (or 99 cents).
As for the pre-loaded content to come on your shiny new Zune, well here is the list:
Audio Tracks
Music Video
- 30 Seconds to Mars, “The Kill� (Virgin Records)
- BT, “1.618� (DTS Entertainment)
- Chad VanGaalen, “Red Hot Drops� (Sub Pop Records)
- Coldcut featuring Roots Manuva, “True Skool� (Ninja Tune)
- CSS, “Let’s Make Love and Listen to Death From Above� (Sub Pop Records)
- Fruit Bats, “Live: The Wind That Blew My Heart Away� (Sub Pop Records)
- Grandaddy, “Elevate Myself� (V2)
- Hot Chip, “Over and Over� (Astralwerks Records)
- Kraak & Smaak featuring Dez., “Keep Me Home� (Quango Music Group)
- Kinski, “Live: The Snowy Parts of Scandinavia� (Sub Pop Records)
- Paul Oakenfold, “Faster Kill Pussycat (Featuring Brittany Murphy)� (Maverick Records)
- Serena-Maneesh, “Drain Cosmetics� (Playlouderecordings)
Film Shorts
- 5 Boro: “A New York Skateboarding Minute� (Skateboarding)
- Radical Films: “Kranked — Progression� (Mountain Biking)
- TGRTV The North Face (Skiing/Snowboarding)
As you know there is also the also the slury of accessories to acompany your Zune, and here are the confirmed ones so far:
Zune Accessories
- Zune Home A/V Pack. 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. 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 AV Output Cable, Zune Dock, Zune Wireless Remote with Lithium Battery, Zune Sync Cable and Zune AC Adapter for $99.99.
- Zune Travel Pack. 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 Zune Dual Connect Remote, Zune Premium Earphones, Zune Gear Bag, Zune Sync Cable and Zune AC Adapter for $99.99.
- Zune Car Pack. 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 at the same time. When you buy the Zune Car Pack, you’ll get the FM tuner with AutoSeek and the Zune Car Charger for $79.99.
- Zune AV Output Cable. The A/V Output Cable lets you connect your Zune device to a TV and home stereo. Ideal for listening to music and showing pictures and video, the A/V Output Cable is simple to set up and use, and will retail for $19.99.
- Zune AC Adapter. The AC Adapter lets you charge your Zune device without a PC. For convenience, the AC Adapter will charge your Zune device in about three hours and will retail for $29.99.
- Zune Sync Cable. The Sync Cable lets you connect your Zune device to your PC or the Zune AC Adapter (sold separately). It works as a replacement for your original sync cable or as a spare for travel and charging, and will retail for $19.99.
- Zune Car Charger. The Car Charger lets you charge your device in the car while listening to your favorite music and even while using the FM tuner with AutoSeek (sold separately). The Car Charger will retail for $24.99.
- Zune Dock. The Dock elegantly displays your Zune device anywhere in your home or office. Featuring a connector port and an audio/video output, the Dock is ideal for syncing, charging and connecting with home A/V equipment. (A/V connectivity requires the Zune A/V Output Cable, sold separately.) The Dock will retail for $39.99.
- Zune Wireless Remote for Zune Dock. Designed for use with Zune Dock (sold separately), the Wireless Remote lets you control your device from across the room. The Wireless Remote gives you quick access to your current playlist as well as full control over menu navigation and volume. The Wireless Remote will retail for $29.99.
- Zune Dual Connect Remote. The Dual Connect Remote offers convenient playlist control and two headphone jacks with independent amplifiers and volume controls so you can listen with a friend or family member. The Dual Connect Remote will retail for $29.99.
- Zune FM tuner With AutoSeek. The FM tuner with AutoSeek lets you wirelessly listen to music through your car’s stereo through the FM radio. AutoSeek automatically finds the optimal station so it’s easy to set up, and will retail for $69.99.
- Zune Gear Bag. The Gear Bag lets you bring Zune and related accessories with you wherever you go. The Gear Bag comes with a rugged exterior and fitted compartments to protect your device while you travel. The Gear Bag will retail for $29.99.
- Zune Premium Earphones. Designed exclusively for use with Zune, the Premium Earphones produce superior sound and feature a noise-isolating, in-ear design. With a convenient storage case and three earpiece sizes to choose from, you can listen to your music with added comfort and quality. The Premium earphones will retail for $39.99.
Wow did you get all that? Thats a quick round up and we will post more info and go more in depth with a follow up post shortly. Alos an interview is expected from the Bitter Sweet band we talked about earlier.
Check back soon!
Microsoft has started making various accessory product makers official Zune partners, as you can see below that is the little badge that will be placed on the products being developed specifically for the Zune.
And Australian company, VAF has been one of the first company’s to be made an official partner and has already started development on desktop speakers for the Zune. The sleek black speakers known as Octavio are designed to allow music from your Zune to be streamed through the speakers so all in the room can enjoy your rocking out music. The speakers are said to be going on sale in the US late 2006 and will be available at all good retailers. For more information, visit the VAF website and register.
What are the accessories you would love to see for your Zune? Well if you have a good idea on what you want, head on over to ZuneGuy.com (he is guy in charge of Zune accessories) and drop him a line letting him know what you want, or alternatively, post a comment here and I will gather them all up and send it off to the Zune guys on behalf of you all.
Come on what are you waiting for? get your ideas out there!
