Amazon unveils Zune accessory gallery

While Amazon has done a commendable job in (presumably) dispelling the hot air of a Griffin spokesperson, it's not always, um, entirely reliable. However, we'd bet the gallery of Zune accessories gracing its pages now weren't uploaded erroneously. Boasting everything from the premium earphones, travel pack, FM transmitter, and dock to the sync cable, wireless remote, A / V cable, and car charger that we've known were on the way, we're just glad we can finally match a face with a name. Although none of the Microsoft-branded accessories are priced or available for pre-order, the Zunes themselves certainly are (in all three colors, no less) for those who aren't feeling lucky. Say, doesn't that dock connector look awfully familiar?

[Thanks, Darryl]

[RogueAce @ Sep 28th 2006 10:56PM]

Speaking of Zune, odes nayone think it will work with Mac? I mean, if they want to compete with iPod, they should let their competion be able to use it too.

[Rick @ Sep 28th 2006 11:20PM]

No Mac compatibility at launch.
As a Mac user... I could careless.

I think the Zune PR department has whored their player to every gadget/electronics blog they could find.

[AUA @ Sep 28th 2006 10:59PM]

Seriously, guys, are you getting paid to promote Zune this much? It's a hard-drive based music player. It's already obsolete.

[RogueAce @ Sep 28th 2006 11:55PM]

Yeah, I know what you mean, it seems like overnight the Zune became the talk of every tech blog, gadget site and electronics feeds.

[Moe @ Sep 28th 2006 11:58PM]

Ha. People complain about the Zune getting to much cover just cuz it's a M$ product. No one complains when the next Apple event roles around and the entire first page of Engadget is nothing but iPod.

But anyways, I'll be waiting at least untill the next gen iPods before I decide if I am going Zune or staying iPod.

[zoara @ Sep 29th 2006 5:08AM]

Rick; OK, call me a grammar Nazi, but you "could careless"? I think you mean "couldn't care less". I know this is 'only' a blog, but I wish people would put more effort into writing intelligibly in Engadget's comments.

[Anuj Sahni @ Sep 28th 2006 11:56PM]

nice..

[tank @ Sep 29th 2006 12:59AM]

"No one complains when the next Apple event roles around and the entire first page of Engadget is nothing but iPod"

Yes they do.

[z @ Sep 29th 2006 1:19AM]

Moe... Why is it that you are so many posting a comment that says 'iPod vs Zune'? There are many products out there that outperforms both. If you are willing to take the chance of using something else, you've got pretty more than decent alternative that look better, there are some with huge screens, WIFI, bluetooth, integrated speakers, ... So why make it like there are only two? You make it look like you're one of these PRs that posts on newsgroups and blogs (you know the viral thing) to make the audience believe the new kid on the block IS the real and only challenger? Could you develop? Thanks.

[Rick @ Sep 29th 2006 1:33AM]

Wrong.

I'll start complaining when all the gadget blogs start covering the release of every single accessory for the iPod.

I don't mind reading iPod news, hell, I don't mind reading Zune news, but this, is Zune accessory news, and news to the tune of carrying cases at that.

[mark @ Sep 29th 2006 12:19AM]

I talked to my Microsoft rep today at work (Best Buy) and he says he knows for a fact Bose is making a 'hi-filike' system for the Zune and theyre working on more stuff like that with other companies. he also said something weird... 'some PlaysForSure content will work and some wont...' whatever that means.

[drakje1 @ Sep 29th 2006 12:41AM]

It comes in sh*t brown! Who ever chooses this over an iPod is a moron who deserves Zune.

[Justin @ Sep 29th 2006 12:43AM]

I will admit that the brown colored Zune is a horrible horrible thing.

That said, I'm pretty sure that the hype over Zune isn't any more than iPod has gotten. Moe wrapped that up pretty nicely.

I think alot of th die hard Mac crowd are going to be ticked off at MS for getting into the mp3 player game. They should be.. now the iPods will perhaps have a run for their money. We'll see.

Nobody would have thought that the X-Box would be as big a name as it is now when they idea first started getting tossed around.

[Padriac @ Sep 29th 2006 12:44AM]

You got information from a Best Buy rep? You might as well have asked the random bum panandling outside... he'd probably be at least as knowledgable, if not more.

[teodoro @ Sep 29th 2006 9:52AM]

Read what he said. He works for Best Buy and he talked to the Microsoft employee who sells to Best Buy. Some people just can't read.

[mark @ Sep 30th 2006 1:02AM]

"You got information from a Best Buy rep? You might as well have asked the random bum panandling outside... he'd probably be at least as knowledgable, if not more."

Dont be an asshole. i didnt say what he said was true, but it also isnt that farfetched considering he JUST came from a meeting regarding the Zune. im assuming that bum wasnt there... i realize that reps are stupid -- i deal with them all the time. but this guy normally has some decent info to pass along to us, so i thought id be nice and pass it along to you. if i had known elitist tech geeks were gonna shoot down every comment i make...

[Justin @ Sep 29th 2006 12:57AM]

"random bum" I love it! Owning a computer biz, I love when ppl tell me that, "...well the guy at Best Buy told me..." Do these ppl not understand that there is no tech test you have to take to work their, it could be just some 16 y/o first job. Albeit, they are ppl there that know what they are talking about, but it seems like everytime I go in there I have to either re-explain something an employee said or just help some poor customer myself.

[z @ Sep 29th 2006 1:14AM]

Wow. This is what I was wainting for all along, THIS IS the iPod protective case killer! I'm getting one of these as soon as its out! I mean this is some incredibly fantastic black protective case! ;-)

[zoara @ Sep 29th 2006 5:14AM]

z, the words you are looking for are:

"shill" - someone who is paid by a company to pretend to be a great fan of their product and promote it as though they are a 'satisfied user'.

"astroturfing" or "astroturf campaign" - a fake grass-roots campaign, where a company tries to create the idea that the people at large are turning against a competitor's product.

[keith waddington @ Sep 29th 2006 1:30AM]

Isn't it a bit creepy that Amazon has so many pages of products that don't actually exist yet and cannot be pre-ordered?

Maybe it's time to ponder the history of thugish monopolistic tactics that put windows, internet explorer etc on 95% of the worlds computers.

Just something to consider.

waddo
http://www.waddo.net/

[Nexus @ Sep 29th 2006 4:14AM]

Ranting about every day corporate business practices?

I think it�s ironic that Microsoft, the ultimate success story of American capitalism should get so much hatred from the very society that spawned it.

[Steve Jobs SUCKS ASS! @ Sep 29th 2006 2:02AM]

"Yes they do."

No, they really don't.

[Dave Johnson @ Sep 29th 2006 3:23AM]

I think the problem is 95% of the computer world thinks Zune is a newsworthy item. I'd offer all sorts of proof but I'll keep it brief and just cite this one: http://www.cnet.com/4520-4_1-6541088-1.html

I have problems with it, myself, for the same reasons I have problems with iPods and iTunes ... the hardware locks me into a specific storefront. Yes, yes, I understand I can get music on the thing from other sources ... and it still is a vertical market ploy. No thanks.

[keith waddington @ Sep 29th 2006 6:06AM]

lol

yes I see non-existant products every day at amazon.

And of course Zimbabwean society "spawned" Mugabe, and every one loves him. So your logic is sound. Oh, And American society "spawned" Bush and we all no he's universally respected.

Oh, and don't forget Union Carbide. Very successful in its day. No criticism from me.

Need I go on? Thought not.

waddo
http://www.waddo.net/

[Docii Design @ Sep 29th 2006 4:22AM]

Ohh Zune accessories... tell me more :)

[Nexus @ Sep 29th 2006 7:07AM]

I wasn�t saying that it was ideal, just that it was ironic. Having said that I can�t really agree with you comparing Microsoft [Bill Gates] with a megalomaniac like Robert Mugabe or George W. Bush Jr. Bill Gates doesn�t destroy countries, although you�d be forgiven for thinking so after reading a lot of forum posts around the internet.

Peace :)

[stan_neyman @ Sep 29th 2006 10:08AM]

ok. what pisses me off is that Gigabeat S was released like a YEAR AGO, and we still do not have even a normal skin for it, let alone a dock. WTF?!!!!!!! Toshiba really let everyone down. Oh and did I mention Microfreakingsoft is supposed to do the the firmware updates. Guess how many we have seen so far. NONE! F****G A*******S

[Jesse @ Sep 29th 2006 7:44AM]

I'm an S owner too - any thoughts on if these accessories will fit the Gigabeat?

[mcepat @ Sep 29th 2006 11:15PM]

@stan_neyman

Totally agree with you, I have the 30GB S and the thing rocks, even one ups the ipod and the zune with ability to carry around recorded tv, with the video out cables and the enhancement to the look and feel it pretty much like taking my media center I have in my living room with me where ever I go.

I ended up finding a skin for it, but I want more accessories!

Here is the link for a nice silicon case

http://www.misticaudio.net/

[William @ Sep 30th 2006 7:30AM]

the cover for it is EXACTLY the same as my old Sony NW-HD5. identitical!! its as if they asked the company who made it in china to make some for the zune!!

[Flalex @ Nov 7th 2006 4:38PM]

Those headphones look way better than the ipod's. They just look like good sound quality. And they have their own case.