Altec Lansing's M602: "made for iPod" and, uh, Zune

While iPod speaker docks are a dime a dozen, third-party Zune docks are still mysterious little vixens with only the HiFi-esque Octavio as yet semi-revealed. Now this from Altec Lansing which is touted as one of them "designed for Zune" accessories, but looks exactly like their "Made for iPod" M602 only in a color scheme designed to swaddle the Zune in earthiness. Well, at least now we know what they meant by a "universal MP3 cradle." So go ahead, ogle this one for a bit, no need to feel ashamed... or jaded. Still, smart move on Altec Lansing's part dontchathink?

[Via Zune Insider, Thanks lt.milo]

[strider_mt2k @ Oct 12th 2006 8:53AM]

I'd rather be eaten by oil
and won't spend one Quatloon
on something as silly and limited
as an iPod or a Zune

[disciple83 @ Oct 12th 2006 9:05AM]

that's good, because no one would sell you one for Quantloons, they'd want hard currency.

[Tim @ Oct 12th 2006 9:09AM]

Does anyone else think that these "speaker docks" for mp3 players of any kind, are universally ugly and almost always have poor audio quality. Seriously, who buys these things and for what purpose? Are there any good ones?

[Lita @ Oct 12th 2006 1:29PM]

I use a portable speaker dock. Sure it's not the best sound quality, but they're convenient for being able to listen to music without headphones when your on the go. I do freelance dance instruction and it's very convenient to be able to have a backup set of speakers available, as you never know what kind of speaker setup the facility is going to provide. Also, if I want to hear my chillout music in the hot tub without having to worry about my headphones dragging my ipod into the water with me...done.

[QUOW @ Oct 12th 2006 9:12AM]

While I hate the concept of 'Speaker docks", I appreciate the fact that there is one for the Zune. The Zune definitely won't overtake the iPod (though I believe that it should), but having some accessories for it shows that it'll be around for a while.

Competition is good for the consumer. Even Apple zealots should realize this, and cheer the Zune on. While they won't buy it, it should make prices go down and quality go up for their beloved iPod.

[egloskerry @ Oct 12th 2006 9:15AM]

The M602 is, in my opinion, the best-sounding speakerdock, second only to the wonderful altec lansing IM7 which was stupidly discontinued. And it's only 200$. How can you beat it?

[KYDS3K @ Oct 12th 2006 9:33AM]

with a baseball bat!!! =)

seriously, i just plug my mp3 player into my stereo with a $3 cord from Radio Shack. the only mp3 player docks that i see being useful are the ones that are portable . . .

[Craig @ Oct 12th 2006 9:43AM]

what purpose? well I recently moved into university halls and treated myself to the Altec Lansing iM7. I tried out the official hifi in store, but preferred the iM7 for it's integral dock - less likely to have things drunkenly broken. It cost me �170 which is around $300 (Things always cost more over here). For that I now have a very powerful speakers that I use for my dvd player, laptop, tv reciever and, of course, my iPod. Not only that, I can run the thing on batteries - perfect for cooking/ironing/partying in the kitchen. Of course this solution isn't ideal for everyone - namely people who still use cds - but for me the iM7 is my most worthwhile purchase since my iPod.

[Jason @ Oct 12th 2006 10:10AM]

I dunno.. I think the Zune has the potential to take over and dominate the iPod *IF* they can come out with some truly decent features before Apple does. I know the Zune supports Wifi, tho in some spectacularly awful ways, but it's a step in the right direction. If Apple can develop a truly Wifi iPod before Microsoft can, then I think MS is sunk. However, the Zune may support firmware upgrades that enable these types of features and that's what MS is banking on. If so, then look out because Apple is in for one hell of a ride.

And no, I'm not an MS advocate. I'm more pro-Apple if anything.

[z @ Oct 12th 2006 10:51AM]

This Zune thing about things for the Zune before it's even out is starting to get really boring. Let's rather see in a few weeks what the thing does in the real real world (yes real real one, not the beta-testers one), and see if it gets past this 50'000 sales limit (MS will probably buy them itself if it doesn't..) ;-) .

[z @ Oct 12th 2006 10:53AM]

By the way, saw on zuneinsider.com (in one of the comments of one of the last messages), that there was a hack for the zune's quartz in order to make the three days last forever. Does anyone know about it?

[Dan @ Oct 12th 2006 11:19AM]

Shouldn't these speakers come in Brown? According to Microsoft, Brown is the new hotness. White and Black are becoming passe.

[Molly C @ Oct 12th 2006 2:26PM]

This is a good development. Accessory makers shouldn't limit themselves to one particular brand. This promotes a healthy competitive market. iPod will still be the leader for the foreseeable future, but the other players shouldn't be shut out by accessories only being available for the iPod. And the accessory makers will make more money by broadening their support too.

[Woody56292 @ Oct 12th 2006 8:20PM]

wow... I should of known nobody would make docks for only Zune. Still is a sweet looking dock though. ( and for some reason looks better than the all white one. )

[DM @ Oct 13th 2006 3:59AM]

creative zen vision m > zune and ipod. sorry.

[Richard @ Nov 9th 2006 10:25PM]

This unit is not comparable to any Apple speaker dock on the market, its' a quality leather bound room shaker! From my understanding the VAF Research company weren't interested in this market until someone was serious about quality. After all they are renowned for making the best speakers in the world! Check out their website at www.vaf.com.au

[Richard @ Nov 9th 2006 10:28PM]

My previous comment related to the Octavio unit...not the Altec Lansing which is a toy in comparison!!

[Raedah @ Nov 25th 2007 7:19PM]

Let me make a correction, the M604 will work with the Zune, The M602 will only work with the iPod. off course the M602 will work with Zune using the auxilary input which means that you can't use the remote to forward or rewind or use it to watch any video to your HD TV using the USB. I learned that after I bought the Zune and the M602... :(