Zune 1st party accessories spotted

If you hadn't already heard, Microsoft's fancy Zune.net site went live today, complete with hip "content," featuring certain "musics." Oh, and of course there's that "welcome to the social" slogan emblazoned all over the place. What's news is that Microsoft is finally showing off its various accessories for the fancy little DAP, including a Zune Home A/V Pack (pictured, for a cool hundie), Zune Car Pack ($80) and Zune Travel Pack ($100, the one we spotted on Amazon a few weeks back). All of this is just like expected, so we won't get into the nitty gritty, but it's nice to finally see 'em all in the flesh. Not too bad in the looks department, Microsoft, not at all.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[Eh @ Nov 2nd 2006 11:02PM]

It should be noted that on the Zune website you can get a "Zune theme" for windows, it includes a new black shell style to change the look of your old XP windows. Its the Windows Media Center style in black. Gives it kind of a Vista feel.

[Ti @ Nov 2nd 2006 11:05PM]

A groundbreaking product? The more I see of this thing the more it screams iPod knockoff. MS clearly realized they missed the boat on the whole iPod phenomenon and is now doing their best impersonation, trying to one-up the 5G in a couple of ways (bigger screen, crippled wireless). Redmond, start your copiers...

[Ti @ Nov 2nd 2006 11:13PM]

To clarify, check out that remote, the simplicity of it (although not as simple as Apple's), the dock, the AV out. It's pretty easy with Microsoft's money to enter into a market and copy all of these advancements it's taken the iPod 5 years to implement and refine. I'm not at all surprised with the amount of polish this thing seems to have as a 1st gen product. If Apple is as shrewd as they appear to be, the 6G is going to crush the Zune on features alone. They've really had no incentive, up to this point, to push the envelope as they've had basically no competition. I can't imagine them pulling a Sony and basically handing MS this market as was done with the Xbox.

[myscrnnm @ Nov 2nd 2006 11:23PM]

"A groundbreaking product? The more I see of this thing the more it screams iPod knockoff. MS clearly realized they missed the boat on the whole iPod phenomenon and is now doing their best impersonation, trying to one-up the 5G in a couple of ways (bigger screen, crippled wireless). Redmond, start your copiers..."

You have got to be kidding me. The Zune is way ahead of the Apple iPod. The Zune is actually based on the Toshiba Gigabeat S, since it is a derivative manufactured by Toshiba. One of my friends uses a Gigabeat, and I'm telling you, it's a lot better than my 40GB iPod. There is complete integration with Windows XP Media Centre Edition, and an excellent UI. The only way my iPod ups his Gigabeat is the superior user interface, which is a whole lot easier to use than the one on his Gigabeat.

Now, in terms of commercial success, I believe that the Zune will still be a flop, no matter how good Microsoft makes the product, and no matter how good these accessories are, which I think are really good, and even made me consider getting a Zune just cuz they look so good. But as we've seen with other people, namely Sony, no matter how good your product is, what you need is marketing these days. Basically, I only know like three people besides me who even know what the Zune is. The Zune will be a failure because nobody will know about it and then five years from now, people will go, "wow, people back then were so stupid", like they do now with the Apple Newton, another product too ahead of its time. Although albeit for slightly different reasons.

[sammy mazola jr� @ Nov 2nd 2006 11:55PM]

1999: "The one thing Apple's providing now is leadership in colors. It won't take long for us to catch up with that, I don't think." -- Bill Gates

2006: Zune. Brown.

[Aaron @ Nov 3rd 2006 12:00AM]

"You have got to be kidding me. The Zune is way ahead of the Apple iPod. The Zune is actually based on the Toshiba Gigabeat S, since it is a derivative manufactured by Toshiba. One of my friends uses a Gigabeat, and I'm telling you, it's a lot better than my 40GB iPod. There is complete integration with Windows XP Media Centre Edition, and an excellent UI. The only way my iPod ups his Gigabeat is the superior user interface, which is a whole lot easier to use than the one on his Gigabeat."

I have a gigabeat S and I MUCH prefer its UI to the one on the ipods (and I tried a 5g 30 gig ipod video)... it looks much better than anything on the ipod (actually using coverart in the album view for instance). I like how it puts the letter of the alphabet when scrolling through a large collection (it really makes it easier to find what you want and its something you have to use to really understand how good it is) though you can get an idea here: http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-3428996358728158914&q=gigabeat

that said i like some things about the zune but I wont be getting one but thats because I need more than 30 gigs in my device but I have no doubt they will expand on the capacities and versions.

I really like some of these accessories and is one of my biggest complaints with the gigabeat.

[Bosco714 @ Nov 3rd 2006 4:16AM]

Aaron,
That search feature is in the new 5.5 G iPods too.

[Gerald @ Nov 3rd 2006 12:03AM]

The iPod is amazing.
I am not some fanboy or anything but seriously, apple products are so darn simple to use and it always manages to have that clean, slick look on its products.
I admire the way how the designers pay so much attention to the exterior looks of it not like other companies that produce mp3s that are better than the ipod but doesnt look nice on the outside.
being a person who examines every minilmeter square on a new gadget i get, the ipod is the only product that I am fully satisfied with.

I sold my 5g ipod already, and am waiting for the nnneewwwww widescreen ipod!
haha.

[Nazir Naik @ Nov 3rd 2006 12:16AM]

Is the sync cable the same cable that the iPod uses? sure looks like it,if thats the case the Zune should work with all these aftermarket and factory radios that have direct digital connections with the iPod, and no I'm not talking about the analog headpone output to the accessory input on the car radio it's the same connection as the sunc cable.

[Drew @ Nov 3rd 2006 12:53AM]

"I am not some fanboy or anything but seriously, apple products are so darn simple to use and it always manages to have that clean, slick look on its products."

roflol........again showing apple to be the fisher price of electronics

[mike @ Nov 3rd 2006 1:52AM]

roflol........again showing apple to be the fisher price of electronics

--

fisher price? look who's talking.. you're stuck with XP.

[Stymie @ Nov 3rd 2006 2:00AM]

I like the Zune. I'm wondering what I can get for my 5G Ipod. I don't like how clunky the Ipod interface is. I guess I'll make a decision after I get a chance to see what the Zune is like first hand.

I think the real key is that, as other have suggested, Microsoft is spurring Apple and forcing them to innovate for the next generation product. I also believe that Apple's recent price drops & higher capacities are a preemptive strike at Microsoft. If Zune can be a successful product, then consumers will benefit whether they choose Zune or an Ipod that Apple is forced to improve. Up till now, Apple has been able to just sit on its ass in terms of features, while charging super-premium prices. Zune isn't even out yet and it's clear that it will influence both pricing and features.

[Fro @ Nov 3rd 2006 2:57AM]

All these comments that Apple's been sitting on their ass? Considering Microsoft has had 0 music player versions in 5 years and the iPod has gone from 5gb to 10 to 20 to 30 to 40 to 60 to 80. From having a B&W screen to having color photos to video player.
How is the Zune really different than an iPod, besides having an mini-Airport card in it? Displaying cover art? iPod had that 2 years ago.
This will all be an academic argument anyhow when the newest iPod comes out in the Spring and makes the Zune look like an old GameBoy.

[Soyale @ Nov 3rd 2006 10:44AM]

Fro said : "All these comments that Apple's been sitting on their ass? Considering Microsoft has had 0 music player versions in 5 years and the iPod has gone from 5gb to 10 to 20 to 30 to 40 to 60 to 80. From having a B&W screen to having color photos to video player.
How is the Zune really different than an iPod, besides having an mini-Airport card in it? Displaying cover art? iPod had that 2 years ago."

Well done iPod. Some facts you missed :

1. Microsoft - primarily a software company - released the Portable Media Center software in September 2004 specifically to enable digital media players
2. Portable Media Center supported album art, color screens, video playback and syncing TV content with a Media Center PC

Implying that the iPod is somehow better because it had "cover art two years ago" seems a little rich given that Microsoft had it as well and also had some innovations Apple have added since.

[Ssco @ Nov 3rd 2006 5:19AM]

"One of my friends uses a Gigabeat, and I'm telling you, it's a lot better than my 40GB iPod. There is complete integration with Windows XP Media Centre Edition, and an excellent UI. The only way my iPod ups his Gigabeat is the superior user interface, which is a whole lot easier to use than the one on his Gigabeat"

Eh?! Which UI's better then?

[Marlow @ Nov 3rd 2006 5:30AM]

TOUCHSCRREN IPOD! (Sorry for the shouting)

It aint gunna happen how you think it will! The problem with either a touchscrren or that touch sensative casing (patent info seen on here a few weeks ago) is that they would interfere with the one thing Apple relies on to 'up the benefits' of owning an iPOD- 3rd Party accessory makers!

Think about it- how would all those fancy leather/ silicoln cases (with screen protectors built in) work with either a touch screen or a touch sensative casing? Even if they made the back of the case leather and the whole front of it (from the back corners and wrapped around the sides and front) silicon it would seriously damage the asthetics (an area which many people consider when buying the ipod and one which is being discussed in this 'thread' so dont flame me saying that this isn't an area of contention!)

2nd: due to the shape of the ipod (lovely rounded corners) for an 'all in one case' with a screen protector built into it to work with a touchscreen/ touch casing, it would literally have to be 'shrink wrapped' around the ipod for it to stay in place! even then the material will have to be so thin that it doesn't interfere with the touch operations/ add bulk but then you have to consider the effects of using 'thin' materials i.e. wear and tear, lifespan of said accessory etc! again this would diminish the asthetics of the player.

For those who are about to say they would not cover it with a case etc... RUBBISH! your brand new elite �250+ widescreen iPOD (the thing apple fanboys have been craving for years) and your not going to protect that easily scratchable metal casing, or that lovely 'come scratch me with your dirty fingers with grit all over them' screen? OK so they could use one of those crystal type screen/ scratch resistant screen but that only solves the problem of the screen.

They could use thoses 'skins' you stick over electronics but they dont cover corners!!! and mixing that with a screen protector would look fugly as fugly can be!

I know this 'rant' is revolving around a case but you can imagine the effects on other accessories:

car dock- gently clamp the sides and base of the ipod. this would ruin touch casing operation

home doc- would cover the lover part of the touch casing rendering it useless.

etc etc..im sure you can think of others which would be affected! which ever system apple has already agreed on, either will have its drawbacks for accessory makers due to customers preference for asthetic design! I personally think they will choose that click design which we saw the patent for a few months ago i.e. each edge of the screen can be pressed downwards to move the menu in different directions etc and then you press the whole screen down to 'select.' BUT then you have the problem of heavy handed people literally crushing the ipod/ wear and tear on the screen!!

Im sure apple found it hard when deciding which to use (god knows they've had there problems recently with quality) and with this being the 'showcase' product of 2007, if they seriously mess this one up, the competitors will be all over them. And now the fan boys are saying 'not a chance' but recommendation from friends/ peers etc can have lasting effects. I and 10 of my friends are yet to upgrade to the new macbook because of all these problems. imagine if they also tell people to hold back on a new purchase because off all these problems etc etc!!! all the R&D apple have spent will keep them 'in the red' for a while in regards to recouping costs for the new ipod!

Another problem is people might just start thinking "hey, whats this zune? I need an ugrade from my iPOD, the new widescreen has quality problems*, but this zune has many of the features/ accessories I only really need as I dont really want to watch movies on such small screens etc."

* theoretical based on apples recently well publicised quality issues!

So ill await all the flames from apple fanboys. BTW im not an apple, M$ or fanboy of any other company.

[GadgetGav @ Nov 3rd 2006 8:13AM]

Hey Marlow, this is a post about Zune, not the typo touch screen ipod.
Did anyone check out the zune.net photo section..? It's labelled 'up close' but the biggest zune in all the pictures occupies less than 1/4 of the frame..! They're so desparate to make the 'social' thing their marketing campaign, they forgot to actually include any product shots. The stills are just like the TV spots - the actual player is almost insignificant.
Either this means they're not that proud of their brown, re-badged Gigabeat, or it means that the portable music player is so synonmymous with iPod that they don't even need to push the product - they're just going to rely on people going into WalMart and asking for 'the Microsoft iPod' which is what I'm sure will happen.

[David @ Nov 3rd 2006 9:47AM]

How anyone can say a new untested product is "better" is kind of brain numbing.
This doesn't play acc. wma is horrific sounding in my opinion and most serious listening tests.
I don't want an wma or wmv player.

[james @ Nov 3rd 2006 9:51AM]

I have a suggestion PUT A F"N LCD SCreen on these remote products for anything that hooks up to your stereo. The screens are so small you cant see what your playing or changing to. You might as well just hit shuffle, the only thing your going to change is the volume....

[Marlow @ Nov 3rd 2006 11:19AM]

@GadgetGav

Calm down! I was broadening the discussion as the 6G ipod had already been touched on by other commentators mentioning "the widescreen ipod" which we believe is going to be touchscreen!

[Chris @ Nov 3rd 2006 12:54PM]

Thats the problem... this first zune beats out the iPod 5.5g.... and the zune 6g has already been confirmed to not have wireless or touchscreen (both were falsely reported rumors)

I've been showing friends zune.net to get their opinion... and quite a few of them are ready to drop money on it... why? its features crush the ipod, and its by a big company, and they are welll.... SICK OF IPOD.... unline the ps2 that had strong brand loyalty the ipod doesnt, the ipod was a fad that was hot that reached critical mass, i know me and my brother want one, my girlfriend and her sister want as well and so do a few of my friends.... and with the subscription service on top of that vs apples model .. i'll stick with MS.

[TLD @ Nov 3rd 2006 1:51PM]

Why is it that a couple of those comments up there look so... fake? Are there actually paid MS commenting trolls around? I mean sometimes I read a comment and it sounds like it was written by a robot/PR department instead of a person. Like "The Zune is looking more and more like the product of the year." and "This is a great assortment of accessories and reasonably priced to boot."

Seriously, MS?

[j3oomerang @ Nov 3rd 2006 3:08PM]

Yeah, this definately isnt being marketed towards the hip hop crowd

[Eh @ Nov 3rd 2006 3:33PM]

People who think the Zune is somehow worse than the iPod really dont know anything about the Zune. The iPod is old and outdated, its been that way for years because Apple has had no reason to stop milking the same old technology. The Zune is seriously so far ahead of the iPod in terms of technology that Apple is going to have to recreate the iPod instead of offering half-assed updates to each generation.

Will Apple do this? I believe so, they have the talent to re-take their position as the best mp3 player. But the current gen iPod SUCKS compared to the Zune, hopefully the next iPod brings a real change. Hopefully the Zune awakens the sleeping giant because Apple has been sucking in the innovation area for a long time now. How fast that happens remains to be seen, I hope the Zune blasts off and gives Apple a reality check and welcomes them to the world of competition.

With OSX, Mac cases, and the iPod not seeing any major changes in years, I think Apple should change their slogan from "Think Different" to "Milk things dry."

[zunemax @ Nov 3rd 2006 6:10PM]

Can't we all just get along? Zune is about sharing, even with iNerds

[diskgrinder @ Nov 3rd 2006 6:54PM]

pooPod

[Mario Tall @ Nov 4th 2006 7:03PM]

The Zune is looking more and more like the product of the year. Microsoft is finally releasing what we have all been waiting for. The Zune is a groundbreaking product, and I will be picking one up for every member of the family come launch day.

[tekdroid @ Nov 11th 2006 5:41AM]

The Zune works on Windows XP and Vista only. It doesn't offer:

1) a Mass Storage mode to upload and download songs with virtually any computer and any OS - let alone without the added burden of putting Zune software on every computer you use it on. So much for the 'social' aspect of it and/or sharing independent content with friends or loading and offloading songs on any damn computer you please without restriction.

2) It doesn't offer playback of xvid or divx-encoded videos. So much for non-Microsoft video formats.

3) It doesn't play FLAC or Ogg Vorbis. So much for superior open, patent-free, royalty-free true indie formats advantageous to artists and the public at large (both techincally and socially).

4) It's wireless 'sharing' is restricted to 3-days or 3 plays. RIAA-approved digital audio players are so open, oui?

Perhaps you can give me some reasons why it's groundbreaking? Perhaps it's when users toss it to the ground?