CES Zune speaker / dock roundup

While the Zune didn't make a huge presence at CES, DAP accessory makers were out in full force nonetheless, and ClicZune did a commendable job in scouring the floors for Zune-capable speakers and docking stations. Although Apple's gem definitely has a commanding lead in the iPod speaker system market, devices designed for the Zune are slowly catching up, and CES unveiled a trio of speaker apparatuses for those who prefer Microsoft's PMP. Hitting the low-end is eForCity's INSTEN, which rocks a black or white color scheme (sorry, brown fans), dual two-watt drivers, USB connectivity, and can be powered via four AA cells. Although MSRP on this little guy is closer to $40, smart shoppers can snag it for around $10, so don't expect any audiophile-approved tones to be emitted from this. Next up is the Memorex MzW101, which is a wireless docking base station that beams out the Zune's audio to a variety of WiFi-enabled speakers, including the waterproof MzW210 speaker as well as the forthcoming MzW220 indoor and MzW240 outdoor wireless satellites. Closing it out is JBL's dome-shaped system (pictured after the break), which features a slide-out Zune dock, video out port, USB connectivity, and the ability to get juiced by four AA batteries. Unfortunately, details are scant when it comes to pricing and future release dates, but fret not, as this is likely just the beginning of the onslaught to come.

[Thanks, Mike]
Read - eForCity's INSTEN
Read - Memorex lineup
Read - JBL's dome-shaped system

[Snot @ Jan 15th 2007 8:53AM]

Until RockBox comes up with replacement, non-evil firmware, who is stupid enough to buy a retarded Zune?

[Snot @ Jan 15th 2007 9:06AM]

Until http://www.rockbox.org/ comes up with a Free (as in speech) firmware update that is non-evil and uncripples it, you'd have to be a retard to buy the retarded Zune.

[Rick Lyon @ Jan 15th 2007 9:10AM]

First one looks like a Baby Monitor from First Years or something. What's with the teletubby snowman design? Bad color combos as well.

[Colin @ Jan 15th 2007 10:09AM]

What is with the Zune haters?

It does what every mp3 players out there does plus a little extra...
No it isn't an Apple product...some people like that!
Having MS in the market with the Zune will push other makers forward...perhaps not this iteration but MS claims to be coming on with more Zune branded players in the future and this is good for consumers (that's US!)

Good to see support for the Zune be periferal makers....this will help MS beleive it is worth moving forward and thus make things more exciting for US the end user.

(BTW...I'll never buy a closed system like ipod or zune unless I can get the hardware for the same price as non closed systems...but I'm all for competition in the portable media market to push tech forward...)

[catachip @ Jan 15th 2007 12:32PM]

But actually it doesn't do what every other MP3 player does, nor the iPod in particular. Zune doesn't do audiobooks, podcasts, games, calendars, gapless playback orhave the ability to purchase videos from its store (not to mention the aforementioned books, podcasts), just the name a few. It is also subject to a painful advertising campaign trying too hard to look cool - at least iPod and SanDisk and iRiver have some class.

[mct75 @ Jan 15th 2007 11:15AM]

I would rather chop my member off than buy a zune.

[Mike @ Jan 15th 2007 12:02PM]

Anytime the zune comes up, there are alot of negative comments.. any links to why this is?

[Brian @ Jan 15th 2007 12:11PM]

Mike: fanboys.

I was in the elevator with an Apple soldier the other day and he literally *sputtered* when he saw my Zune. He was like, frothing with nerd rage.

Get a grip, people. It's just a nice-looking MP3 player.

[Brian @ Jan 15th 2007 1:47PM]

I have a wristwatch. I prefer reading books to listening to them. I manage my calendar on my tablet PC.

I have a Zune because I find its art-centric, portait-mode interface to be a more compelling way to interact with my music collection than the interfaces offered by Apple and Creative. I didn't need a convergence device, I just wanted to haul my record collection around, and at that Zune excels.

Plus, I think the entertainment value of the reactions it gets from die-hard gadget nerds makes up for the fact that it doesn't tell time :)

[Gil @ Jan 15th 2007 1:23PM]

Excuse me my simian friend but audiobooks and podcasts are audio files just like any piece of music.

[Maff @ Jan 15th 2007 2:51PM]

the price of the zune/ipod are quite reasonable really, they make millions u see, esp. when theres few 30gb players out there

[BTS.WRKNG @ Jan 15th 2007 3:10PM]

What's with the wacky industrial design on that Memorex bowling pin thingy?

Talk about your pieces of Zune.

[David Y. @ Jan 15th 2007 3:22PM]

zune... lol

[FrankTheCrank @ Jan 15th 2007 3:43PM]

Zune...

HAHAHAHAHAHA....

Stop! too funny...

The Zune is to MP3 players what the 360 is to Videogaming...

A JOKE!!

You like that, two with one stone...

EAT SHIT MICROSOFT!

[Josh @ Jan 15th 2007 6:22PM]

This design would go well next to the new Mad Catz Wii accessories.

[Woody56292 @ Jan 15th 2007 9:56PM]

these zune haters crack me up. if you like ipods, good for you, some of us don't (for various reasons) and some of us prefer the zune for its features. ( it looks good, has fm radio, 3" screen, and great ui. )


so stop hating every time engadget mentions zune.

[Brad @ Jan 16th 2007 4:12AM]

It's amazing to me how many Apple fans hate the Zune. You DO realize the Zune is the reason Apple pushed up the release of the iPhone/widescreen iPod? You realize that the next version of the iPod will likely have wireless music transfer, so as not to appear out of date? You realize Apple might FINALLY get rid of the 1993-style tree interface? You realize that Microsoft offering the Zune cheaper than the iPod pushed the prices down on iPods for the first time since they were launched?

You have everything to gain from the Zune being a success. Pull your heads out of Apple's collective orifices and see a challenged monopoly for what it is: good for the consumer.

The last generation of iPod is no different from the second. When Microsoft does well, Apple users win out with better, cheaper products.

[ChongO @ Jan 16th 2007 5:02PM]

Let me guess FranktheCrank is a ps3 fan boy, In case you haven't seen reviews when sony developed the ps3 they forgot one important feature..........GOOD GRAPHICS!!!

Could that be the main reason it is soooooo plentiful at every store? kills me how you sony fans killed xbox for being so big and bulky and pricey! You all keep your mouth shut now huh? 10 lbs was it? about the only thing i have seen on it that I liked was the slide show, pictures fall onto a table layout...nice...but not worth $600

PS3 hardware is physically incapable of beating xbox look up the type of ram used (whats that bandwidth??). What kind of CPU does it have? oh and did Blu-Ray ever get rid of using old dvd coding tech and come up with something new like toshiba did with HD-DVD? I heard about it and am trying to find more info.