iHome's ZN9 alarm clock docks your Zune in something resembling style

Hey, props for offering up the "first clock radio for Zune" (it's certainly not the first Zune dock), we're all quite proud, but it looks like iHome sent in the B team for the design here. The ZN9 Dual Alarm Stereo Clock Radio for Zune actually bears a slight resemblance to an Xbox 360, other than the full-featured Zune interoperability, of course. Outside of that there's nothing of note here that your grandma hasn't been rocking bedside since the 80's. The ZN9 should be available now-ish for $100.

[David @ Jun 6th 2008 1:20PM]

*clears throat*

But will it fit my Rio Karma?

[happy_penguin @ Jun 6th 2008 6:04PM]

How about some bad karma shoved up your ass? :P

[David @ Jun 6th 2008 10:13PM]

I will play that shit

[David @ Jun 6th 2008 10:13PM]

I will play that shit

[jonathan @ Jun 6th 2008 1:22PM]

finally! the zune has a clock!

[Adam C @ Jun 6th 2008 1:25PM]

it actually can already have a clock. sort of. check out some of the games/apps on zuneboards.com there are a couple nice clock "games" (more like apps) that can actually do more than just show a clock. still kindof impractical though..

[David MacMillan @ Jun 6th 2008 1:27PM]

"I come bundled with some neat 'apps' myself."

"Oh really? Like what?"

"Well, there's calculator. Calculator. And, uh ... clock?"

"Sounds like hours of fun. Or, at least, minutes."

[Richard Lai @ Jun 6th 2008 1:59PM]

@David MacMillan: you forgot "Reversi".

[ef15e @ Jun 6th 2008 1:38PM]

If a tree falls in the forrest and nobodies there to hear it does it make a sound?

[Steffen Jobbs @ Jun 6th 2008 2:01PM]

If Microsoft makes a Zune and there's nobody willing to buy it, does M$ make any profit?

Ponder that thought for a while and see if it doesn't blow your mind.

[David @ Jun 6th 2008 2:14PM]

If a fat girl falls over in the forest and nobody is around to see it do the trees laugh?

[Timmy @ Jun 6th 2008 2:33PM]

I find it funny that the Apple Ass Clown Army wants more and more people to buy apple products. The cool thing about apple products was that it was only for the select people in the know, incase you didnt realize that when everybody buys something you become just one of the crowd not the cool kid on the block.

Ponder that for a while lemmings.

[Danny @ Jun 6th 2008 3:37PM]

Timmy,
What about those of us that used Macs not because they were cool/exclusive, but because they were more effective work machines? I'm not a big fan of the anti-conformist conformist's (the only people worse than fanboys) baseless ranting that's resulted from their new popularity, but I can't complain about all the extra applications and support that's resulted from it. Just remember that not every apple owner is a kool-aid drinking poser, some just want a computer to do their work on.

[Timmy @ Jun 6th 2008 3:46PM]

Danny, then stand up for those of you who are not in the Ass Clown Army, see you worked your way in to an exclusive subset of Mac Owners, be proud.

[Jubei @ Jun 6th 2008 1:43PM]

I don't agree that iHome sent in the "B" team to design this clock radio for the Zune. When designing accessories for the Zune, its clear and logical that the designer must be true to the Zunes visual cues and consumer perceptions. The perception of a "me too" product is basically that of a lower end class of MP3 players. The accessory matches up perfectly with the Zune.

[nxtiak @ Jun 6th 2008 1:49PM]

Ya, I see nothing wrong with it, hell it looks great.
Wished it was cheaper though, $100 is way too damn much for these damn docks.

[telepheedian @ Jun 6th 2008 6:22PM]

I agree, iPod has more of an edgy, shiny feel, whereas the Zune has more of an understated, upscale feel to it. Both are well-designed, with distinctive styling, something that most other device makers seem to have a hard time with.

[Steffen Jobbs @ Jun 6th 2008 1:58PM]

Holy Zune.... I can't believe iHome made a clock radio for it. That device will definitely be their loss leader. That's OK. They'll make up in sales for the 3G iPhone clock radio. They'll sell those in the millions.

[telepheedian @ Jun 6th 2008 3:02PM]

Because it will cost 2x as much because it has "iPhone" slapped on the front, with a different enclosure and actual dock part. The rest will be pretty much identical.

[Mark Anderson @ Jun 6th 2008 6:36PM]

Think different. Buy an iPod.

Lawl.

[sean @ Jun 6th 2008 2:21PM]

so.....why is it a clock *radio* when the zune already has a radio? Am I missing something?

[Striker @ Jun 6th 2008 2:54PM]

You can only use the radio in the Zune when you have headphones plugged in, as it uses them as an antenna (somehow), so the docks have started coming with radio antennas built in to help work around that.

[jonathan @ Jun 6th 2008 4:03PM]

well an FM radio cost next to nothing, so maybe someone would want to use the radio when the zune isn't docked.

[Zack -Atlanta @ Jun 6th 2008 2:32PM]

So no one thinks it has SLIGHT resemblance in shape (although out of proportion) to another one of microsofts products? *coughxbox360cough*

[Daniel @ Jun 6th 2008 2:36PM]

yes, they even say so in the article.

[Craig @ Jun 6th 2008 2:33PM]

I wish they had one that looked like this for iPods. All the iPod clock radios from iHome look crap. Unfortunately this Zune one actually looks nice, no stupid step design or flashy, glossy plastic.

Release the ZN9 for iPods!!!

[mcdizzle895 @ Jun 6th 2008 2:34PM]

"looks like iHome sent in the B team for the design here"

Yes of course! B-class accessories for a B-Class device.

[Andune @ Jun 6th 2008 2:59PM]

When i first scrolled by i thought it looked like a Xbox 360...

[Andune @ Jun 6th 2008 3:12PM]

And of course not only did someone mention this before me it also says so in the article...
Bad me.

[TGunz @ Jun 6th 2008 3:02PM]

is this mac compatible?

[Abuzar @ Jun 7th 2008 12:08AM]

lol

[SpydrN67 @ Jun 6th 2008 3:02PM]

Im really getting tired of ipod/apple fanboys coming into all the zune articles and bashing on how bad the zune player and microsoft is. There are more WORSE PMP devices than the zune. Archos? Zen? Gigabeat? But no, we all have to discriminate the zune for being the a worthwhile contender to the ipod.

[bolezhinkov @ Jun 6th 2008 3:08PM]

well it stems from the apple vs microsoft battle that has gone on since the beginning of time - when they have competing products of course the proponents for one side will express their dislike of the others.

I don't like it either - but thats how it goes. and the little guy likes to get his two cents in.

[MrWhite @ Jun 6th 2008 3:10PM]

"There are more WORSE PMP devices than the zune. Archos? Zen? Gigabeat?"

Considering the Zune is second to last in market share, well behind Creative, I would say you can't get any worse then the Zune, Sorry.

[Darkest Daze @ Jun 6th 2008 4:24PM]

The reason they come into every Zune article and spout the same "what's a zune?" crap, is because it's the only device that actually threatens to move into some of Apple's territory. You see, Apple fans are very scared of anything that might pose a threat to their product of choice's marketshare. The sad part is that Apple could care less about their customers, as long as they keep dropping hundreds of dollars on the new revision of their product every year.

Loyalty to a brand is pointless...you can like a good product, but don't defend any company, like they're infallible. I personally love my Zune, but if I needed a new MP3 player, and their was something I liked from another company, I wouldn't hesitate to kick MS to the curb.

[sean @ Jun 6th 2008 5:49PM]

@Mr White:

Market share determines quality? Guess that means OSX is a steaming pile.

[FotoGenetix @ Jun 6th 2008 3:08PM]

@David McMillan

dont you work for zune's automotive division?

[FotoGenetix @ Jun 6th 2008 3:12PM]

nevermind confuzzled with someone else

[Mr. B @ Jun 6th 2008 3:16PM]

I'm not sure why the design is getting knocked here, it's not like the apple-compatible iHomes are anything to write home about.

[KEROLiUKAS @ Jun 6th 2008 3:18PM]

Is it just me or it sorta looks like an xbox 360 ?

[Skyler @ Jun 6th 2008 4:44PM]

is it just me or did you NOT READ THE FUCKING ARTICLE?

[KEROLiUKAS @ Jun 6th 2008 4:18PM]

LOL, guilty as charged.

[Gary Combs @ Jun 6th 2008 3:28PM]

Hey, about time. Don't know if I'll get one, but I do want one for my Zune. Design looks ok, and glad to see that a company is putting out a product for something other than ipod. Not knocking Ipods or anything, each his/her own. I'm more than happy with my new 80 gig zune.

[ronzo @ Jun 6th 2008 3:29PM]

Me likey. Me want one.

[JakeB @ Jun 6th 2008 3:32PM]

About effing time, ive been using the iHome for the lame iPod for about 2 years just as an alarm clock. Now who will sell it first?

[Chris Dunning @ Jun 7th 2008 12:13AM]

Why would you use an ipod dock as your alarm clock for two years if you think the ipod is lame? Wouldn't you just buy a regular alarm clock? It would certainly be less expensive. Nobody forced you to buy the iHome for iPod.

[JakeB @ Jun 7th 2008 2:33AM]

because at the time i had an iPod and received it as a Christmas gift. So buying an alarm clock would have been the waste of money.

[Gary Combs @ Jun 6th 2008 3:41PM]

Oh and this will be available in July, for those interested. I looked at the iP14 for iPhone, and THAT is cool. They should make that for the Zune too.

[sinai @ Jun 6th 2008 4:31PM]

ok, we already got steffen jobs and jubei giving thier $0.02 no one cares about. isn't it about time flashpoint chimed in with his too?

[Lia @ Jun 6th 2008 5:17PM]

I've been waiting for this thing to be released for months. First they said "March", then they said "soon", then "June". Now July. Just hurry up and release it already, would you, iHome?