Zune Fans Rejoice! Another Zune Gadget Is Coming!

Sometimes it seems that if you're a portable MP3 player, and your name does not include 'iPod" or Apple somehwere in teh name, there's not much hope for a large selection of cool accessories. However, MIcrosoft's Zune is actually starting to build up an accessory following. Kicker announced their Zune boombox earlier this year and now iHome has announced a new Zune clock radio/docking station!

It's not a bad looking unit. Pretty plane Jane on the design-side, but isn't that the Zune way? The Zn9 comes in at a mere $99 and has all the features you'd expect from an alarm clock. :) Here are some details:

"Meet the new ZN9, the world’s first clock radio for Zune. The ZN9 features several innovative solutions, including wake and sleep to your Zune™ music or AM/FM radio presets, a 7-5-2 feature for separate weekday and weekend alarm times, and an extra large, backlit LCD display with dimmer.

• With its Reson8 speaker chambers, you’ll be able to enjoy stereo sound around the clock. The new ZN9… treat yourself and your Zune right.
• Wake or sleep to Zune, AM/FM Radio or buzzer
• High-fidelity stereo drivers in specially designed Reson8® speaker chambers deliver astounding clarity, depth, and power
• Gradual Wake and Gradual Sleep increase/decrease Alarm/Sleep volume so as not to startle the user
• Clean contemporary design complements the look of the Zune
• Dual alarm with AM/FM presets
• 7-5-2 feature for separate weekday and weekend alarm times"

Product Page: iHome
Source: Zunerama

Sync to Ford: "It's Not You, It's Me...."

We knew Ford's contract with Microsoft's Sync wasn't forever exclusive, and it would eventually start integrating into other auto manufacturer's OEM multimedia systems. Well, it's still a little ways off, but it is happening. And I was actually a little surprised to hear who's next in line for the tech: Kia and Hyundai! Now, I'm a bit of a car snob and years ago you'd often hear me claim "You'll never catch me in a Hyundai!", but honestly, that opinion has changed considerably over the last 10 years as Hyundai has continued to really raise the bar (and prices) on their model offering in both looks and quality.  And now, starting as early as November, Hyundai has permission to start offering the Microsoft Auto technology on all new models. Hyundai will use the tech to integrate voice command capability of portable music players and mobile phones. Now true, this doesn't help the aftermarket much, but in a way it does. It forces aftermarket manufacturers to develop new technology that customers demand, which means eventually all cars can have the option of cool tech like that offered on Sync-equipped vehicles.

Source: Huffington Post via Ubergizmo

Game On! Games for your Zune

I'm not sure the Zune will ever take the place of the iPod in the hearts of gadget geeks, but it is definitely growing in popularity. Since Microsoft has their focus set on world domination, they're probably not going to give up on their portable any time soon. And if this video is any indication of their dedication, maybe we'll see the Zune-of-the-future working with the Xbox 360 like how the PSP interacts with the PS3. They guys over at On10 put together the video you see here, showing Microsoft's recent partnership with game developer XNA Game Studios to produce games for the Zune. 

in the forums!

Finally, Someone Else Joined the Social.

One of the things that the iPod has going for it is the amount of aftermarket support among manufacturers of related accessories. After so many generations and millions sold, the number of gadgets you can find for the iPod is absolutely staggering--hell, I’ve even seen a toilet paper dispenser with a built in iPod dock and speakers! This is bad news for competitors struggling to compete with Apple. Even Microsoft, despite its seemingly endless supply of money and marketing muscle, has had a hard time promoting its Zune, partially because Microsoft can't find manufacturers to offer enough cool items that would persuade consumers to take a risk on something other than an iPod.

In the automotive aftermarket, there's been next to no support of the Zune up until this year. The guys at Soundgate are starting to change that. This year they showed the ZRZN4, an interface adaptor for selected 2004-and-up Chryslers; HONZN4 for certain post-2002 Hondas; TOYZN4 for Toyota and Scion products 1995 and newer; and FDZN4 for selected 2005 Ford models. Products in this series enable direct control of a Zune from a factory radio.  I know, it’s only one radio.  But since Soundgate has already decoded the language many newer vehicles speakers and has decoded the language the Zune speaks, I would assume it wouldn’t be too long before we start seeing more Zune related items coming onto the market in the mobile electronics arena.