If you're looking for an MP3 player, don't sell the Zune short. If you already have a Zune, you know what I mean. And just as the iPod seems to breed third-party accessories, the Zune has its share. From headphones to skins to stereo systems, you'll find them here.
In case you’ve been living under a rock, you already know that Zuneis Microsoft’s answer to the iPod. By no means is Zune the lesser product; Microsoft’s Zune truly holds its own against its fiercest competitor and offers consumers a vast array of convenient, cool services and accessories. Aside from its media players, the brand now offers software, which includes the Zune Marketplace that enables users to download music, videos, podcasts and channel sections. The Zune companion software, which runs on Windows XP and Vista, also enables users to manage files on their player, rip audio CDs, manage music and purchase songs, music videos and TV shows.
The most current models, such as theZune 120, have come a long way from Microsoft’s humble beginnings. The first model, which was the Zune 30, was released nearly three years ago and lacked many of the device's most enticing features. Microsoft’s most current models now come in two styles, various colors and are capable of playing music, videos and podcasts. The devices can also display images and receive FM radio, as well as share files wirelessly with other Zunes and with Xbox 360 and Windows PCs via USB. Any Zune can also be linked with a PC, allowing it to wirelessly sync with the linked Windows PC. Zunes obviously come jam-packed with loads of cool features, but these devices also have a wide array of very cool accessories. Here’s a look at five great accessories for Zune, in no particular order.
Kicker ZK500 Digital Stereo System
TheKickerZK500 digital stereo system is for those who: a.) love music and b.) love music played loudly. The music on your Zune will never sound the same again after it’s been blasted from the Kicker’s pair of five-inch woofers and silk-dome tweeters, not to mention the six-inch, square-shaped reflex subwoofer on the back specifically designed to pound life into your music.
Aside from its cool, bat-winged look, the ZK500 utilizes cutting-edge technology capable of making Bruce Wayne proud. The system is entirely powered by an internal amplifier with digital signal processing, which will provide the soundboard for all of the user’s future concerts.
TheZK500also comes equipped with a thin, infrared remote, fully featured to fine-tune music and video content by adjusting the system’s bass, treble and aux-in options, as well as navigating the Zune menu. Other more conventional selections, such as fast-forward, play, pause, volume and mute, are also present on the attractive remote.
The rotary knob on the Kicker ZK500’s cradle performs double duty as a volume knob and push-button selection controller for bass, treble, auxiliary-in options or standby mode, which continues to charge the player even when the system is powered down. The Kicker is a cool accessory sure to please anyone who loves music and has a Zune, but consumers should be prepared to pay a pretty penny for all that this digital stereo system has to offer. The Kicker retails for $249.99.
KEITHLEE2/home/servers/www.devhardware.com/www/zdeconfigurator/configs/INFUSIONSOFT_OVERLAY.php/home/servers/www.devhardware.com/www/zdeconfigurator/configs/ OFFLOADING INFUSIONSOFTLOADING INFUSIONSOFT 1debug:overlay status: OFF overlay not displayed overlay cookie defined: TI_CAMPAIGN_1012_D OVERLAY COOKIE set: status off
