The release of Microsoft Zune portable digital media player in Europe will be delayed until late 2007 due to unavailability of a music provider in the European market. This will be a major setback for Microsoft as their competitor in this field apple’s iPod will make it harder for Microsoft to grab a significant market share till then. But Microsoft can not do anything until they get a music provider in the European market as if they sell their product without due license it will be illegal. The music service does not permit purchase of content with the use of British credit card so even do not think to import Zune from the US. The only thing you can do is wait until the launch.
Ipod
TagMicrosoft’s Zune breaks into iPod enthusiasts
It’s heartbreaking for Apple’s iPod and its enthusiasts! A Web-based survey by ABI Research, in October 2006, on 1,725 teenage and adult US residents, likely to buy an MP3 player in the next 12 months, revealed that 58 percent of the total potential customers were possible to pick a Microsoft Zune player over the iPod or another MP3 player. Study also revealed that even the existing iPod owners would be likely to choose Microsoft’s Zune and only 15 percent of current iPod holders would probably stick to their player. The ABI Research report is certainly an alarm for the Apple to tighten its screws. Whereas, for Microsoft the important aspect will be to what extent it would be able to distinguish, in evocative manner, the Zune from rival products. Though, it is only a report of a survey conducted on small number of customers, we cannot disagree with the popularity of the Zune. If the report of the survey even gets, somewhat, closer to the figures depicted, it would certainly be a big jolt for iPod.
iTurbo Portable iPod Charger with a USB charging tip
Now you don’t have to worry at all if you forgot to charge your iPOD but make sure you are carrying along a iTurbo Portable iPod Charger. The charger is very handy due to its small size and is capable of charging your iPOD with video, or nano, the latter of which will work for nine hours off a single charge. The device is equipped with a USB charging tip and a single AA battery which enables you to charge your iPOD with any working wa;; socket or from your car. It is available here.
Creative unveils TravelSound ZEN V with remote control
Creative has announced a shiny black dock for the ZEN V and ZEN V Plus. The Travel Sound ZEN V comes with a little matching remote control to make controls more conveniently handled. It also boasts a rod antenna for FM tuner. The product is powered by an AC adapter or with batteries. The product will be launched in the end of November in Japan with a price tag of $108. This will surely give some fight to iPod and Zune.
ICUITI iWear HMD: Video glasses for iPod
The iPod wearable video glasses form ICUITI iWear can be attached to your video iPod without the requirement of any power pack or external electronic. They get connected to your pod via a cable and have got automatic 2D/3D selector. The glasses provide a twin resolution of 320×240 px and it becomes virtually equal to a 44-inch screen viewed from the distance of 9 feet. The display of the glasses displays 24-bit True color and they weigh only 4 oz. What’s good is that there is no power drawn from the iPod and so its battery life remains the same. ICUITI iWear HMD are selling for $299 at the ICIUTI website.
Can Zune battle the supremacy of iPod…..?
After the unexpected results of the Web-based survey conducted by ABI Research, in October 2006, which revealed that 58 percent of the total potential customers were possible to pick a Microsoft Zune player over the iPod , most of the customers or even media player companies, especially Apple, are getting restless whether the Zune will be able to take apart the unchallenged dominance of iPod over the elongated period. With two giants, Apple and Microsoft, in the fray for supremacy in portable music player market, the comparison between the two turns out to be inevitable. As far as the cost is concerned, the Zune equals the price ($250) as well as the capacity of the 30-gigabyte iPod, whereas, Zune is visibly thicker (0.6 inch vs. 0.4), taller (4.4 inches vs. 4.1) and slightly heavier (5.6 ounces vs. 4.8) as well, from its counterpart. The 3-inch screen of Zune comprise the identical 320-by-240-pixel resolution of iPod, but Zune’s screen is superior (3 inches vs. 2.5 inches), therefore movies and pictures could be viewed more extensive. If we compare battery life of Zune and iPod, there isn’t much difference (14 hours) between the two, with the exception of a little better for video (Zune 4 hours vs. ipod 3.5). If you consider scrolling, the iPod’s wheel is much more efficient, but the Zune includes a built-in FM radio receiver, and even shows the name of the songs. More or less, it is just a superficial comparison on the papers; the actual assessment will only be upheld by the customers or users when the Zune essentially appear in the market for sales. Therefore, it would be better to wait and watch till the concrete warfare between the two monsters of the consumer market begins. One thing that might go in favor of iPod is the bad reputation of Microsoft among electronic consumers. To quote analyst Rob Enderle of Enderle Group in Silicon Valley, Zune is either going to take off like a rocket or it is not going to go anyplace. There is no middle ground. It is different enough that it could surprise Apple.
Dual drops in-car head unit with iPod support
The XDVD8182, an in-car head unit planned overtly with iPod support plus a retractable 7-inch touchscreen, is the latest let go of the Dual. Supporting, more or less, entire tasks of dockable iPods united through a bunched link cable, together with music, photos, and videos, the unit just engages single standard DIN slot but is accomplished to run CDs, DVDs and iPod as well. Including MP3, WMA disc support, 5.1 surround sound speakers, external displays and rear-view cameras for superior cars, the XDVD8182 can, correspondingly, display all important track information. You may own the unit for $699.
A-1250: An iPod Video Headrest for your car from Vizualogic
Everyone wants to see his or her iPod videos on big screen. But this is awesome…! An iPod video headrest for your car…! Such headrests are not new but the feature that differs this from the rest is special cable that takes audio and video from the iPod connector and runs it on a single AUX jack on the headrest. The A-1250 has a FM transmitter to send audio from the headrest to the cars FM Radio. The device is priced at $2,199 but the street price will be around $1,600. That’s expensive I Guess…!
Wireless MP3 Fog-Free Shower Mirror
This deluxe fog-free shaving mirror lets you hear your favorite music during your bathe and shave. It has a powerful FM transmitter capable of projecting a wireless signal from any iPod, MP3 player, CD player or TV within a range of 100 ft. Other than that, it boasts high quality waterproof speakers. A built-in digital clock keeps you on schedule, and LED’s illuminate your face to make sure a clearer view. Enjoy your bath with hot water no matter how hot it is as the mirror is fog free. You can choose to mount it easily on your wall with super suction cups.
VUUM intros VTi-B1 iPod-compatible vacuum tube stereo
VUUM Audio introduces a vacuum tube amplifier stereo system featuring iPod docking station. VUUM VTi-B1 comes in a beautiful cabinet and the kit also includes 27-button remote control, dust brush, glove cleaning kit, RCA cables and a pair of high quality speaker’s cables with banana ends. All these things make it perfectly suitable for your iPod. It provides you with a high sound output with its vacuum tube amplifier (15W x2) with dual inputs. The sound quality is really good as it is amplified including bass output. This multi functional system also ensures charging of your iPod. Now you can use your iPod just as your surround sound system with this device for just $700.