Remember when a BlackBerry was simply a “pager?” Those days have been long gone for some time, yet I still know many people who don’t embrace their BlackBerry’s full potential.  Even though many folks at Gear Diary, myself included, often carry a few different devices, I can assure you that you can use your BlackBerry as your primary MP3 player.

Today’s BlackBerry devices sport excellent features — and I’m gonna go there — sound just as good as an iPod or iPhone (sans dropped calls, of course ).  While the stock music player does a great job, today we’re going to look at a few other options for media players for your BlackBerry — and battle it out to find the best of the best player for your own ‘Berry.

Let the smackdown begin…

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Collections of music or movies called ‘box sets’ have been popular for quite some time – I remember buying a 3-record collection of Richard Wagner’s Orchestral music in a nice box with a huge book of information 30 years ago! Over the last decade, though, Box Sets have become a major industry, especially around the Christmas holiday season. Now Columbia has opened up the vaults to unleash a massive collection that one has to see to believe! Continue Reading

Did you miss your chance to pre-order a Zune HD. The device was released just this past Tuesday and already Amazon is showing up to a two month wait for 16 GB model while the more expensive 32 GB is expected in up to 2 weeks’ time. Sure the Amazon store is notoriously conservative when they estimate shipping days (my Kindle arrived even though the status read out of stock the entire time it was order). But just maybe Microsoft has a hit on their hands. The highlights of this device for me have been the availability of Zune Pass which allows for downloading and playing unlimited songs so long as you pony up the monthly $15 fee (good for three devices), a snappy user interface and significantly improved Microsoft browser.

Zune HD

Looking to listen to your music while going for a swim? Until now your choices would be hindered by the need for cords and in-ear devices. Now FINIS brings their patented bone conduction technology to create a 1GB MP3 player that is suitable for in-water use! Bone conduction is “the direct transfer of sound vibrations from the cheek bone to the inner ear”. Be sure to check out Dan’s review from last month.

“Current waterproof MP3 players are quite awkward for training in the water as athletes are hindered by straps, cords and earphones. We created the SwiMP3.1G specifically for swimmers so they could continually swim without having this cumbersome feeling of too many cords and poor sound quality. Our SwiMP3 features a water proof design with 1GB of storage for maximizing and motivating your swim workout with your favorite music” says John Mix, President of FINIS.

* Features & Benefits***
Small Slender Design
Easily clips on to goggle for a non-cumbersome fit that you can hardly feel
Patented Bone Conduction Technology
Transfers crystal-clear sound through the water
Integrated MP3 Panel
Incorporates on/off, volume, next/previous track, pause and shuffle
functions
1GB of Storage
Load MP3 or WMA files for a waterproof music library
Rechargeable Lithium-Ion Battery
Provides 10+ hours of use through USB charge
Compatible with Windows or MAC MP3 or WMA files

Source: Finis

I like the stuff that comes our of Wired.com’s Gadget Labs but this is just weird.

They have posted an inane video comparing the new Zune HD to the… iPod nano??? Let’s see, touch screen, app-running, WiFi enabled Zune up against… scroll wheel iPod with a camera?

Seriously, this is one I don’t get.

But I am looking forward to their next video. In that one they’ll compare the iPhone 3GS to… The Moto RAZR!!!

Everyone in techno-gear-land is frothing over the 1PM EST Apple ‘Rock & Roll’ event today. But 9/9/09 is also home to another huge Apple-related event – the Apple Corps Inc. release of the Beatles Rock Band and the entire remastered Beatles CD catalog in mono and stereo formats in special collector’s packages. Continue Reading

If you’re not averse to a pink colored MP3 player then this 4GB Zune with free Microsoft Zune Car Pack & Premium Headphones is a hot deal. The player includes an FM receiver and you can subscribe to Microsoft’s Zune Pass to listen to songs without needing to purchase them. We may see Zune player pricing fall further in advance of the September 15 release of the Zune HD which has been rumored to replace all prior regular Zune models.

Zune 4GB via GearSponsor LogicBuy

Dell Small Business has become a pretty good source for discounted electronic gadgetry. This 120 GB Gears of War 2 themed Zune Player is $50 off plus you can snare another 10% with coupon code WKF35JP9FR9BLQ (expires 8/20/09). This special Edition Gears of War 2 Zune video MP3 player features a Crimson Omen etching and is loaded with a special Gears of War 2 media collection (244 pieces of “Gears of War” media including the original game soundtrack, behind-the-scenes videos, game trailers and concept art galleries). Hurry – deal’s gone August 20.

Zune 120 GB Gears of War 2

PC Magazine has a nice demonstration of the yet to be released Microsoft Zune HD. According to leaked pricing information from Amazon expect a 16 GB version for $219 and 32 GB for $289.99. The player supports both HD video and HD radio broadcasts. It contains a 480-by-272-pixel OLED screen and works very similar to the iPod Touch – including the by-now-standard pinch zoom method of zooming in or out of the web browser screen. If advance rumors are correct, expect to see this debut in the fall.

PC Magazine

The upcoming Zune HD actually looks interesting. From a hardware perspective the device is slick. From an interface perspective it definitely looks like Microsoft has stepped up their game. There is, however, one aspect of the device that is especially impressive… Continue Reading

Been eyeing a Zune MP3/Video player because you’re not about to play into that “fad” called the iPod? Well good for you and here’s your chance to score an extra 15% savings plus free shipping courtesy of our eagle eyed friends at GearSponsor Logicbuy. The Dell Home site has a 120GB HDD based Zune available in either black or black. Supports music, video and photos as well as Wi-Fi and built in FM tuner. Coupon code 65G7RQ11J?M2LH scores the deal – which expires 8/23/09. Also available is this limited edition 120 GB Gears of War 2 Zune.

Zune 120 GB – $212.49

The summer’s not yet over. We have a full month before the kids head back to school and during that time there are plenty of beach days remaining. If you need to replace an MP3 player – or perhaps just want a quality but less expensive “beach” player – here’s your chance. This 8GB Zune is a refurbished model which is available on Newegg for about $50 than comparable new models on Amazon. If you’re interested don’t delay – the deal is done 7/31.

Zune 8GB (refurb) – $74

Now, this could be interesting.  OK, BlackBerry fans…know how you currently take your iTunes music libraries and sync the non-DRM files to your ‘Berry?  Maybe you just bypass iTunes altogether and have started using AmazonMP3 to get your non-DRM music fix?  Well, looks like RIM could soon be letting users wirelessly download MP3 files directly from their BlackBerry devices via their own music store.

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What this Sansa Fuze lacks in storage capacity (there’s only room for 2GB of your music and video) it makes up for in features (FM Radio, Voice Recording, Video Playback). You can expand the storage capacity by inserting your own microSD/microSDHC card which can boost storage to the limit supported by the compatible SDHC card. This new player is on sale for today only at Shnoop.

Sandisk Sansa 2GB Fuze Expandable MP3 Music/Video Player – $28.47

Today’s GearSponsor deal  is this black 30GB Zune MP3/WMA and video player from Microsoft for only $99. It comes with a car kit (cigarette lighter adapter and auto-tuning FM transmitter so you can listen to your songs playback over any FM station) and Wi-Fi is built in. The battery itself is rated for 14 hours on audio playback and 4 on video (MPEG4/WMV). UPDATE: DEAL SOLD OUT

Newegg via SD