There is no question the Zune HD is a fine piece of hardware. Slim and well-built is seems a shame to hide it behind any case. Yet there are going to be times when you Zune owners REALLY want to give your devices some protection. That’s where Speck’s new PixelSkin for the Zune HD comes in. As the company explains…

PixelSkin’s unique, soft yet grippy silicone material provides extra security against accidents while Zune fans everywhere ride to work or jam out at the gym. Custom cutouts for the screen, connector port and headphone jack make removal of this snugly form-fitting case unnecessary, either docked up or while on the move. Enjoy your new Zune HD’s built in radio, video output and wireless access carefree, knowing that you’re stylishly insured against inevitable finger-fumbles.

Speck’s PixelSkin case for the Zune HD is $24.95 MSRP. For more information and to order visit the Speck site.

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I’m a big fan of getting outside and walking. I find that listening to music or podcasts helps to pass the time, so like most people with MP3 players I always take my iPhone or Zune HD with me. I have recently started carrying my Zune HD because I love Zune Pass, which provides for nearly unlimited music downloads and automatically creates artist mixes – even from music I don’t own. WaterField’s new suede jacket is the perfect fit for my Zune HD. It’s thin enough to act as a shield and fits inside other WaterField cases. 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

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!!!

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

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

Here’s an ok deal for a remanufactured Black Zune 4GB. Normally priced in the $99 range you can pick this up today only from Newegg for $59.99. Included is a free car pack that broadcasts the signal to an FM station. Shipping is free and the deal is active only through 5/31/09.

Zune 4GB via FW

Microsoft today made the long rumored touch screen Zune HD device official. Set to launch in the fall, it appears that Microsoft is smartly looking to leverage their large (17 million strong) XBox 360 community as one method of content distribution. Look for Zune to be a premium content partner on Xbox LIVE Video Marketplace where you’ll be able to obtain all sorts of exciting TV and film releases.

Zune HD comes with a built in HD Radio Receiver (??), as well as a 480×272 OLED touch screen interface (16:9 widescreen format). There’s an HD-compatible output to allow the Zune HD to playback supported HD video files from the device via HDMI (high-definition multimedia interface) docking station (sold separately) to a TV in 720p. Worth noting that supported 720p HD video files play on the device, downscaled to fit the screen at 480 x 272 — not HD resolution. Zune HD and AV Dock, and an HDTV (all sold separately) are required to view video at HD resolution. PS - Yes , there’s Wi-Fi – but HD Radio? Did I miss the resurgence of terrestrial radio? Pricing is TBD and Microsoft is expected to show this off at the upcoming Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) next week.

Zune HD

I’m a pretty avid music collector and like most people I hate the disappointment that comes with purchasing an album – whether CD or download – and then finding out that it sucks isn’t as good as I hoped it would be.  Although I was initially reluctant to “rent” music through a subscription service, after trying one I came to enjoy the option of listening to an album before I purchased it.  Even better, I began to discover bands that I might never have considered if I had to put cold, hard cash on the line.

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Newgg has this white Zune 30GB on sale for $99. This is the same famous model that quit (then started) working back at the end of last year as the leap second appeared to interfere with the device’s clock. Everyone’s 30GB Zune (re)started up just fine in the new year and there should be no problems. At $99 this is one of the lowest prices for a white Zune.

Clean and white, the palest Zune looks contemporary and bright! You get a 30GB storage capacity, a 3 inch screen capable of showing 320 x 240 pixel images, the ability to watch video or look at pictures for up to four hours on a charge, (fourteen hours of music with the WiFi off, or thirteen hours with it on) and the ability to wirelessly share files from one Zune unit to another (subject to the usual copyright restrictions) up to thirty feet away.

You can use the display in portrait or landscape mode, and it plays several formats of both audio and video. The battery can be completely recharged in only three hours for minimum down-time.

A fast USB 2.0 connection can be used for synchronizing your data with what’s on your computer, and when you’re talking up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 pictures or up to 100 hours of video. Or you can go old-school and listen to the radio with the built-in FM tuner.

Zune 30GB – $99