It’s no secret that we here at Gear Diary have enjoyed PDAir cases for many of our devices.  You can see some of our past reviews here, here, and here.   Oh, and here, too.  PDAir recently released several leather cases for the Zune HD and offered Gear Diary a chance to review a sample.  The new Zune HD styles include flip type, book type, sleeve type, and both vertical and horizontal pouch types.  I was sent a horizontal pouch case for review.

Continue Reading

Image courtesy of Flickr

We are no strangers to cases here at GearDiary. PDair has offered many cases in the past for us to take a look at, today we will take a look at the PDair aluminum case for the Zune HD. Over the past two weeks I had a chance to take the case out in the field during the Eastern Snowpocolypse and run it through some everyday situations. I am quite happy with the case so far, and plan on using the case to keep my Zune out of harms way. PDair makes a great aluminum cases for most phones and portable devices. The Zune HD does not have a huge offering of cases available, I’m a big fan of protecting my gadgets and my investment.

Continue Reading

Photo courtesy of Wareseeker

Even though the Zune HD packs one of the most powerful mobile platforms out today, the MP3 player gets no love compared to Apples’s industry Juggernaut the iPod. I have a 32GB Zune HD and absolutely love it. The biggest issue I have is the small marketplace and app support.  The Zune HD is actually a really great player, but needs to unleash the power of the Tegra, and so far has failed to do so. With Tegra powering the device, HD content and games have no problems with playback or quality. The ultra slim case and OLED screen make it stand out from the crowded MP3 player market, but the software development has been left in the cold since the release.

Our friends at Microsoft are finally releasing a worthy firmware update for the device. MPEG-4 (part 2 Advanced Simple Profile) codecs incl. Xvid will be natively supported after the update. Playback will also allow the codecs to work while docked and connected to a HD monitor. Unfortunately Divx will not be making an appearance this time around, but you can scour the internet for some good transcoding software to take care of that for you. Smart DJ (on-the-fly playlists) will also be featured in this update, currently available on the desktop client but now will be a feature on the device itself. Hopefully the future brightens up for the Zune, I would like some other streaming media apps outside of the marketplace such as Pandora.

For now I’ll patiently wait for the update and enjoy the Zune for what it is. The super responsive multitouch screen and accelerometer leaves endless opportunities for future apps and games. HD radio is also great feature but adding some streaming media over Wifi would be even better. More accessories are beginning to show up along with a few good selections of screen protectors and cases. We’ll update you when the new firmware has been released.

Via Slashgear

Okay, so not everyone loves their iPhone and iPod touch. There are, in fact, people who really love their Microsoft Zune HDs. I wanted to know WHY a reader would choose the Zune HD over the iPod touch… so I asked.

Continue Reading

I’m an iPod kinda guy but even I can appreciate the appeal of the Zune HD. The hardware is slick, the screen is gorgeous and the ZunePass is an awesome deal. If you have a Zune no doubt you want to keep it in as close to pristine condition as possible. Speck’s PixelSkin is one great option!

Here’s a quick look and a chance to win one of two Speck PixelSkin cases for the ZuneHD.

Continue Reading

If you want a music player with huge capacity (32GB), a gorgeous screen (how about a 3.3 OLED Touchscreen?) and a great way to find and enjoy all the music you want for small monthly fee (can you say “Zune Pass”?) then the Zune HD is for you.

Our GearSponsor has found a great deal on one that will let you nab it for $269. In addition you get Amazon’s great customer service, free shipping, a $5 Amazon.com MP3 download coupon and a free year of Wired Magazine. But hurry, this GearDeal is expiring soon.

Microsoft Zune HD 32GB 3.3-inch Touchscreen + FREE $5 MP3 credit, Wired Magazine Subscription via LogicBUY

Oh, and you can get a great deal on a 16GB version too!

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.

,

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