'Tis the season for tunes, and I'm willing to bet that at least a few lucky readers got their hands on a shiny new Zune HD recently. Getting acquainted with this excellent MP3 player will be entertainment enough for some, but there are some possible frustrations that may need to be overcome, and there's more fun to be had beyond the initial features of the device. No matter what the case may be, we've got you covered with a slew of useful articles designed to help Zune HD owners. I've rounded up some of the key points below for easy reference.
- Phase out the iPod: Hey, it may not happen every day, but considering all the iPods sold in the past, there's a good chance that some of you are now migrating from Apple's player to the Zune HD. And that's not as simple as it sounds, thanks to the need to change your primary music management software. Luckily, CNET's resident Zune expert Donald Bell is here to help with his article on how to switch from an iPod to a Zune
- Pack it full of music: Really, the best way to fully enjoy the Zune HD is to get a Zune Pass for $15 per month. The music subscription will allow you to stream and download from the Zune Marketplace's catalog with abandon, creating as many custom playlists as you like and getting recommendations through the Zune Social. You can try it out for free for 14 days to see if you like it. (A credit card is required.)
- Replace those stock earbuds: The Zune is capable of providing top-notch audio quality, but you're not going to get it from the earbuds that are included in the package. Be sure to peruse CNET's best headphones list to find a new pair that's up for the task.
- Deck out your player: The iPod isn't the only MP3 player that has an array of third-party extras readily available for purchase. Several accessories makers have put out speakers, cases, and more for the Zune family. If you want to enhance to Zune HD, make sure you check out our roundup of accessories for the Zune.
- Load up some apps: Although the Zune HD has been a bit slow out of the gate when it comes to applications, there is a handful available that may be worth your while depending on what kind of user you are. Most recently, Twitter announced an app for the player, and there are a handful of games including checkers and bowling. For the entire list, check out Zune.net.
If you're grown tired of belonging to the cult of the white earbuds, there are plenty of options on the market that provide better sound, improved comfort, and more style. But if you really want your headphones to make you stand out from the crowd, nothing will do it better than some truly strange earphones. From cutesy to scary to flat-out over-the-top, you'll find something unusual in the roundup below.
If you have a favorite animal, chances are you can now find it in the form of an iPod speaker. We've seen everything from pigs and pandas to cats and dogs. Heck, even insect lovers aren't left out in the cold, thanks to Vestalife's array of winged speakers.
One of these is the $130 Firefly, an iPod and iPhone speaker dock with a solid feel, compact design, and pleasing audio quality. For those who are after a different-looking portable speaker with a reasonable smattering of extras, this unit could fit the bill.
Once Monster dipped its toes into the headphone market, there was no stopping the cable manufacturer from releasing a bevy of earphones on the unsuspecting masses. From in-ear to on-ear to over-the-ear, you shouldn't have trouble finding a pair of undeniably stylish Monster headphones to suit your needs.
The latest offering is the Beats by Dr. Dre Solo, an on-ear model that features ControlTalk, which is essentially fancy terminology for an inline mic and integrated controls for the iPod. This $200 set offers all the bass we expected from the first two Dr. Dre headphones in a slick, compact package. Unfortunately, while the low end is satisfyingly ear-shaking, it also tends to muddy up the overall sound space.
In the case of Subjekt's Ruffian Skull Earphones, I'm fairly convinced that you will find this slideshow more than satisfactory to quench your curiosity about these scary looking 'buds. But beyond being absolutely metal to the core (in more ways than one), these intense-looking headphones actually have some other merits that certain people might find appealing. Namely: they don't sound half bad! And at $59.99, these unique 'buds won't break the bank either. Mosey on through the slideshow for more details, including information on fit, design, and audio quality.
This week, Donald will just not_shut_up already, so Jasmine tries to impose a word cap on his ramblings (it fails). Items that are babbled upon include the overly bass-heavy Dr. Dre Beats Solo headphones, a potential Zii war between Nintendo and Creative, an itty-bitty $9 MP3 player, and a potential HD video player from Cowon. Also, Donald shoots Jasmine with lasers, and we drool over an ultraquiet vacuum with a built in iPod speaker.
Listen now:
Download today's podcast
Subscribe in iTunes audio | Subscribe in iTunes video | Subscribe in RSS audio | Subscribe in RSS video
... Read more
I know, I know...you're thinking, "really? Another holiday-themed list? Really!" But here's the thing: this one is legen(wait for it)dairy! Or awesome, take your pick. Actually, the selections here could make appropriate gifts for any time of year. the reason I just had to make another one is that I wanted complete creative control over the stuff to be included. No sticking to one category, no price guidelines, heck, no having to include only things that are actually available in the U.S. (Consider yourself warned.) This list includes seven sweet gadgets I'd love to see under my tree or would happily plunk down my own hard-earned cash for, plus two extras "just for kicks." Enjoy.
As Jasmine France battles yet another cold, she defaults to Donald Bell for most of the talking, though her monotone voice intervenes at a few soothing intervals. On deck for this week: an unpopular story about popular gadgets, talks about Apple acquiring music cloud site LaLa, tips on how to ditch the iPod for the Zune (without hurting anyone's feelings), and a brief look at a new video service. Also: a listener looks for a mom-worthy MP3 player.
Listen now:
Download today's podcast
Subscribe in iTunes audio | Subscribe in iTunes video | Subscribe in RSS audio | Subscribe in RSS video
... Read more
Monster Turbine earphones
Q: Can you help me to choose an earphone? I have $150. For the sound, I like an earphone that has great bass and clear sound. Which one is the best between Dr. Dre Tour, Shure SE210 and Bose earphone? -- Yudanto, via e-mail
A: Personally, I would not go for any of those, though for the Dr. Dre Tours, it's more a matter of fit (the earpieces are very long). As for the Shure SE210s, those are not the best model for thumping bass. And the Bose In-Ear 'phones have had lukewarm reviews overall from users and editors alike.
I'm not sure what the availability is like in Indonesia, but my recommendations for you are as follows, in order:
- Monster Turbine
- Klipsch Image S4
- Ultimate Ears Super.fi EB (if you have a little extra to spend or can find a deal)
SanDisk Sansa Clip+
Q: My girlfriend is getting a gift for a relative who likes to read, so I recommended a Sansa Clip and an audiobooks gift card. Before she goes through with it, I wanted to check with the MP3 queen to see your thoughts on the Clip as an audiobook player, and your favorite audiobook purveyor. If you've got a better idea for a gift, I would appreciate it, but keep in mind that her budget is $75 (preferably less). -- bereezy, via e-mail
A: I would go with the Sansa Clip+. You can check out our list of top choices for audiobooks; as you can see, the Clip+ is the best option in her price range. It also leaves plenty of the budget left over for a gift card.
... Read moreIn the vast sea of MP3 players, headphones, and other portable audio accessories, not all can reign supreme. Some have the best battery life, some provide the boomiest bass, and some offer the best bang for your buck. But we're not addressing these more "nebulous" items here. Instead, we've got a list based only on the hardest data we can get: hits.
The top 10 most popular portable audio gadgets list is based solely on traffic numbers. Of course, even this measurement is not without a couple of caveats. Namely, these numbers favor older products, since newer products have had less time on the site to build traffic. In addition, gadgets on our top products lists also get some favoritism because--well--they're the most popular pages on CNET.
Check 'em out--in order from 1 to 10--below.
