Archive for the ‘Creative’ Category
Creative is about to launch its latest addition to its Zen-series of portable media players with the introduction of the Zen X-Fi. This player differs somewhat from the Zen, as not only does it feature Creative’s X-Fi technology, but it will also have WiFi and support from instant messaging.
It won’t be using touch-screen technology, which is a major flaw on what will be Creative’s new flagship player. Instead, it has a set of nine round little buttons which will be used much like a phone keypad for the IM functionality.
The inclusion of WiFi will allow you to stream music to the player when connected via a wireless network and Creative will offer a paid-for "music rental" service, although you can also stream music from your home PC.
Other features include an SD card slot (carried over from the Zen and it appears to have the same poor integration), a built-in speaker, up to 36h battery life for music and 5h battery life for video, support for MP3, WMA, unprotected AAC, WAV and Audible files, support for WMV, MPEG4-SP, DivX 4/5, XviD and MJPEG video files, an FM tuner and a mic for voice recording.
The Zen X-Fi also comes with Creative’s new Centrale software, which was up for download earlier on Creative’s site, but the download has since then been removed. A new pair of headphones will also be supplied and they’re known as the Creative EP-830 and are available separately.
You can find out more about the Zen X-Fi here and here.
It has been quite a while since Creative has released anything substantial since the Zen, but here it is and what looks like their new flag ship. Details of the player have been confirmed via software found on the net (via). What is cool is included in the software is a user manual showing off all the new features and this Zen is pretty feature packed.
On the wireless side the X-Fi will be Wi-Fi 802.11 B/G allowing you to stream media from your computer and chat with friends over Gtalk, MSN Messenger, and Yahoo! Messenger. From reading the manual it doesn’t look like there is any wireless sync. Update: GenMP3 does mention that you can transfer content over Wi-Fi, perhaps something I missed going over the manual at 1 AM.
Creative added a new color (White) to its 4GB MuVo T200 line-up. The price is the same as the Black version, as well as the specifications.
For the record, our DAP features 4GB of memory (there is also a 2GB version), is MP3/WMA compatible, has bass boost function, FM radio tuner, and built-in mic.
It should cost 40€ and be available at the of June.
The popular cheap-as-chips Zen Stone/Zen Stone Plus are set for an upgrade this year. The V2.0 devices will have an integrated mono speaker—pretty exciting, eh? Check out the gallery for some shots of the new MP3 players.
The Zen Stone of old will now be available in blue, pink, champagne and black colors, as well as in 1GB or 2GB flavors, besides the novelty speaker, not much has changed. The Zen Stone Plus will also get the mono speaker treatment. The higher end models will be available, as before, with an integrated FM radio, voice recording capability, OLED screen and in either 2GB or 4GB varieties.
The new players will ship with a silicon skin; a sports armband and carry case keychain will be available separately. According to the CEO of Creative "It’s hard to believe that such incredibly small players can have a speaker that sounds so good…" Beyond possible, we would have to say. The 1GB model will ship this February in Japan, retailing at 4,980 yen ($48.) Further pricing and shipping dates are not available at present.
Source gizmodo
QDOS are offering FM Transmitters designed especially to work with Creative’s ZEN V and ZEN V Plus MP3 players.
As with all FM transmitters, these accessories allows you to listen to music from a ZEN V or a ZEN V Plus on a car radio with a simple wireless connection.
All you have to do is find a free FM frequency on the car radio, and then set the FM Transmitter to this same frequency and music from the the MP3 player will be transmitted to your car radio.
The Transmitter claims robust support on a swivel holder for adjusting the ZEN to any angle, promises a clearly legible integrated LCD screen and large keys so that you can easily choose the transmission frequency.
The device memorises the usual transmission frequency, which means you can programme a "ZEN link" in your car radio, and offers recharging of the ZEN player via the cigarette lighter.
The QDOS FM Transmitter is available online now for £39.99.
Source pocket-lint