Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Portable Audio

Creative got a bit more creative with the ZEN Mosaic’s name since we spotted it in Singapore last month, but the freshly rechristened ZEN Mozaic is now available (and in stock, just to be exceptionally clear) in the US of A for your purchasing pleasure. For those seeking a brief refresher, here goes: there’s a 1.8-inch display (160 x 128 resolution), up to 36 hours of audio playback / 5 hours of video playback, support for MP3 / WAV / WMA / JPEG / BMP files, a 5-band custom equalizer, calender / contacts / task list and USB 2.0 connectivity. The oddly designed DAP can be procured in both 2GB and 4GB flavors (but only in black, at least for now), with the former going for $59.99 and the latter $79.99.

[Thanks, Oscar]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Creative’s got yet another on the way: the Zen Mosaic, which will have a 1.8-inch display, 2, 4, or 8GB capacities, FM tuner, speakers, MP3 / WMA / WAV / Audible codec support, and 32 hours of battery life. They’re apparently starting in Singapore and working their way over, but they shouldn’t top $200 when they’re eventually announced for the US.

[Thanks, Rube]

Read - Announced details on the player [Via EpiZenter]
Read - First hands-on

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Not a ton’s changed with Creative’s ZEN X-Fi — which we all well know at this point — so for right now we’re just paying closer attention to its innards all broken out like a science fair project. Careful, the teardown link below contains graphic representations of disrobed consumer electronics.

[Thanks, Josh and Mindy]

Read - Zen X-Fi teardown
Read - Anything But iPod’s review
Read - Pocketables review

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Portable Audio

Apparently Creative is cooking up more than just the ZEN X-Fi as of late, according to a discovery made by anythingbutipod forum members. The crew stumbled onto the ZEN Krystal, a small MP3 player that features 4GB of storage, a blue OLED display, an FM tuner, and support for MP3 and WMA files. What really makes the device pique our curiosity, however, is the included built-in pedometer, which can track distance and speed à la Nike+, as well as the handful of games that come on-board the little guy. Right now the player is only up on Creative’s Hong Kong site, and we’ve got no word on price or release date.

[Via anythingbutipod]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

It’s one thing to say “available now.” It’s another thing to give consumers a “Buy Now” button. For those of you anxious to plunk down a few bills and some spare change to bring home one of Creative’s new WiFi-equipped ZEN X-Fi units, today’s your lucky day. The 16GB edition is shipping now from Amazon for $199.99, while the 32GB sibling demands $279.99. Order away… or not, totally up to you.

[Thanks, Mickey J.]

Read - 16GB ZEN X-Fi
Read - 32GB ZEN X-Fi

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Creative’s got a good thing going with the multifaceted Zen X-Fi — at least on paper — and we’re quite thrilled to see it already hitting the websites of US e-tailers. Announced earlier this week in Singapore, the well-equipped PMP should be available soon (no specific ship date is mentioned) in 8GB ($149.99), 16GB ($199.99) and 32GB ($279.99) models. Interestingly, the 8GB iteration doesn’t seem to include built-in WiFi based on the cryptic header over at Buy.com, but we suspect we’ll have to wait things out a bit longer before jumping to too many conclusions.

[Thanks, Dr. Slo]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video, Wireless

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video, Wireless

Creative got some Jello-O knees in the run-up to launching Zen Share, its WiFi-enabled PMP, and decided to quit the project altogether. The company is blaming “technical complications,” which we have a suspicion is shorthand for “building the necessary software to make WiFi helpful in a DAP is harder than we anticipated.” That’s too bad, but have no fear: Creative is replacing the project with a player due in the next two months that will sport an “exciting” design. We know, you’re so excited right now. Rumor has it that the player could be an X-Fi-branded DAP with a metal back and X-Fi audio processing. Creative also confirmed that it’s moving exclusively to flash memory.

[Via Electronista]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

There’s hardly a shortage of pocketable devices for the blind, but the Zen is lookin’ out for the visually impaired who crave a more full-fledged computing experience. Essentially, the Sandbox PC (hardware) and Zen (operating system) would team up to “create a computing environment that could be used with eyes closed.” More specifically, it would utilize an Active Surface for displaying text in Braille and producing images, windows and icons that could be felt. No word on whether this contraption would handle other tasks such as reading one’s e-mail aloud or enabling the blind to still participate in Hot or Not, but nevertheless, it’s definitely a step in the right direction.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Creative keeps slashing Zen prices — just a couple weeks after cutting the 32GB model to $299, it’s back with price cuts to the midrange. The 4GB Zen is now just $99, while the 8GB model falls to $149 — the same price as the 4GB iPod nano, for those of you keeping score at home. Not bad, not bad at all — but we’ll wait to see what comes of this Zen Share rumor first.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Digging the 32GB of NAND, but not so hot about the $499 pricetag on Apple’s latest iPod touch? Creative would like to remind you that it got there first, for less, with the Zen, and has slashed the price to $299 from the original $349 to keep that margin healthy. Sure, the 2.5-inch screen is a bit smaller, and we’ve given Creative a bit of a hard time over the years for an occasional failure to innovate, but reviewers seemed to love on the Zen, and it’s hard to argue with this deal.

[Via DailyTech]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Portable Video

Apparently, some Creative fans have begun to speculate that a new iteration of the company’s Zen V might be making an appearance, due to a listing on its site for a product called the “ZEN V Video.” The link won’t take you anywhere substantial (in fact, all you get is an error when you try to download anything related to the entry), but it does suggest that the company has plans to introduce a more video-centric version of its popular player. Since we’ve seen some dubious (i.e., fake) Creative video players lately, we’re not going to get too excited just yet — but feel free to draw your own, wildly imaginative conclusions.

[Via epiZENter]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

As is our way sometimes, we happened to stumble upon a pair of photos (read: a source sent us some pictures) claiming to be an unannounced, widescreen PMP from Creative. Kinda like a Zen or Vision W, but without the asymmetrical controls on the side. And yep, the full-screen player looks to be touch-sensitive, and may or may not sport WiFi, which has been a winning combo for several other devices that we know and love. Check out the other shot after the break.

Continue reading What full-screen, touch-sensitive Creative PMP is this?

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

digg_url = ‘http://digg.com/gadgets/New_Creative_Touchscreen_DAP’; As is our way sometimes, we happened to stumble upon a pair of photos (read: a source sent us some pictures) claiming to be an unannounced, widescreen PMP from Creative. Kinda like a Zen or Vision W, but without the asymmetrical controls on the side. And yep, the full-screen player looks to be touch-sensitive, and may or may not sport WiFi, which has been a winning combo for several other devices that we know and love. Check out the other shot after the break.

Update: Certainly does look a lot like a Cowon Q5 all photoshopped up, innit? Thanks Connor.

Continue reading Is this a full-screen, touch-sensitive Creative PMP? Update: probably not.

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

It may be too late to snag one, get it delivered and wrap it with heaps of love before next Tuesday (or not), but if an IOU will do, we’ve found a stunning candidate for a last minute gift. Creative’s long awaited 32GB Zen has finally moved beyond the pre-order stage, which means anxious to-be owners can at long last place an order and expect shipment shortly thereafter. $349.99 and it’s yours, all yours.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Like we needed any more confirmation, but Creative has finally put an end to any remaining incredulity on our part by posting a press release with all the sordid details of its new 32GB Zen. We’re not really used to “world firsts” from Creative in the DAP space, but the doubling in capacity over competing flash-based players certainly qualifies as one — though Sansa seems to be hot on Creative’s heels. The Zen is otherwise the same as its 4GB, 8GB and 16GB siblings, including that SD card slot for expansion should 32GB prove limiting for you. The new player will be available mid-December in Singapore for S$549.00 (about $380 US), and there’s no word on release dates for Europe or the States. Get ready to import!

Update: Friendly tipster Justin R. pointed out that you can indeed pre-order the 32GB Zen from Creative’s US store for a mere $329.

[Thanks, Rene]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

As if the last two reports about a 32GB Zen from Creative weren’t enough for you, here’s another for a lazy Saturday. This time, Crave claims to have an unspecified confirmation that a 2GB and 32GB Zen is coming, and it’s coming in flash form. Would that make this the highest capacity flash PMP out there? It’d certainly be pipping Sansa to the post.

[Thanks, Cody B.]

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments

Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!

Filed under: Portable Audio, Portable Video

Ok, maybe the last evidence of a 32GB Zen was a false alarm (or was it?) but how do you explain this Creative? That’s a screen shot taken just a few seconds ago of your live US site. Got something to announce do ya? Hit those read links to see for yourself — right, links, it shows up more than once.

[Via epiZENter, thanks Cody]

Read — features page
Read — spec page

Permalink | Email this | Comments

Office Depot Featured Gadget: Xbox 360 Platinum System Packs the power to bring games to life!