Creative intros 8GB Zen V Plus, Muvo V100

In the wake of new 8GB flash players from Apple and SanDisk, Creative today announced an upgrade to the higher capacity in its music players as well as an inexpensive new entry model. The 8GB Zen V Plus (pictured at far right) doubles the capacity of the earlier model and shares the same features, including MP3 and WMA music playback, video support, and FM radio. Battery life is rated at 15 hours. As with Apple's iPod nano, the color options for 8GB are reduced to a single black model. It ships first to Singapore in October for the equipvalent of $270 US.

Creative has also unveiled the Muvo V100, a relatively simple but capacious player. The V100 plugs directly into a USB port and is very easy to manage: users only have to drag Audible, MP3 ,or WMA songs to the device in the OS to transfer their music. Lyrics display and voice recording are also supported for the 18 hours of playback time possible through a single AAA battery. Significantly, the new Muvo costs only $94 US for 2GB in its native Singapore and is shipping now. A North American launch is likely in the near future.