ZVUE player updated to sleeker, iPod-like model
updated 08:25 am EST, Fri January 19, 2007
ZVUE 260 Media Player
HandHeld has just launched a major overhaul of its jukeboxes with the ZVUE 260. Adopting a slimmer profile than the outgoing 250 and adopting a more iPod-like shape, the 260 is nearly an ounce lighter than its Apple counterpart at 3.98 ounces. The player also gains greatly improved video playback, quadrupling the maximum resolution of its MPEG-4 and WMV clips to 320x240 at full speed. An external speaker has also been added to the ZVUE and makes it one of the rare players that can play content without requiring headphones. Audio playback now includes the latest protected Windows Media clips as well as MP3, OGG, and WAV tracks.
As with its earlier devices, HandHeld's new player depends solely on SD cards for storage; this keeps the initial price down while creating room for more storage over time, the company says. The ZVUE 260 is expected to ship by mid 2007, though the company has not specified whether or not this will include any memory cards.
