Creative prepping Wi-Fi ZEN Share player?

Creative will finally join companies such as Apple and Microsoft in offering a wireless music player, say some reported insiders privy to the details. Purportedly named the ZEN Share, the device will use Wi-Fi for its network connection. Most details are unavailable, though the name directly points to a sharing ability likely based on that of the Zune. The Microsoft player allows users of similar players to share tracks over a peer-to-peer wireless network and wraps songs in a temporary copy protection system to prevent trading of copyrighted tracks.

While pricing is unknown, the ZEN Share is most likely to appear before upgrades from rivals, the claim suggests. Initially penned for March, the jukebox is now set to be released in May or June and may only see an early announcement next month, appearing in time for Germany's CeBIT expo.

Such a device from Creative would be a late entry to the market. In addition to the iPod touch and Zune lines, other companies have offered similar Wi-Fi players in recent months with varying levels of functionality, including the Haier Ibiza Rhapsody and the SanDisk Sansa Connect. With the exception of the Apple player, most offer only limited Internet access, such as for music store subscriptions.

Filed under: iPod, gadgets, audio
Other story tags: Zune, SanDisk, Creative, ZEN, Sansa, Haier