Creative unveils touchscreen ZEN X-Fi2
updated 12:15 pm EDT, Wed September 2, 2009
Creative's first true touchscreen media player
Creative today entered touchscreen players in earnest by launching the ZEN X-Fi2. Unlike the currently developer-only and Android-based Zii Egg, the new model is a direct replacement with a custom interface for its 3-inch touchscreen that simplifies the controls. The namesake X-Fi audio engine has also been given a boost and should restore details lost to audio compression not only in music but FM radio and video.
Dimensions have also been slimmed down partly through newer technology but also the use of microSDHC instead of regular SDHC cards for storage.
Audio format support allows for AAC, Audible books, FLAC, MP3 and WMA, but video is the X-Fi2's emphasis with DivX 4/5, MPEG-4, WMV and XviD all playing natively. Extra touches include a mic for voice recording and the option of syncing and caching RSS news feeds to read offline, but the new X-Fi doesn't have the Wi-Fi that certain original X-Fi models did.
Low prices are also Creative's selling points, as players start at $130 for an 8GB version and will include a $180 16GB version as well as a $230 32GB model. Pre-orders start today through Amazon and Creative itself, but the company hasn't said when the players ship.
Creative's first real touchscreen player arrives nearly two years after Apple and also lags behind other companies like Microsoft and Sony that were also late to respond to devices like the iPod touch.
Wow
09/02, 12:58pm reply
How about "Creative releases blatant iPod touch rip-off? That's some original styling right there-- I think Apple should sue over this one.
njfuzzy
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Apr 2001
Change
09/02, 01:51pm reply
Time for Creative to change their company name. Maybe something like "I Wannabe Like An iPod Touch", or "iCopyCat". Something like that.
slapppy
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Mar 2008
No kidding!
09/02, 01:53pm reply
I had to look really close, because I thought they were showing their interface on an iphone.
Flying Meat
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2007
You guys for real?
09/21, 02:35pm reply
Who cares about the interface if it works. It's not a bad idea to make it similar to something people are familiar with so there's less frustration with how to work it. If that's the only thing you have to say about it than don't say anything. It's like saying Nissan are copycats for making their gearbox similar to Mazda. Or that the their speedometer functions and has the same font and colours as them. Give me a break
theredpaperclip
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Joined: Sep 2009