Tuesday, August 28,2007 @ 10:00am
Creative ZEN to take on flash video iPod
Creative is readying a small, flash-based but video-focused media player that will directly challenge Apple's upcoming iPod nano replacement, according to Amazon leaks. Simply to be called the Creative ZEN, the jukebox will include the same 2.5-inch LCD as the leaked Apple player but will mount the controls to the side like the ZEN Vision:W to emphasize video playback. The display should also represent an image quality upgrade with a full 16.7 million colors on view. Capacities are also likely to match Apple's and those of the ZEN V Plus) with 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB of flash. An SD slot will give Creative an advantage by expanding storage by another 2GB, according to Amazon.
The ZEN should further support FM radio and all the video formats of the much larger ZEN Vision:M, including the enthusiast-friendly DivX and XviD standards. It will also fully support TiVo To Go video and protected movies from Amazon Unbox or Wal-Mart, Creative claims. The ZEN is set to debut this Friday at the IFA show in Berlin and will be available in the US at prices of $150, $200, and $300 for the 4GB, 8GB, and 16GB editions when they ship in September. [via epiZENter]
