10 July 2008

By: Ionut Arghire, Hardware Editor
Creative Zen X-Fi Launch Gets Official
IM features, Creative technology, WiFi, and lots of other characteristics packed in a 69g device
The already announced launch of the new Zen X-Fi PMP from Creative is finally getting official. The new PMP will come in two versions, one WiFi and the other non WiFi, featuring 16 and 32GB for the former, while only 8GB for the latter. Still, it seems that the Zen X-Fi will only be available for the APAC region at this time. The screen size of the new Creative is only 2.5 inches, mainly because the WiFi model has some expanded features supposed to allow users to connect to either MSN or Yahoo Messenger by means of the mobile phone-like keypad set on the side of the display. Yet, the screen size modifications may affect those potential Zen X-Fi customers wishing to use its instant messaging features on a regular basis. Even so, the screen features a 320x240 pixels resolution and is capable of displaying 16.7 million colors. We can still hope that the future will bring us some high-quality PMP which will offer a widescreen display. The main characteristics that Zen X-Fi packs up are Creative's X-Fi Crystalizer technology, used for quality enhancements for the compressed audio files, and Creative's X-Fi Expand option, which is meant to provide a "natural feel" to the sound. Other X-Fi features like EAX or CMSS-3D seem to have been left aside. The device will come with a built in speaker, an SD memory card slot (which is expected to be better than the SD implementation on the original Zen), a built in FM radio with 32 presets, a built in equalizer, alarm functions, USB 2.0 interface and the new Centrale audio ripping and syncing application. The battery is supposed to last for 36h of music playback and 5h of video rendering. Creative's Zen X-Fi weighs only 69g and measures 83x55x12.8mm (DxWxH). Included in the shipping package, there is a pair of noise-insulating EP-830 premium in-ear headphones. Creative also released an entire series of accessories for the device, including a speaker dock and various protective cases. 32GB Zen X-Fi is already available, while the other two models are expected to come later this month. The price tag for the 32GB version with WiFi is set at about $293.
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30 June 2008

By: Ionut Arghire, Hardware Editor
Creative Zen X-Fi PMP Getting Ready for Launch
The new player will feature WiFi, IM, and other new options meant to enhance user experience

Zen X-Fi epizenter

Creative Labs is getting closer to the day it will introduce the new Zen X-Fi; it will be added to its Zen series of portable media players. The new player has a few more features than the rest of the series, making it somehow different. It includes Creative's X-Fi technology, but also has WiFi and support for instant messaging, and it features four more buttons along the edges of the D-pad, besides the original control layout of the series.The player has nine round little buttons which provide good functionality for IM, just like a phone keypad. The touch-screen technology is not available yet, and that may be considered a minus for Creative's new player.Music streaming to the player is available when connected to a wireless network through the included WiFi. The company also announced the availability of a paid-for "music rental" service, but users can also stream music from their home PC. Some specifications on the user guide suggest that only some versions of Zen X-Fi will feature the WiFi options, and not the entire model series. The X-Fi can be turned on and off from the menu, and it comes in two options, X-Fi Crystalizer, and X-Fi Expand. The first option has been designed to restore details that were lost during compression of audio files, making them clearer, as to get close to the original quality. The second option is meant to give sound a more natural feel, creating the illusion of attending a live performance on stage. When used with earphones or headphones, X-Fi Expand works best. As the entire Zen series, the new player will also feature an SD card slot, still located on the top of the device. Other features include a built-in speaker, located at the bottom of the player, support for MP3, WMA, unprotected AAC, WAV and Audible files, support for WMV, MPEG4-SP, DivX 4/5, XviD and MJPEG video files, an FM tuner and a microphone for voice recording, as well as up to 36h battery life for music and 5h battery life for video play. Creative's new Central software is also featured by the player, which will be supplied along with a new pair of headphones, known as the Creative EP-830, available separately as well. As the player is featured and some variations of it can also be spotted, it seems to be in the final stages of development, so we should expect the company to officially announce it during the next months.
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