The Creative Zen Sleek

We could do a little without the devices named with adjectives, but no denying Creative's new Zen Sleek is just that—for a Creative device, anyway. But you're going to love this: the Sleek is the first player in its class to not only feature similar specs to the full-size iPod, but to trump it in both size and weight: at 10.1 x 5.9 x 1.7cm (vs 10.4 x 6.1 x 1.6cm) and 157g (vs 167g). Sure, it doesn't have a color screen and we don't know if it's mass-storage compliant, but did we mention the 20GB USB 2.0 device will also have an FM tuner, 16 hour playback, WMA PlaysForSure support, and built-in mic recording? iPod, move over, we're calling this.

[Jonathan @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

Looks a lot better than that fuzzy pic from before. Actually looks sleek here, instead of clunky.

[Timmah! @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

Finally!

Is Creative about ready to do something right in the DAP market? I still have their original Nomad Zen Xtra 60gig and inho, it still owns just every iFad (for what i want - more features etc). While i won't mind if it were smaller, I can live with it being maybe 15% bigger in size/weight etc. This one seems to have all of that and I'm sure the bigger hdd will come soon enough too.

Cheers Creative!

[Simon @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

why don't these guys tack on ogg support? I'd be on board in a second if they got with the Ogg Vorbis program!

[jg @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

didn't the Cowon iAudio trump the iPod before this in both size and weight, not to mention features.

[Aaron @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

I'm with you, Simon. Ogg is free. Why not add it in?

But even with Ogg support, it'll most likely still require software to do any music transfering instead of just being able to copy files right over. That's the thing that will keep me in iRiver and Cowon's hands for now.

[pableu @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

Finally.. not as thick and heavy as the Zen Touch, and much sleeker designed.
Too bad it will very probably not be recognized as a normal USB-Drive..
Still, I prefer iAudio and iRiver ^^

[narco @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

It's funny how they just named it "Sleek" -- as if they have to tell people it's sleek. This is a better attempt (and I particularly love the size) but it's still going to ship with the bad software.

Fishes,
narco.

[Lars @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

If it's anything like the Zen Touch, the scroll thingy sucks beyond belief.

[Kev @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

creative make awful players. I Bought a nomad zen extra 60 gb and it sucked. Cant see myself ever getting a creative again. Iriver and Iaudio DAPs are far superior to it

[fitzage @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

Still looks pretty ugly to me.

[Tyler @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

From link:
"Creative has launched an Apple iPod mini lookalike in its latest member of the Zen MP3 players - Zen Sleek"

How is this an iPod mini lookalike?

[David @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

it really doesn't look like a ipod mini, the shape is looks sorta the same, but everything else looks different

hopefully this one will be good and support ogg and be a ums device

[Freddy @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

sweeeet... its got an fm radio in it... there is a start.
no chance against the ipods...

next

[anonymous @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

I like this design, though for some reason, when I first saw it I thought it was from Gateway.

Mass storage complaint will likely tip the scales in either direction for this player.

[Tupper @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

these are not the pods we're looking for

move on, move on

[Elias @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

The iPod's ad campaign will keep it on top. Apple has us all under their spell -- whenever you think of an mp3 player, you think iPod, not Zen.

[Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

So I guess this an admission that all of their previous players were definitely *not* sleek...

"No, no, see... THIS is the sleek one! See, it's right in the name!"

Still, something kind of cheap and plasticky looking about this, despite the obvious attempt to make it look as brushed metal as possible in this photo. The burnishment on this metal is a little bit coarse (like somebody went over it with a piece of sandpaper), the detailing a bit thick looking. It has sort of an unrefined look to it.

I'd take a Toshiba Gigabeat over this. But then, I'm already pretty happy with my iPod and have no reason to switch.

[Opimon @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

Very pretty design, but nevertheless a little square.

[Fen @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

Yeeeah, I'll keep my iPod thank you very much.

[guido @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

whens it coming out? creative are professionals and know how to to deliver good product. i bought the zen touch which in my opinion can test against the i pod. the specs are good and dont judge a book by its cover the bulkiness rules!

[MikeCerm @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

I'm with you OGG-people, seriously. Creative players have a reputation for sound quality ("better than iPod"), but nothing beats my Karma (or other Vorbis-supporting device) because the WMA format sucks.

I'm happy listening to Vorbis at 96 kbps (Q2). I can tolerate 48 kbps (Q-1) because sometimes it's worth the saving all that space. I cannot tolerate WMA at bitrates less than 128 kbps, and 128 is only acceptable with 2-pass VBR.

I just couldn't deal with a device that made me encode at a higher bitrate just to achieve nearly the same sound quality. That's also why I would never pay for Napster-to-Go, etc. I just don't want to listen to WMA @ 128k CBR. It's not good. What MS would do if they were smart is replace their WMA format with one that's based on the open-source Vorbis (like when Apple replaced their shitty OS with one based a better one based on open-source tech). They could still keep their DRM scheme, and what would be the harm?

Backward compatibility for one, but so? Wouldn't that be funny? Windows Media version 9 gets replaced by open-source based version 10 (call it something snappy, like WM-X), and there's no backward compatibility! Echo... echo... echo...

Vorbis is free. It sounds awesome. It should be supported. Get with it, Creative.

[Carlos @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

It does very much look like a mini, the shape, the placement of everything, and espcially the earbuds. Just change the color, but anyways... It looks Creative might actually make something that one would want to buy for once, the name stinks, though.

[jjd @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

You would think that they would be nervous about having a UI (according to the picture above) that is basically EXACTLY like the UI on the iPod. You know how Apple love to sue people about intellectual property....

[Kevin @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

The Zen Micro, got a firmware upgrade awhile ago making it usable as a portable storage device, without having install creative software on the other computer to transfer files.

Unfortunately, you have to specify a portion of the player's disk space to be used as storage(i.e you can't put music in the storage area and play it, you must keep the music in the music area to play it)

Also, it'll only transfer to windows machines I think. Meh, it's the 2.xx firmware upgrade, read the changelog at their site.

If the Zen micro got a firmware upgrade to do this, I'm sure the newer Zen sleek can do it as well.

Creative's strategy has been to try to beat iPods on a feature-by-feature basis. On paper it seems they've succeeded in doing this in the zen micro and zen touch. However, this is on paper. In reality, all those extra features being delivered at a lower price than iPods means that some corners are getting cut somewhere.

There was a vicious problem with early versions of the zen micro expiring soon after that 90-day warranty(such a short warranty is a sign they have no confidence in their manufacturing process). The firmware has flaws, and indeed the zen micro is still waiting for a firmware to eliminate all the battery charge problems(3 battery drain problems so far, 2 down, 1 to go).

But indeed, if you RMA defective zen micros or buy one of the new revisions, and they finally release a firmware fixing all the remaining battery issues, the Zen Micro will indeed beat the iPod mini in all but 3 areas:
1.) Aesthetics, which can't be readily measured since it's a subjective observation.
2.) Size, where it would pretty much tie, since the iPod mini is longer but not as wide, and the Zen Micro is shorter but wider.(thickness is about the same)
3.) Weight, Zen Micro weighs more than the iPod Mini.

A possible 4th area is that iPod products have way accessories being made for them, while this isn't a trait of the mp3 players themselves, it's worth noting.

In every other category, the Zen Micro beats the iPod mini.

Hopefully Creative'll manage to pull off this "Zen Sleek" smoother than the Zen Micro, and have it actually beat the iPod without waiting months for a working revision and firmware.

[Justin @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

I'm going to be honest: the thing just doesn't look as good as an iPod. I love the brushed metal look, but the frame around the screen just makes it look . . . badly proportioned and cheap. The border thing around the buttons isn't as bad, but I think it'd look better without either.

Looks aside, addition of a FM tuner and mic recording. . . I could see that being beneficial to some. . . not anything that I need.

Now the software that ships from Creative? I'll bet it sucks.

[Dave @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

The two reasons Creative players suck:

1. Industrail design, aka No scrollwheel. It is a true innovation and far superior to all the other input methods.

2. Creative PlayCenter - it is possibly the worst piece of software ever written.

Other reasons:

- iTunes Music Store

- diluted array of Creative Players. iPod has THREE players, period. Creative has like 87. Honestly, I cannot tell what the difference is between the Zen Touch, Zen Sleek and Zen Whatever.

[Sean @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

Well as good as this player looks, I doubt it will make it above the iPod. Simply because creative will probably screw up on advertising. Me? I'd get this player over an iPod any day however, many people belive that the iPod is the only MP3 player on the market(yes, we have idiots in this world). I currently own a creative zen micro and this triumphs over the iPod mini simply in style and features. The only thing that the micro has a disadvantage over the iPod mini is the software which I can imagine creative will screw up on also with this player by installing "Free 1000 hours of AOL" stuff etc. etc.

[EdZ @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

Looks good. If my xtra ever breaks down, I'll probably go for this.

[Pip @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

Looks ugly as sin. Interface looks all blocky instead of round and smooth. Creative definitely need to hire someone with a degree in design aesthetics.

[Jack @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

Dave makes an excellent point about the Creative's dilution; they could really do with streamlining their lines and making a few spectacular players instead of a crapload of mostly uninspiring designs. Which is sad, because "Creative Zen" is a name and a phrase I love. I just wish the player was as cool as the name (iPods may be excellent players, depending on your tastes, but the name? Meh).

I'll wait until I can get my hands on one at the local electronics giant. I played around with a Zen Touch the other day, though, and very nearly fell in love with it. The main detraction of it for me is that the one I played with in Europe was stuck. For, like, a week straight.

On a sidenote- I very much enjoys Engadget erratic and random policy of comment deletion. Perhaps one must insult the other commentors, but be sycophants to the editors/contributors?

[mike @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

finally a creative player that looks worth buying, but... price?

The one advantage the zen touch had was that it was damn cheap. Will this player continue the tradition?

[chuck @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

just in time, creative! right when all ipods now ship with color screens! way to go! nobody is going to care about this thing when they can get an ipod with a color screen, photo library, better software, and better style for a little more money.

[narco @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

Yo, #25/Ralph Macchio (if that's your real name) -- I couldn't agree with you more. She's so quick to hand love out for free, but she just doesn't want to keep it in the family. A simple hug and a kiss on the cheek isn't enough for me.

Fishes,
narco.

[mike @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

How is this an iPod mini lookalike?

---------

Well, I have a Silver iPod mini.. and this thing looks very close.

Now, Creative, legally, cannot use the scroll wheel.. so they don't use it. But the rest is pretty much an iPod mini.. (can't use iTMS). now you see the brushed metal? Ahhh.. that's right.. that's exactly what the iPod mini uses.. In fact.. the real question is.. how is this NOT a rip off..

I already mentioned the legal shit theyd be in for using a clickwheel..

They have a blue screen.. er..and, the ear buds have a little gray part that says 'Creative'

Other than that, and some ugly, gray trim, it's an iPod mini..

Surprised? no.. but now i know what's keeping this company in business..

no marketing budget. no r/d.

[Brad @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

Gapless Playback???

[Jazzay @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

yea, because apple completely created Blue LCD screens and the use of brushed metal...

[Miker @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

NEWSFLASH: much of the iPod's popularity comes from its INTERFACE!

*gasp*

Which Creative still hasn't gotten right. The scroll pad on all Creative Players to date has been nothing short of pathetic by comparison of the iPod. And yeah, it is nothing short of pathetic. If they get it right, market it right, and add support as a USB drive (and the ability to be charged via USB is important) , things are looking good. Oh yes, and some decent jukebox software would help (just saying)

Until then, iPod Hataz shut up. Yes, it looks like the Mini, but it is different enough, and offers some original design elements to the mix.

[kyle @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

creative finally announces a worthy competitor for the (old) iPod two days after apple moves ipod to all color screens. for this to take any marketshare from the ipod, it needs to look good(which it undoubtedly does), have a lower price, and a killer marketing scheme simply to make people aware that the ipod is not the only dap out there.

[608zz @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

Miker knows what's up. Geeks and junior geeks will argue features to their last breath and still totally miss aspects like usability. If so-called Creative wants their player to be noticed, they'll have to make it notable. It'll have to be able to impress while it's sitting next to the iPod on the display table. This thing won't cut it and neither will those Rio players that the DAPreveiw dudes are always touting.


Bye bye, "Creative". I can't say I'm sad to see you go, considering your refusal to make your players UMS-compliant.

[egloskerry @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

For a player to be UMS compliant, it has to either use only filetree browsing, or have an ID3 database manual update feature like Archos players do.

Since major players like crApple, Creative, and Sony use tag browsing because of it apparently being "more intuitive", they'll have to really stick with using software to transfer music and add tags into the database at the same time, because apparently people don't want to bother with a manual update.

[Eric @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

Wow..... Do those headphones look familiar or what!!!!! I think Creative is trying to not only copy the whole iPod idea but yet they're coping the headphones too!!

[Anonymous @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

Creative has a bad habit of announcing products and shipping them 6 months later ... i hope it doesn't happen with this one despite the fact that they have half a billion dollars worth of MP3 inventory that they have to clear before selling this new model !!!

btw, sell your creative shares now .. its going for a dive soon !!

[Tres @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

Where can I find this? I can't find it on the creative website..or anywhere else or that matter.......

[GunForHire @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

Nice. If I can use this in the same way I use my MuVo^2, as a removable disk whose fle structure I can organise myself I mean, I'd definitely pick it up.

[oneighturbo @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

i've max'd out my Rio Karma and if Rio doesn't hurry up with a replacement, Creative might be in line next. This is sleek!

[TK @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

For once. This looks good. Lets see how they execute interface and software. Keep trying Creative, Apple needs the competition!

[K @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

The Sony HD-5 is way smaller, lighter and better looking than this.
8.9 x 5.6 x 1.4cm - 135 g

[egloskerry @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

The Sony is also a hell of a lot more expensive and has the ultra-horrible sonicstage software.

[Welly @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

This doesn't look a thing like an ipod. It couldn't look any less like an ipod. The ipod is recognisable from it's scroll wheel. This player doesn't have one, thus it doesn't look anything like an ipod (or ipod mini). I have a pioneer DVD player at home which is brushed metal and has a blue screen. Does this mean my Pioneer dvd player looks like an ipod? I think not. This zen sleek does not, I repeat, does NOT look like an ipod, despite being brushed metal and having a blue screen. Anyone who thinks it does is obviously blind.

[Elite @ Dec 19th 2005 1:01AM]

Ok....im just going to say it....Ipods, suck! Why go in a circle when you can go strait up or down? (Shortest distance to anything is a strait line right?) I used an ipod for 4 months and got tired of the thing because Itunes sucks, no wma, and just "ok" sound quality to me, and average battery life. Oh and of course all the dumbys at my work being like "woahhhh an ipod!!" But ooo wait all the ipods now have color screens, allthough noone notices that if u view photos on it, you get a ton less battery time. Anyways who wants to look at pictures while they listen to music? Everyone says "well the ipod is soooo small" Guess what? My zen touch is not much bigger, and i broke my ipod just droping it from about 3 feet, ive droped my touch like 10 times from 5 feet or more onto tile floor, and it has dents quarter an inch deep, and it still works. Thats why i have a zen touch, flash player dependablity, better, faster, interface for searching music, "touch to select" makes you be able to selct music freaking fast. Random button which is very cool. I like the hold switch more. Both a "back" and "menu" button. Battery life is longest of any player ( at least longer than an ipod)twice as much batter life. I really think it does look better than an ipod, expecially with that scratcy backside of it. Better sound quality. And when people say "woah is that the new ipod?" I can say no you dip its a zen touch.