Creative's ZenCast podcast solution

Today Creative announced their ZenCast Organizer. This Windows-based app manages audio and video blog content for Creative's Zen Vision and Vision:M players, much like the podcast function of Apple's iTunes. In addition to all the biggie, uh, podcasts like ESPN and oh, Engadget, users can also subscribe to content not included in the ZenCast site via a separate "subscribe" button. Sim Wong Hoo, outspoken chairman and CEO, says "you can even host your own show. ZenCast is like having a personal Internet TV broadcasting station, where anyone can create their own program and broadcast it to the world." A beta version of the ZenCast Organizer is available free today, so slap on a jacket, pull up a chair and remove your trousers 'cause now you too can video blog just like the pros.

[Via c|net Asia, Thanks Minghow]

[nick @ Jan 4th 2006 3:07PM]

interesting choice of name. they might have to compete with this guy.

[nick @ Jan 4th 2006 3:12PM]

oops. my link didn't work. this guy:

http://zencast.org

choosing a name where the first two and a half pages of google results are already taken by somebody with a product that uses the terminology you're trying to counter (podcast) is probably not the brightest idea.

[TheChaz @ Jan 4th 2006 3:15PM]

Dunno if you were implying otherwise, but iTunes can also subscribe to content that's not in iTMS. (Advanced menu => subscribe to podcast => enter the url.)

[dmek @ Jan 4th 2006 3:16PM]

That just makes me laugh.

[PocketNinja @ Jan 4th 2006 3:24PM]

Why has Apple not sued Creative silly? The menu design and now this "Zencast" thing, it is so obvious they are just taking Apple's ideas. Grrrrr....

[Ken @ Jan 4th 2006 3:26PM]

I hope this is run better and they actually listen to podcasters unline what iTunes/Apple has done for us already

[nikke73 @ Jan 4th 2006 3:28PM]

Where the he** did they get the name Creative? In the past two years, have they really created anything new? Please tell me, becouse I don't remember!

[Elliot @ Jan 4th 2006 3:34PM]

That's quite a war on Apple they're fighting. What's next, the "zenTunes Music Store"?

[Justin @ Jan 4th 2006 3:47PM]

PocketNinja, the whole idea of distributing audio with RSS was never Apple's idea. So if anything Creative is just jumping on the bandwagon with Apple and everyone else who now supports "podcasts." It may not be new or "creative," but they aren't stealing Apple's ideas this time.

[JLL @ Jan 4th 2006 3:54PM]

"Why has Apple not sued Creative silly? The menu design and now this "Zencast" thing, it is so obvious they are just taking Apple's ideas. Grrrrr...."



The podcast name is not Apple's idea at all - they are just not unhappy to use it :-)



I wonder what Sim Wong Hoo says when he wants an apple to eat - I would like a creative?

[Andrew Scott @ Jan 4th 2006 4:08PM]

Wait... Podcasts were not an Apple invention, it's what the noveau technorati described downloadable radio shows, to their iPods.



Back in the day my PMP300 would play stuff from http://www.retrogamingradio.com/ way before Apple fanatics decided to give credit to Steve Jobs et al.



All Creative are doing is giving their customers something to use with their players seeing as iPod owners have begun to believe the rumours that Steve Jobs invented the wheel, the lightbulb, the computer, the internet . . . . . . . . . .



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Podcasting

[Gordy @ Jan 4th 2006 4:26PM]

C'mon you Zen faithful. Flame away at the 'Mac Zealots'!



[crikets chirp]



Maybe they're all on some forum raving about Creative's announcements--or, they're making [or...um...renaming] their ZenCasts as we speak.



Coundn't resist. Delete away admins.

[Exilio @ Jan 4th 2006 4:36PM]

Creative is so pathetic..and isn't it ironic that a company named "creative" is anything but. Sad.

[south @ Jan 4th 2006 5:16PM]

What is the sound of one Creative fan clapping?

[Max @ Jan 4th 2006 6:09PM]

I actually use and LIKE Creative's Media Source line of applications and am HAPPY (YES! You heard it right) that they released this. I'm not a noob either, I just like the way it can play anything, looks pretty, is integrated with my soundcard (Audigy 4) and just the feel of it.

[got80s @ Jan 4th 2006 6:15PM]

I'm clapping...but not loudly. I love my Creative Zen Touch and I like Creative products. However, I have been rather pissed at their lack of accessories and support for their product lines. This Zencast thing is nifty and all (and probably could be done via opensource) but it pisses me off that they choose to only support the video versions of their players just because they have videocasts. Not everyone owns a freakin VideoZen..at least Apple iTunes when they launched their video player they didn't say f*%K all you customers with a silly little audio only players.

[F Wells @ Jan 4th 2006 6:49PM]

this is funny because whenever I have to explain to someone that they don't need an iPod to listen to a podcast I would always say 'they just call it that because noboody would know what you're talking about if you called it a zencast'.

[3284lmm @ Jan 4th 2006 9:21PM]

got80's,



If you actually used ZenCast you would know that you don't the Vision:m or the Vision and they aren't all videocasts. Anyways I have no problem with mediasource and it integrated nicely with my Zen micro and my audigy soundcard. Zen Cast has a very clean interface and its intuitive, good job Creative. I'll look forward to using the video casts when I go to get my Zen Vision:m. BTW, Creative isn't copying Apple, you want to know why Apple isn't sueing Creative? Because if they *tried Creative would counter sue the shi*t out of them (Apple copied Creatives UI). Also if you know anything about design, it took more than just a couple months to come up with a creation like the VIsion:m, don't be hating because the Ipod 5g is inferrior to it :)

[Max Fun @ Jan 5th 2006 9:00AM]

What kind of innovation has Apple had then? Adding video? Allowing you to create one playlist until you get reach your iTunes? Radio? Wait... Apple aint got that yet.

[Dudefella @ Jan 5th 2006 1:37PM]

To 19. Can you explain your post again for me?



Create one playlist until you get reach your iTunes? I'm confused. Are you talking about On the Go style playlists? iPod lets to you create one. Radio? Why in gods name do you want a radio on a portable HDD player? Radios are OBSOLETE. You have no control over what's played. The point of a portable media player is that YOU are in control of your media. Not someone else. So putting a radio in the unit is taking a step backwards in my opinion.



As for innovation... Who cares really. The only real claim to fame any company has is that Apple made them mainstream will great marketing, and a solid product. All this who did who debate is not worth it in the end. Who gives a hoot who created or innovated it? It benefits EVERYONE in the end since it drives competition and gives you the consumer more options.



Don't hate on Creative or Apple. They both have strong and weak-points, and both offer products that you might like or not like. You're entitled to your own opinions. This internet commando hatred BS is annoying and tiresome. It's time to evolve away from the keyboard hater and move into the adult phase of internet usage...