Creative restores FM recording to its players

About a month ago, everyone was sad that Creative had removed the ability to record FM radio directly from its Zen MicroPhoto and Zen Vision:M (pictured) players. We even poured out a fo'ty in memoriam once we heard the news. However, Davin P, an observant reader (and we assume Zen owner), pointed out that today, Creative released an update to the firmware, version 1.60.01. This update restores FM recording, and adds the feature we've all been pining for, Greek language support. We'll be dancing the Tsamiko all weekend long to celebrate both additions.

[Thanks, Davin P.]

[DM @ Nov 17th 2006 8:57PM]

Creative ZVM. Still the best DAP out there.

[Havanahjoe @ Nov 17th 2006 8:57PM]

Cool! FM recording is back on mine. I don't use it but it's good to have it as an option, specially since it was part of the original offerings. A lot of people were holding back on the upgrade and missing on the improved speeds and stability because they didn't want to loose the option.

[DM @ Nov 17th 2006 9:17PM]

Creative zvm posts just lights up my day, keep it coming engadget.

[crescentdavid @ Nov 17th 2006 10:31PM]

This was in response to threats of lawsuits. You can't just willfully change the capabilities of a product you sell on the merits of its capabilities, no matter what the asswipe RIAA says. I was part of a nascent class action suit against these clowns.

Moral: don't screw with your customer base, especially if you don't have the law on your side. You'll just alienate your reason for existence and what will you be left with? Just those assholes from the RIAA.

[crescentdavid @ Nov 17th 2006 10:32PM]

This was in response to threats of lawsuits. You can't just willfully change the capabilities of a product you sell on the merits of its capabilities, no matter what the asswipe RIAA says. I was part of a nascent class action suit against these clowns.

Moral: don't screw with your customer base, especially if you don't have the law on your side. You'll just alienate your reason for existence and what will you be left with? Just those assholes from the RIAA.

[daviel @ Nov 17th 2006 10:32PM]

YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WOOT FOR CREATIVE!!!
i'm so happy!!!
so, does this update have the feature all us MicroPhoto owners have really wanted forver??? You know, VIDEO SUPPORT!!!
any day now, Creative!

[Shortpath @ Nov 18th 2006 12:50AM]

Was holding off on the upgrade, good news indeed.

[Paul D @ Nov 18th 2006 5:44AM]

Maybe Creative discovered that competing against Microsoft's Zune in the race to remove features and worsen the user experience was bound to be lost anyway.

[My @ Nov 18th 2006 3:05PM]

I can't find the link to Zen MicroPhoto firmware

[Mark @ Nov 18th 2006 8:52PM]

I don't see the updated MicroPhoto firmware either on Creative's website. Still has the old one that removes FM recording.

[quack @ Nov 18th 2006 5:54PM]

Thank you Creative, for doing the right thing.

[tekdroid @ Nov 18th 2006 7:48PM]

Creative sees its customers as more important than the RIAA? Will the wonders never cease! This had to be financially-motivated, like all things in business.

[Sooperman23 @ Nov 18th 2006 9:17PM]

Thats weird... my girlfriend's microPhoto has always had the FM recorder. Shes had it for close to 6 months. (no update was needed on her 8gb microPhoto)

[hypersonic @ Dec 2nd 2006 8:08AM]

Well done Creative!
It may also in part be the fact that Creative smelt the coffee & realised.... "Hold on.... the technical ability to be able to record the FM radio, is in itself NOT elligal!!! - F*CK OFF RIAA!!"