Creative's 16GB Zen V Plus makes an appearance

It's been quite awhile since we've heard from the Creative camp regarding its Zen V Plus PMP, which last got bumped to 8GB back in September of 2006, but it appears that the company has quietly rolled out a new 16GB version -- at least in some parts of the world. According to the Singaporean version of the Creative site, a 16GB model is available (but out of stock right now), and selling for $399.99 (SGD), which is around $263 at current exchange rates. Pretty much the exact same scenario played out during the last storage increase, so it's safe to assume we'll be seeing a new model around these parts sometime in the near future... right Creative?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

[Glazun @ Aug 2nd 2007 5:31PM]

16gigs is pretty cool, though I hate the Zen's new control system. :\

[Argot @ Aug 2nd 2007 5:37PM]

Is there an iPod case I can put this into if I buy it? I mean so thieves won't steal it.

[fahnboi @ Aug 2nd 2007 5:44PM]

atrollsayswhat?

[matt @ Aug 2nd 2007 5:49PM]

"aghhh its in a case, we cant touch that terrible things will happen.."

[Homeboy @ Aug 2nd 2007 5:50PM]

Not bad pricing at all and my guess is that all DAP manufacturers will be bumping up their 8GB devices to 16GB before the Holiday season starts. Then again it is pretty cool that Creative started the reign before Apple.

An SD-slot would be nice in order to increase the storage to 24GB. An 8GB SD-card doesn't cost any more than 80 dollars.

[matt @ Aug 2nd 2007 5:55PM]

that would technically create two partitions though wouldnt it? which would make it more difficult?

correct me if im wrong.

[Boo Boo @ Aug 2nd 2007 6:36PM]

@Matt:

The Sandisk Sansa already uses microSD memory with it's internal memory. Every time you turn it on, the Sansa creates a database, where it reads and logs the music on the microSD card, and integrates it with music on the internal memory. It takes my 8GB e280 with a 2GB microSD about 5-8 additional seconds on start-up, but then my ALL my music shows up upon browsing: the internal plus the microSD music. And it's all in one listing.

I'd imagine the Zen V+, if it had a SD card, would work this way.....

[db26 @ Aug 2nd 2007 6:08PM]

Now this actually looks like an MP3 player that I might be interested in buying...

[Zombie Dog @ Aug 2nd 2007 6:26PM]

Creative Labs Nomad Jukebox Zen V Plus 16GB.

That's quite a catchy product name.

[MatthewJ @ Aug 2nd 2007 6:36PM]

Unlike say, Apple Computers Incorporated Second Generation iPod Nano Portable Media Player 8Gb you mean? :D

[Boo Boo @ Aug 2nd 2007 6:45PM]

yep...too bad it's only called the Creative Zen V Plus....

[Blah @ Aug 2nd 2007 7:00PM]

When you have nothing to say about the product, i guess the last line of attack is the name scheme? That was well countered Boo Boo.

No one can deny this is impressive. Im a big creative fan, and quite frankly their previous line (Muvos, etc) were pretty crap. I like these new designs (I own a zen stone plus, which is great, but the battery life sucks) with the pebble like design scheme. And to be one of the big companies out there first with a 16gig flash player, they are setting a new bar. The price isnt too bad either. Once 32 gig is available, im on board, but right now, 16 gig isnt enough to hold my collection.


Apple has a little catching up to do. Doesnt matter, because their products are absolute crap anyways. Almost the same cost and the nano is 8 gigs smaller and doesnt play video? They lose this one, and quite frankly have lost all the others. There is always products better than Apple mp3 players out there, yet they are always seen as the best. I dont get where the false-flagship view came about for their products. Everything they make has a vastly superior product equivalent out there. Everything.

[Walken @ Aug 2nd 2007 7:07PM]

Blah, Apple will be releasing new Nanos very soon with 16 GB that play video. They will probably cost the same or less than this. Plus this Creative isn't even out in the US yet, so whatev.

[Amani576 @ Aug 2nd 2007 7:45PM]

@ Walken
Fanboy-ism much? You're giving Apple far too much credit. Apple can do all they want in terms of capacity and video life. But, they'll still lose in battery life, audio quality, shit-closed-laggy software, and their prices I doubt will ever drop too much. And even IF they do drop, spending a few extra bucks for a superior product (This, Cowon, Archos) is a very logical thing to do.
So... enough with the Apple Fanboy crap... nobody cares.
GR

[Zombie Dog @ Aug 2nd 2007 8:29PM]

Who said I was attacking the product? I own three Creative MP3 players (and have since 2000), and I will own more in the future... All of them are in the Creative Labs Nomad Jukebox Zen product line too (starting with the first Zen, BTW). I was respecting the products lineage in my comment, and I agree, this player looks like a winner too.

I can't stand Apple's UI (can't navigate it without looking at it- I love me some tactile buttons). The only thing the iPod has going for it is the unified dock adapter and almost complete market saturation in 3rd party peripherals. If they borrow the iPhone interface in the next gen iPod, that'll be a huge leap forward... but you still won't be able to navigate it without looking at it.

[generalpants @ Aug 2nd 2007 6:43PM]

Actually, the product is simply a Creative product (Creative Labs is the regional company name) and isn't a Nomad Jukebox. Though, earlier DAPs were sold under the Nomad or Jukebox names.

[JQuilty @ Aug 2nd 2007 7:43PM]

Looks good, although I won't be ditching my Zen Vision: M any time soon. I like the V Plus, but kind of wish they'd go back to a Microphoto form factor, sans the crappy screen.

[freemikekelly.org @ Aug 2nd 2007 7:47PM]

I'm very positive on Apple, but I love to see competition in the field. Hey its not the Zune at least. I would have to be really impressive for me to get that over an ipod though. I won't be in the market for a while since obtaining my iPhone, but hey, never know. Even Microsoft could impress me :holds breath:

[SteveMB @ Aug 2nd 2007 10:13PM]

Of course Apple copies Creative. They will have a 16GB player as well as Apple. It obviously won't be as cheap and won't be as good. 16GB is the perfect amount and I would love this player but I plan on getting the Meizu M8.

http://gearsofwarpc.com

[JQuilty @ Aug 2nd 2007 10:15PM]

You can use the iPod in Linux, too. Just use the package manager to get GTKPod.

[Skobbolop @ Aug 3rd 2007 4:38AM]

16 gig of flash IS cool... i'll give HDD players one year.... maybe two....

i'll stick with my iRiver clix though... it doesn't get any better than that..

[PEZ @ Aug 3rd 2007 7:26AM]

THIS IS GREAT! 16GB IS TWICE THE CAPACITY OF 8GB!

[Wolfticket @ Aug 3rd 2007 8:13AM]

16gb is actually getting towards the point when you can store your whole music collection on a tiny flash based player. WOOT!

[disciple83 @ Aug 3rd 2007 11:20AM]

Thank goodness for this upgrade. My ZVM battery is starting to die, and I find myself actually reducing the number of songs I listen to hear lately. What was once a pleasant 40GB of music has been dropped all the way down to 11GB. The ZVM is a phenomenal product, and I have been a believer in Creative's ability to develop solid gizmos since my Muvo 128MB when it first released. The ZV+ 16GB will be a perfect fit for me and my lite collection as well as anyone else looking to take a medium sized collection for a run worry-free of shock damage to moving parts. I had considered waiting for the Zune mini or whatever it is to come later this year, but I will be more than happy to wait for this one instead.

[threecheersfornick @ Aug 4th 2007 2:52PM]

Awesome. I love my zen v plus -- even though it's only 4 gigs.

[pegi @ Aug 20th 2007 1:31PM]

anyone have any idea when it will come out in the UK (and indeed, how much it will cost)? my 3g ipod has just gone kaput after 3.5 years of loyal service (and two manual battery changes)...don't want a new player to have a hard disk to go wrong but need more than 16gb. anyone know?

[ramboorider @ Oct 26th 2007 8:50AM]

I've been really happy with the four gig V plus. I'm all over the 16 gig (available as of now, from Creative anyway). It won't hold ALL of my music, but it'll hold everything I care about at any given time. I have a clunky old 30 gig Zen Nomad or whatever it was called and it holds everything and then some. But there's a lot of stuff on there I NEVER listen to. I was able to get a very usable subset of my collection on the 4 gb and was thinking 8 would be enough to feel like there were no major holes. At 16, I'll have plenty of redundant music on board. I'll probably never use the zen nomad again, with this much capacity.

I don't both with video though - this is strictly a music player.