Creative's 2GB / 4GB ZEN Mozaic DAP now available
By Darren Murph 
posted August 3rd 2008 10:06PM
posted August 3rd 2008 10:06PM
Creative got a bit more creative with the ZEN Mosaic's name since we spotted it in Singapore last month, but the freshly rechristened ZEN Mozaic is now available (and in stock, just to be exceptionally clear) in the US of A for your purchasing pleasure. For those seeking a brief refresher, here goes: there's a 1.8-inch display (160 x 128 resolution), up to 36 hours of audio playback / 5 hours of video playback, support for MP3 / WAV / WMA / JPEG / BMP files, a 5-band custom equalizer, calender / contacts / task list and USB 2.0 connectivity. The oddly designed DAP can be procured in both 2GB and 4GB flavors (but only in black, at least for now), with the former going for $59.99 and the latter $79.99.[Thanks, Oscar]
And as you so cleverly pointed out, better PMPs.
> "Apple only rules by momentum. Period. 7 years ago yes. They had the best of everything on the market. Their GUI is NO better then everyone else's. In point of fact it sucks ass."
I don't know what you are looking for in a GUI on a portable media player. Artist, Title, Song... you can't make it much different.
I'm an 8gb iPod Nano user... and I find the iPod's click-wheel fantastic. One wheel and one button. It's 0.26in thick. I've had mine for 2 years.
This Zen Mozaic has 9 buttons and is 0.5in thick. Progress?
Hi Creative
http://www.creative.com/products/mp3/
It's 2008. Perhaps we can see FLAC http://flac.sourceforge.net support before too long. Removable batteries and memory cards in this price range would be something welcome, too. In fact, they should be standard, like with mobile phones. The day of being limited to the storage you bought on your DAP needs to go. The day of being limited to a limited-life internal battery most users cannot replace without surgery needs to go, too.
Perhaps you can make your brand stand out from what most of the rest of the industry is doing in not only looks but functionality?
Do companies even attempt to compete with apple in terms of DAP's? Its like they all stand in a circle and see who can make the weirdest looking player just for fun because there is nothing else to do. At least Zune gave it a shot, but crashed and burned later.
iRiver
Cowon
Meizu
Sandisk
Samsung
Sony
...are some of those 'giving it a shot' and some of them are adding better codec support, native drag-n-drop, USB host, removable storage, among other things..
why the hell is ipod/apple mentioned in every frikkin media player...
iPods aren't that good if you haven't realized yet...
Creative has made some very nice products but u know, people go with the flow and whats in fashion (Apple)
The Zune is actually a pretty good product as well. It's actually gotten higher ratings than all the frikkin iPods...
but this design is just whack... If they think they'll make money out of this, good for them...and hope they do.
But its actually pretty nice seeing a new design other than something influenced by frikkin Apple.
yeah bro, it's totally whacked out, cuz.
oh yeah, creative blow if you haven't heard.
Excellent point, I totally agree with you! I HATE seeing designs influenced by Apple. I only want to see Apple's actual designs.
well Celine Dion sold at least 869 million records but she still sucks ass
and let's not bring up Kenny G or that certain no-talent ass clown
We're getting these highly-charged responses because it doesn't sit well with the engadget population's so-called design aesthetic. This is in contrast to this product perhaps receiving very little posts if it looked more 'normal'. ie. being virtually ignored.
Creative have made some good products but you wouldn't think it if you look at the responses.
I think they should be trying a bit harder but then again I think the market leader should be trying harder too. Things are so stagnant with most companies when it comes to audio. I'm not even talking about making the ultimate device for the price, but the basics... like removable flash, better codecs, better sound.
That would be possible if apple didn't want to lock it down.
Mosaic? For Censored Hentai lovers ONLY=FAIL
So why, other than its hideous appearance, should I buy this over an iPod?
Honestly, it looks interesting to me... From my personal experience, the MP3 players I've had have all been from Creative. The Zen Micro was alright, I wish my first hadn't been stolen. The MicroPhoto I got afterwards was okay, but it tended to glitch up a couple times. Currently, I have the ZEN, 16GB, and it's very nice- just wish I could figure out the password-protected content bit.
My first mp3 player was a Creative Zen Touch, which I was really happy with and it worked great, at least for a few years.
It ended up breaking a few months ago which wasn't so good but it was outdated anyways and I needed an upgrade, so I got a Zen 32GB. It's ok but its not brilliant: it scratches easily and it has some issues when powering up.
What I'd really love to see from creative is a high-end DAP, rather than PMP, with a lot of storage, X-Fi built in, small enough to fit in your pocket with ease and a long battery life. The fancy stuff like Wi-Fi and a large screen don't seem to matter too much with something like that. It would definately rival the iPod Classics and I'd get one without hesitation.
It looks okay to me, but doesn't look too modern. It looks better than the Sansa e250 series though. I hate itune software, but the hardwares are great.
I love my black Creative Zen. It doesn't need much improvement. This is a step down unfortunately.