Creative's ZEN X-Fi2 touchscreen PMP now on sale
By Darren Murph 
posted Nov 8th 2009 3:37AM
posted Nov 8th 2009 3:37AM
Candidly speaking, we can't honestly envision too many of you fine folks running out and purchasing one of Creative's new ZEN X-Fi2 portable media players given the availability of such robust alternatives. That said, we'd be remiss of our duties if we didn't point out that the PMP which shocked us at IFA is now on sale directly from Creative. $129.99 buys you an 8GB model, while $179.99 nets you 16GB and $229.99 provides 32GB. We know -- that 3-inch LCD and integrated FM tuner look good from afar, but remember kids, it's all about the UI. [Thanks, Tyler]
No volume rocker = fail.
As much as I love my Zune HD, I refuse to buy another PMP without a physical volume rocker button. It really makes a big difference unless you enjoy taking it out of your pocket every 5 seconds, or if you're a black silhouette who dances with it in your hand.
I just checked the 360 degree pictures of the new Zens on their site, and there's no volume rocker pictured.
Le sigh.
I agree but you can push the rocker button and the just slide your finger up or down to change the volume. I also don't see why they didn't add a button the change the song since i do that more than the change the volume.
@feelingpoor
Its called shuffle..
feelingpoor:
That defeats the purpose of having a physical button.
Thought, volume rocker aside its a pretty good pmp no? I'm just looking but it seems to be pretty good value though...
I might think about getting it considering the values pretty good, opinions?
Still my 1st gen iPod Touch gently weeps.
i used to hate the fact that the zune didnt have a volume rocker, but i quickly adapted. Now i dont even have to look to change songs or volume
A physical button is probably one of the most important features on a Touch Screen player. There NEED to be easy access to volume on these players. Everyone had those instants where you start listening to your music and it blasts your ear. Prio to Touch Screen players, we had no problem quickly turning down the volume with physical buttons. You shouldn't have to push a fake volume rocker that bring up onscreen menu to do so. Apple made a mistake with the first gen iPod Touch and heard about it from its users.
I have a Zen 2. There is no volume rocker. Also the volume of the unit itself is not good. Too quiet. The playback quality however using flac through my cars speakers is amazing. The UI must be the worst part of the whole device. Its not intuitive and lacks basic controls in the music player such as being able to turn shuffle on and off without going back out of player and into settings.
mind you the quality does make up for the bad UI which hopefully will be improved!
@Stefan I had a review unit from Amazon, as a music player its pretty good; though the interface lets it down. The screen really is too slow to use in any haste. If you aren t a rabid anti apple fan then spend the extra to get an iPod touch if you are take a look at the Philips GoGear.
Here's the biggest question:
Is the sound quality any better than with the X-FI version 1?
"It's all about the UI" is (probably) true when talking about smartphones but taliking about PMP my opinion is that "It's all about the sound (and screen performance)"
While not the best, creative does generally have better than average sound quality.
Agreed, it most certainly is not "all about the UI" but functionality
You forget.
This is the iPod Touch generation. Audio quality takes a backseat to how many annoying things you can do in front of crowds of people.
Scratch that, Audio quality has to ride in the cargo tray of the Ute that is a PMP.
agreed. as long as the U is smooth, i dun mind getting it. ESP sinceit supports FLAC *drools*
I agree, with a PMP. it should be all about the Audio quality, Picture quality and format compatibility. I can't vouch for the picture quality, but it has the leading PMPs easily beat on the other two. Of course it probably isn't as good of a game machines.
@CJ
You are absolutely on point. As someone who used to be obsessed with getting the best sounding MP3 players, I used to absolutely hate iPods with a passion because of their sub par sound. However, they have finally reached an above average baseline in terms of sound quality now where you really have to be absolutely picky to complain (your average listener won't really be able to pick the difference). Of course, they're still clearly inferior to Cowon and Sony players.
I'm fighting off my urge to buy a Sony NW-A847 from Japan (as it's only available to the Japanese market).
Its a value-based PMP, it offers a great GB/dollar ratio among touch-screens of its size but dont expect a very fluid UI.
WTF Creative, we're still waiting for the Zii pmps
I still have my 32gb Creative Zen which is still going strong. I don't think I will be upgrading until there is a significant increase in capacity, plus I LOVE LOVE LOVE my Zen's dedicated "Album of the Day" (random album) button.
Why is this on here? This has been available since September. Check out Amazon.
Hmmh so fir $20 more u can buy iPod touch apple. Com. 3.5 inch screen sensors galore maps email n better crafsmanship n missing 100k apps. I wonder what will fail n what will be a major success. Crattives only chance here would of been to price at $75..nice try.
No iphonekiller here.
Would have loved to see Android on this.
"We know -- that 3-inch LCD and integrated FM tuner look good from afar, but remember kids, it's all about the UI."
Er... when I buy an mp3 player, several factors are important to me, certainly including UI. But there are others too... like, you know, erm, sound quality? (Not saying that this is a creative strong point or anything). But I guess for a site that has relentlessly supported all of apple's mp3 players despite, what in more discerning circles, has often been described as far from class leading sound quality and very poor bundled ear buds, then yeah, I guess it's all about the UI....
Just another "creative" piece of junk. why not pay a little more and get the Zune HD?
I'm still having nightmares with that IFA video