Engadget http://www.engadget.com Engadget http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.engadget.com/media/feedlogo.gif Engadget http://www.engadget.com en-us Copyright 2012 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[ZiiLabs outs dual-core ZMS-20 and quad-core ZMS-40 for Honeycomb tablets, clocks 'em at 1.5GHz]]>http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/11/ziilabs-outs-dual-core-zms-20-and-quad-core-zms-40-chips-for-hon/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/11/ziilabs-outs-dual-core-zms-20-and-quad-core-zms-40-chips-for-hon/http://www.engadget.com/2011/05/11/ziilabs-outs-dual-core-zms-20-and-quad-core-zms-40-chips-for-hon/#comments For now, the HTC Flyer can console itself for not having a second core (like all the other guys) by noting that its 1.5GHz clock speed is faster than any other tablet. Pretty soon, however, the choice between speed and core count might not have to be made at all, as ZiiLabs has just announced new dual-core and quad-core ARM Cortex-A9 systems-on-chip that run at the same 1500MHz speed as the Flyer. Dubbed ZMS-20 and ZMS-40, respectively, they're taking the ZMS-08 legacy of focusing on HD video decoding even further, while also throwing in specific optimizations for Android Honeycomb tablets. The earlier-gen SOC was only picked up by parent company Creative, who inserted it in its ZiiO tablets, so let's hope the new silicon proves compelling enough for us to see it in more manufacturers' slates. Full PR and an intro video follow after the break.

Continue reading ZiiLabs outs dual-core ZMS-20 and quad-core ZMS-40 for Honeycomb tablets, clocks 'em at 1.5GHz

ZiiLabs outs dual-core ZMS-20 and quad-core ZMS-40 for Honeycomb tablets, clocks 'em at 1.5GHz originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 11 May 2011 04:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidannouncedarmcomponentcomponentscortex-a9creativedual-corehardwareprocessorquad-coresocsystem-on-chiptablettabletsvideoziiziilabszmszms-20zms-40Wed, 11 May 2011 04:19:00 EST<![CDATA[Creative ZiiEagle Movie Box promises 3,000 years of Chinese culture in one sleek burgundy package]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/15/creative-ziieagle-movie-box-promises-3-000-years-of-chinese-cult/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/15/creative-ziieagle-movie-box-promises-3-000-years-of-chinese-cult/http://www.engadget.com/2010/12/15/creative-ziieagle-movie-box-promises-3-000-years-of-chinese-cult/#comments So just what is the Creative ZiiEagle Movie Box? What exactly do you get from this? Here's what we've gathered:
  • A set-top box featuring 668 movies from Celestial's Shaw Brothers Film Collection.
  • "3,000 years of Chinese culture and secrets of the much elusive 'Confucian thing.'"
  • A price tag -- 888 Singapore dollars ($676 in US currency) -- that "solves the perennial video piracy problem in one stroke."
  • The reason for that awesome picture above to exist.
Singapore, consider yourself enlightened, and consider your days of video piracy officially numbered.

Creative ZiiEagle Movie Box promises 3,000 years of Chinese culture in one sleek burgundy package originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 15 Dec 2010 15:23:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinachinesecreativemovie boxMovieBoxshaw brothersShawBrothersziizii eaglezii eagle movie boxZiiEagleZiiEagleMovieBoxWed, 15 Dec 2010 15:23:00 EST<![CDATA[Creative's 7-inch ZiiO tablet hits the FCC, ripped into component circuitry]]>http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/24/creatives-7-inch-ziio-tablet-hits-the-fcc-ripped-into-componen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/24/creatives-7-inch-ziio-tablet-hits-the-fcc-ripped-into-componen/http://www.engadget.com/2010/11/24/creatives-7-inch-ziio-tablet-hits-the-fcc-ripped-into-componen/#comments Creative hasn't gone public with a US release window for its Ziio tablets, but it's probably only a matter of time -- the 7-inch model arrived at the FCC this week, complete with user manual and lovely snapshots of its innards all laid out. There's no mistaking that ZiiLABS ZMS-08 system-on-a-chip front and center, flanked by four slabs of NAND flash from Hynix Semiconductor, and in the upper left-hand corner you can even see the AzureWave chip responsible for its 802.11 b/g WiFi connectivity and Bluetooth functions. None of this simple beauty can make up for the fact that a resistive touchscreen is calling all the shots, but battery life should be relatively long -- FCC documentation describes a chunky 5,000mAh lithium-ion cell, images of which are below. Also pictured: the FCC squishing the poor device into copious amounts of styrofoam.

Gallery: Creative's 7-inch ZiiO tablet at the FCC

Creative's 7-inch ZiiO tablet hits the FCC, ripped into component circuitry originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 24 Nov 2010 22:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidandroid tabletAndroidTabletAzureWaveCreativeCreative ZiiOCreativeZiioFCCtablettablet pcTabletPcteardownteardown treatmentteardownsTeardownTreatmentZiiZiiLabsZiiOZiiO 7Ziio7ZMS-08Wed, 24 Nov 2010 22:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo trademarks 'Zii' over in Japan, Creative is like 'zaywha?']]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/15/nintendo-trademarks-zii-over-in-japan-creative-is-like-zaywh/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/15/nintendo-trademarks-zii-over-in-japan-creative-is-like-zaywh/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/15/nintendo-trademarks-zii-over-in-japan-creative-is-like-zaywh/#comments Here's an interesting one. Siliconera has dug up what it claims to be a Japanese trademark for the term "Zii," and contrary to what you may expect, the application wasn't filed by Creative. We double checked the database, and sure enough, the paperwork went through on October 30th -- which almost certainly means that this was more than just some day-late attempt to fend off the next-generation of KIRF Wii consoles. There's obviously no way to tell what the Big N has in mind here, nor if this will cause any kind of friction between it and Creative, but we'll certainly be keeping an ear to the ground for more. Who knows -- maybe the Zii is that HD Wii we've all been clamoring for since November of 2006. Or maybe it's nothing at all.

Update: We've done a bit more digging, and it looks as if this here filing may simply be a renewal of a 2006 trademark request. Moreover, we've found Nintendo trademarks in Japan for Cii, Bii, Oii and Yii, so it seems the company may just be on some sort of rampage in order to cover its tracks in one form or another.

Nintendo trademarks 'Zii' over in Japan, Creative is like 'zaywha?' originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 15 Dec 2009 08:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conflictconsolecreativecreative ziiCreativeZiifightgame consoleGameConsolegaminggaming consoleGamingConsoleissuejapanjapaneselegalNintendonintendo ziiNintendoZiipatentpmptrademarkziiTue, 15 Dec 2009 08:25:00 EST<![CDATA[Zii Trinity's HD playback gets a quick and promising look]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/06/zii-trinitys-hd-playback-gets-a-quick-and-promising-look/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/06/zii-trinitys-hd-playback-gets-a-quick-and-promising-look/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/06/zii-trinitys-hd-playback-gets-a-quick-and-promising-look/#comments It's over far too quickly, but in the video after the break, what you get to see is how well the Zii Trinity mobile prototype handles outputting HD video -- in this case, a very smooth playback of a snippet from Wall-E. Can we express more excitement for Creative's little platform that could? Probably, but we're already reaching pretty high. Now if only we could get some hands-on time of our own...

Zii Trinity's HD playback gets a quick and promising look originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 06 Dec 2009 02:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1080 p1080Pcreativehdtrinityziizii trinityZiiTrinitySun, 06 Dec 2009 02:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Zii Trinity smartphone concept handled on video]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/zii-trinity-smartphone-concept-handled-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/zii-trinity-smartphone-concept-handled-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/03/zii-trinity-smartphone-concept-handled-on-video/#comments It's an all too brief look, but it's infinitely more than we've seen so far. CNET Asia has managed some hands-on time the Zii Trinity concept smartphone. Quite a looker, and here we also get a glimpse of it next to the good ol' Zii Egg. As noted by the narrator, the bottom proprietary slot can be swapped for microUSB or mini-HDMI, there's a notably-sized 5 megapixel camera on the back, as well as one on the front for video conferencing. Enough talk, take a gander for yourself after the break.

[Thanks, kumar]

Continue reading Zii Trinity smartphone concept handled on video

Zii Trinity smartphone concept handled on video originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>conceptconcept phoneConceptPhonecreativemedia phonemedia playerMediaPhoneMediaPlayermini hdmimini-hdmiMiniHdmiphoneplaszmaproto typeProtoTypesmart phoneSmartPhonestem cellstem cell computingStemCellStemCellComputingtrinityziizii labszii lifezii summitZiiLabsZiiLifeZiiSummitzms 05zms 08zms-05zms-08Zms05Zms08Thu, 03 Dec 2009 22:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Zii Trinity mobile platform packs 1080p punch, looking for OEM love]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/01/zii-trinity-mobile-platform-packs-1080p-punch-looking-for-oem-l/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/01/zii-trinity-mobile-platform-packs-1080p-punch-looking-for-oem-l/http://www.engadget.com/2009/12/01/zii-trinity-mobile-platform-packs-1080p-punch-looking-for-oem-l/#comments Ready to start lusting after a new smartphone? If Creative has its way, you'll soon be enjoying Full HD video on a 3.5 / 4G device, with built-in WiFi, 5 megapixel autofocus camera, accelerated 3D graphics, and mini-HDMI and Composite video outputs. The newly announced 3.1-inch, multitouch-capable Zii Trinity has been designed by Creative subsidiary Ziilabs, and will be licensed out to clients who'll be able to customize a Zii-optimized Android install and Plaszma interface. As if we haven't got enough smartphone ecosystems knocking about already, this also marks the introduction of ZiiLife, which aims to be both a content delivery and productivity suite. Powered by the ARM-based ZMS-05 or ZMS-08, the new handset actually seems destined to perform plenty of KIRF and grey market duties, judging by Creative's "strategic partnerships" with Chinese manufacturers, but that might be no bad thing as, according to Gartner, the grey market is booming right now.

Zii Trinity mobile platform packs 1080p punch, looking for OEM love originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1080p3.5g4gandroidbreaking newsBreakingNewscompositeconcept phoneConceptPhonecreativemedia phonemedia playerMediaPhoneMediaPlayermini hdmimini-hdmiMiniHdmiplaszmaprototypesmartphonestem cell computingStemCellComputingtrinityziizii lifezii summitzii trinityziilabsZiiLifeZiiSummitZiiTrinityzms-05zms-08Tue, 01 Dec 2009 05:14:00 EST<![CDATA[Creative to show off 'Zii Android mobile phone' next month at Chinese summit]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/15/creative-to-show-off-zii-android-mobile-phone-next-month-at-ch/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/15/creative-to-show-off-zii-android-mobile-phone-next-month-at-ch/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/15/creative-to-show-off-zii-android-mobile-phone-next-month-at-ch/#comments We've been saying all along that we'd love nothing more than to see someone throw a 3G chip into Creative's Zii Egg and sell it as a pretty strong smartphone, but so far we've been hit with little to no indication of interested parties making that happen. So when we spot phrases like "Zii Optimized Android Phone platform" and "the line-up of devices on display includes a Mobile Phone platform" on an informational site for the ZiiLABS Showcase happening early December in China, our interested are definitely piqued. The event is geared towards companies who'd like to use the Plaszma platform for their products, and with any luck, some debonair decision-maker will give Zii phone a chance.

[Via myCreative Fansite; thanks, Kyle]

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Creative to show off 'Zii Android mobile phone' next month at Chinese summit originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcell phoneCellPhonecreativeeggmobilephoneplaszmasmart phoneSmartPhoneziiSun, 15 Nov 2009 17:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Creative to show off 'Zii Android mobile phone' next month at Chinese summit]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/15/creative-to-show-off-zii-android-mobile-phone-next-month-at-ch/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/15/creative-to-show-off-zii-android-mobile-phone-next-month-at-ch/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/15/creative-to-show-off-zii-android-mobile-phone-next-month-at-ch/#comments We've been saying all along that we'd love nothing more than to see someone throw a 3G chip into Creative's Zii Egg and sell it as a pretty strong smartphone, but so far we've been hit with little to no indication of interested parties making that happen. So when we spot phrases like "Zii Optimized Android Phone platform" and "the line-up of devices on display includes a Mobile Phone platform" on an informational site for the ZiiLABS Showcase happening early December in China, our interested are definitely piqued. The event is geared towards companies who'd like to use the Plaszma platform for their products, and with any luck, some debonair decision-maker will give Zii phone a chance.

[Thanks, Kyle]

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Creative to show off 'Zii Android mobile phone' next month at Chinese summit originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 15 Nov 2009 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcell phoneCellPhonecreativeeggphoneplaszmasmart phoneSmartPhoneziiSun, 15 Nov 2009 17:27:00 EST<![CDATA[ZiiLABS ZMS-08 offers Cortex A8-powered Full HD and Flash acceleration for netbooks]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/09/ziilabs-zms-08-offers-cortex-a8-powered-full-hd-and-flash-accele/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/09/ziilabs-zms-08-offers-cortex-a8-powered-full-hd-and-flash-accele/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/09/ziilabs-zms-08-offers-cortex-a8-powered-full-hd-and-flash-accele/#comments We haven't even seen the Zii EGG make its long-anticipated consumer debut yet, but Creative is already building up steam for its next Zii venture. ZiiLABS' ZMS-08 is a third generation mobile media accelerator / system-on-a-chip that boasts its predecessor's 1080p playback and 24fps encoding, and HD video conferencing via simultaneous 720p encoding and decoding, while adding all-new OpenGL ES 2.0 support, an integrated HDMI controller, X-Fi audio and Flash acceleration. Paired to a 1GHz ARM Cortex A8, and running a custom flavor of Android alongside Plaszma OS, the new Zii chip will look for homes in "web tablets, netbooks, connected TVs" and the like, but seemingly not smartphones. ZiiLABS has already signed up a number of clients, who'll start receiving shipments in Q1 of 2010. Full PR and an architectural diagram after the break.

Continue reading ZiiLABS ZMS-08 offers Cortex A8-powered Full HD and Flash acceleration for netbooks

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ZiiLABS ZMS-08 offers Cortex A8-powered Full HD and Flash acceleration for netbooks originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1080p720padobe flashAdobeFlasharmARM Cortex A8ArmCortexA8chipsetcortex a8CortexA8creativeflashflash accelerationFlashAccelerationfull hdFullHdhandheldslaptopsmidnetbooksopenglopengl es 2.0OpenglEs2.0processing chipProcessingChipprocessorstemcell computingStemcellComputingsystem on a chipsystem-on-chipSystemOnAChiptabletsziiziilabszms-08Mon, 09 Nov 2009 05:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Creative Zii EGG Android build demoed on video]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/02/creative-zii-egg-android-build-demoed-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/02/creative-zii-egg-android-build-demoed-on-video/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/02/creative-zii-egg-android-build-demoed-on-video/#comments We're still not entirely sure what Creative has planned for the Zii, but things appear to be going according to plan: as promised, an Android 1.6 installer for the Zii EGG developer unit was released today. Things are still pretty rough, however -- the camera doesn't work, and leftover bits of phone code like the signal strength icon are still present. We're guessing that means we're still ages away from seeing anything resembling a consumer device come out of all this, but let's hope this is the first step towards a whole slew of kickin' Android-powered KIRF devices. Video after the break.

[Thanks, Yuki]

Continue reading Creative Zii EGG Android build demoed on video

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Creative Zii EGG Android build demoed on video originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 02 Nov 2009 19:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidandroid 1.6android ziiAndroid1.6AndroidZiicreativedeveloperportable audioportable videoportableaudioportablevideovideoziizii androidzii eggZiiAndroidZiiEggMon, 02 Nov 2009 19:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Zii MediaBook UI video explains very little]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/01/zii-mediabook-ui-video-explains-very-little/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/01/zii-mediabook-ui-video-explains-very-little/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/01/zii-mediabook-ui-video-explains-very-little/#comments Somebody apparently managed to get a camera up during Creative's presentation of its upcoming Zii Mediabook e-reader, but unfortunately the UI mockup that was demonstrated on screen is hardly standard (no hints of Android, for instance), and it's hard to separate proposed UI elements from flashy video transitions. If there's anything to take away, it seems that the device has an edge to edge screen, and is heavily touch and gesture based on a very custom-seeming GUI. One thing that happens repeatedly in the video is that a bit of text is highlighted, and then when it's "flicked" up it shoots out as a web page or a video or what have you -- seems like an odd way to go about things, but it at least demonstrates that Creative isn't just working on any old e-book reader here. Hit up the read link for the vid.

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Zii MediaBook UI video explains very little originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 01 Nov 2009 14:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creativeebookebook readerEbookReaderereadermediabookziizii mediabookZiiMediabookSun, 01 Nov 2009 14:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Creative working on Zii-based MediaBook with color touchscreen, e-book slant]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/01/creative-working-on-zii-based-mediabook-with-color-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/01/creative-working-on-zii-based-mediabook-with-color-touchscreen/http://www.engadget.com/2009/11/01/creative-working-on-zii-based-mediabook-with-color-touchscreen/#comments What's an e-book without the e-ink? So very much, according to Creative, who just dropped word of an upcoming "MediaBook" device (which will undoubtedly look nothing like this mockup above). It sounds a bit more like a PMP to us, with "video, pictures, text and services," and a "media-rich experience" on the table, but Creative is also apparently working with publishers for content, with an obvious emphasis in Singapore sources, where Creative already does e-learning work. There's no word of what it'll look like, but it'll be a large touchscreen of some sort, so it sounds like we've got another slate on our hand. Any differentiation might come from having Zii under the hood and Creative's own particular approach to content for this device, but there's not really enough to get excited about at this point.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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Creative working on Zii-based MediaBook with color touchscreen, e-book slant originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 01 Nov 2009 02:50:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creativee-booke-book readerE-bookReadere-readerebookebook readerEbookReaderportable audioportable videoportableaudioportablevideoziiSun, 01 Nov 2009 02:50:00 EST<![CDATA[Zii Egg Android installer arrives next week, consumer devices nowhere in sight]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/16/zii-egg-android-installer-arrives-next-week-consumer-devices-no/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/16/zii-egg-android-installer-arrives-next-week-consumer-devices-no/http://www.engadget.com/2009/10/16/zii-egg-android-installer-arrives-next-week-consumer-devices-no/#comments Zii hopefuls will be pleased to hear that ZiiLABS is releasing the Android installer "next week." The tweeted update means that developers with the Zii EGG will have the chance to get friendly with Google's droid as Creative's project attempts to walk our for retail on something other than its homegrown Plaszma OS. While this would have made stellar headlines in early 2009, at this point, with Microsoft and Apple both offering a stunning pair of dedicated, full-screen media devices, and a shedload of media-capable Android-based phones now hitting the market, well, it all seems to be too little and much too late for Creative. But if its only intention is to serve as the foundation for China's KIRF market then why should we care anyway?

[Thanks, Jonathan K.]

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Zii Egg Android installer arrives next week, consumer devices nowhere in sight originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 16 Oct 2009 04:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>AndroidMarketcreativedevelopergray marketGrayMarketkirfziizii eggzii labsZiiEggZiiLabsFri, 16 Oct 2009 04:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Creative Zii EGG gets firmware updated to 92.02, still looks pretty janky]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/16/video-creative-zii-egg-gets-firmware-updated-to-92-02-still-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/16/video-creative-zii-egg-gets-firmware-updated-to-92-02-still-lo/http://www.engadget.com/2009/09/16/video-creative-zii-egg-gets-firmware-updated-to-92-02-still-lo/#comments
Creative's just rolled out a firmware update -- version 92.02, if you're counting -- for developers of the Zii EGG. The updates include adding support for media playback on the SD card, a 3D close line effect for when you're browsing in landscape view, plus a stretching effect for browsing lists. The sample shots taken with its camera look pretty decent, and in the video which is after the break, you can catch a look at both the close line and stretching effect -- the latter of which we think has some potential to be useful, even if it's all still looking a bit rough around the edges for now. Like we said, the video is after the break -- hit the read link for test shots.

Continue reading Video: Creative Zii EGG gets firmware updated to 92.02, still looks pretty janky

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Video: Creative Zii EGG gets firmware updated to 92.02, still looks pretty janky originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 16 Sep 2009 17:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creativecreative zii eggCreativeZiiEggeggfirmwarefirmware updateFirmwareUpdateupdatevideoziizii eggZiiEggWed, 16 Sep 2009 17:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Creative Zii EGG development kit gets a second look]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/30/video-creative-zii-egg-development-kit-gets-a-second-look/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/30/video-creative-zii-egg-development-kit-gets-a-second-look/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/30/video-creative-zii-egg-development-kit-gets-a-second-look/#comments We already know the Creative Zii EGG development edition is shipping out to eager hands, but for the even more eager eyes out there, the folks at Anything But iPod managed some pretty nice, well-lit HD video to give another illustration of how the hardware will look and feel. The narrator is quick on multiple occasions to remind viewers it's an early build running on Creative's Plazma OS only (no Android yet) and he takes issue with the feel of the thin film of plastic on the touchscreen, but that and slow load times notwithstanding, the device is looking mighty impressive. Pictures through the read link, and mosey on past the break for digital peep show.

[Thanks, Mathieu]

Continue reading Video: Creative Zii EGG development kit gets a second look

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Video: Creative Zii EGG development kit gets a second look originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 30 Aug 2009 21:41:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creativecreative ziicreative zii eggCreativeZiiCreativeZiiEggdev editiondev kitDevEditiondevelopment editiondevelopment kitDevelopmentEditionDevelopmentKitDevKiteggplazmaplazma osPlazmaOsportable audioportable videoportableaudioportablevideoziizii eggZiiEggSun, 30 Aug 2009 21:41:00 EST<![CDATA[Creative Zii EGG orders shipped, hands-on videos posted]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/28/creative-zii-egg-orders-shipped-hands-on-videos-posted/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/28/creative-zii-egg-orders-shipped-hands-on-videos-posted/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/28/creative-zii-egg-orders-shipped-hands-on-videos-posted/#comments
It looks like somebody's Zii EGG orders have shipped, and we got the video to prove it. A staff member named DaHarder over at the DAP Review forums has just received one of the lusted-after devices, and luckily for us he's given it the ol' hands-on treatment and posted the evidence for our perusal. "The screen," he says, compares "very favorably" with the S Series Walkman, with colors described as bright and vibrant, even if the blacks leave something to be desired. And how about sound? He rates it as being "the best sounding Creative player" he's heard yet, "and that's without any EQ/Z-Fi etc." Not too shabby for a development model, eh? But that ain't all -- peep the videos after the break, and then hit the read link to jump in on the conversation your own self.

[Via DAP Review]

Continue reading Creative Zii EGG orders shipped, hands-on videos posted

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Creative Zii EGG orders shipped, hands-on videos posted originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 28 Aug 2009 14:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcreativeegghands-onimpressionsplazmaplazma osPlazmaOsportable audioportable videoportableaudioportablevideoshippingstem cellstem cell computingStemCellStemCellComputingziizii eggZiiEggFri, 28 Aug 2009 14:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Zii EGG SDK roadmap revealed, some important features not coming until end of year]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/zii-egg-sdk-roadmap-revealed-some-important-features-not-coming/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/zii-egg-sdk-roadmap-revealed-some-important-features-not-coming/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/26/zii-egg-sdk-roadmap-revealed-some-important-features-not-coming/#comments Remember back when Sony introduced Rolly to stunned silence followed by a protracted effort to determine exactly what the hell it was, an effort that arguably continues to this very day? Yep, that's kind of where we're at right now with the Zii EGG, and nothing in the SDK documentation we've received today -- the same documentation paying developers are just now getting -- is helping us flesh that out. We can tell you that it's well-equipped -- there are proximity sensors and accelerometers on board, it's got native support for Flash Lite, voice recognition, and 3D acceleration and it'll eventually have support for Creative's X-Fi audio tech -- but really, that's like saying "the Rolly is well-equipped." What does it mean?

Here's what we do know: out of the gate, it seems the EGG will only be running Creative's homegrown Plaszma OS, though Android support is forthcoming. The Plaszma SDK is being rolled out in three phases spanning the rest of 2009, and some pretty important stuff -- Bluetooth support, for example -- won't even be available to developers until the third phase, which is a pretty strong indication that Zii-powered products intended for consumer consumption probably won't be around in time for the holidays. For the moment, there isn't any indication on when devs will have access to Android support libraries, which we think might be where Zii's true value lies, because let's be honest -- the world realistically doesn't need another target platform for mobile.

Interestingly, Creative is using Zii to actively target China-based devs that it says "may not have brands but have an insatiable appetite for ready-to-go technologies, and can adapt these technologies very quickly to new market opportunities" (in other words, KIRFers) through its "Shanzai program," a mix of prototype boards and support packages that it says will help small businesses bring products to market faster. If that means we can get the next great N97 clone running Android in record time, we're all for it. Check out the full Plaszma SDK roadmap in the gallery below.

[Thanks, Joe]

Gallery: Zii EGG SDK roadmap revealed, some important features not coming until end of year

plaszma-roadmap-1plaszma-roadmap-2plaszma-roadmap-3plaszma-roadmap-4

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Zii EGG SDK roadmap revealed, some important features not coming until end of year originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 26 Aug 2009 19:37:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creativecreative labscreative ziicreative zii eggCreativeLabsCreativeZiiCreativeZiiEggeggplaszmaplaszma osplaszma os sdkplaszma sdkPlaszmaOsPlaszmaOsSdkPlaszmaSdksdkziizii eggZiiEggWed, 26 Aug 2009 19:37:00 EST<![CDATA[Creative Zii EGG orders being processed, will ship by the end of the month]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/24/creative-zii-egg-orders-being-processed-will-ship-by-the-end-of/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/24/creative-zii-egg-orders-being-processed-will-ship-by-the-end-of/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/24/creative-zii-egg-orders-being-processed-will-ship-by-the-end-of/#comments We still don't know what to make of Creative's Zii EGG and "stem cell computing" but it looks like we'll be getting our first answers relatively soon -- pre-order customers are being charged and told units will ship by the end of the month. As an added bonus, Creative is apparently including a free HD-out cable in these early deliveries, but we don't know if these are being pre-loaded with Android or that Plazma OS. Anyone else join the early adopter club?

[Thanks, Joe]

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Creative Zii EGG orders being processed, will ship by the end of the month originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 24 Aug 2009 18:22:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcreativeeggplazmaplazma osPlazmaOsportable audioportable videoportableaudioportablevideostem cellstem cell computingStemCellStemCellComputingziizii eggZiiEggMon, 24 Aug 2009 18:22:00 EST<![CDATA[Creative patent filing reveals drag and drop interface with "action tabs"]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/10/creative-patent-filing-reveals-drag-and-drop-interface-with-act/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/10/creative-patent-filing-reveals-drag-and-drop-interface-with-act/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/10/creative-patent-filing-reveals-drag-and-drop-interface-with-act/#comments
Creative's made itself pretty well acquainted with the FCC as of late, and it looks like it's also been doing its part to keep the old Patent and Trademark Office busy as well, with a recently revealed application showing off some plans for a drag and drop touchscreen interface. That's obviously somewhat of a tricky area to patent, but it seems that Creative's big new idea is something called "action tabs" that could be used for something as simple as tabbed web browsing, but would apparently also be applied to other OS elements as well -- letting you drag something to the clipboard, for instance, or drag a photo to an action item of some sort. Just as interesting as the patent itself, however, is the fact that it's assigned to Creative subsidiary 3DLABS, now known as ZiiLABS, makers of the touchscreen-based Zii EGG. Like we said, interesting.

[Via Tech in Hiding]

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Creative patent filing reveals drag and drop interface with "action tabs" originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 10 Aug 2009 12:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dlabscreativepatentpatent applicationpatent filingPatentApplicationPatentFilingtouchscreenziizii eggZiiEggziilabsMon, 10 Aug 2009 12:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Creative Zii EGG gutted for expanded FCC report]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/05/creative-zii-egg-gutted-for-expanded-fcc-report/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/05/creative-zii-egg-gutted-for-expanded-fcc-report/http://www.engadget.com/2009/08/05/creative-zii-egg-gutted-for-expanded-fcc-report/#comments Now that the cat's out of the bag on Creative's Android-powered Zii EGG, the FCC has gone ahead and released its full report on the touchscreen handheld, after giving us a teaser early last month. Now online are external and internal photos, for the gadget fiend who likes to see products gutted, and a user guide that conspicuously fails to mention its "Android" or "Plaszma" platforms at any point in the guide. Maybe it's wishful thinking, but we've got hope someone can cram a 3G chipset in that array of circuitry. Hop on through the read link to peruse the expanded report for yourself.

[Via epiZENter]

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Creative Zii EGG gutted for expanded FCC report originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 05 Aug 2009 16:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcreativecreative ziicreative zii eggCreativeZiiCreativeZiiEggeggplaszmaziizii eggZiiEggWed, 05 Aug 2009 16:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Zii EGG prototype gets a hands-on demonstration]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/30/zii-egg-prototype-gets-a-hands-on-demonstration/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/30/zii-egg-prototype-gets-a-hands-on-demonstration/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/30/zii-egg-prototype-gets-a-hands-on-demonstration/#comments
Our interest was fairly piqued last week when Creative officially unveiled the Zii Egg handheld which we'd seen earlier at the FCC. Details are still a bit vague in some areas, but we know that the Zii Egg is really aiming at developers for its "Plaszma" platform. The Zii Egg also runs Android, though will not come pre-installed on the device instead coming as a download once the device is shipping. CNET Asia just got a chance to have a sit down with a pre-production model of the handheld, and here's what we're noticing in the video. The hardware, which looks pretty great, doesn't look very heavy or substantial to us -- which is not to say it looks cheap. The 10-point multitouch capacitive touchscreen was not operable at the time of the demonstration, but it sure sounds promising, and there also wasn't any real display of the software or applications as of yet. It looks like Creative will be filling its pre-orders for the Zii Egg in the second half of August, so we don't have too long to wait to see what this thing is all about. Hit the read link for the video.

Continue reading Zii EGG prototype gets a hands-on demonstration

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Zii EGG prototype gets a hands-on demonstration originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Jul 2009 11:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcreativecreative ziicreative zii eggCreativeZiiCreativeZiiEggegghands-onplaszmaplaszma platformPlaszmaPlatformportable audioportable videoportableaudioportablevideoziizii eggZiiEggThu, 30 Jul 2009 11:52:00 EST<![CDATA[Video: Creative Zii EGG 3D gaming demo]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/video-creative-zii-egg-3d-gaming-demo/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/video-creative-zii-egg-3d-gaming-demo/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/29/video-creative-zii-egg-3d-gaming-demo/#comments
Now that the gang at Creative have 'fessed up to the Zii EGG first seen at the FCC earlier this month, we imagine we'll be encountering this bad boy quite often over the coming months. If you need your StemCell Computing fix right now, we have a video that showcases the newest developer platform running a racing game in all of its accelerometer-packing, 3D OpenGL ES-enhanced glory. Peep for yourself after the break.

[Via EpiZENter, thanks Michael]

Continue reading Video: Creative Zii EGG 3D gaming demo

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Video: Creative Zii EGG 3D gaming demo originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidcreativeeggopen glOpenGlplaszmaplaszma platformPlaszmaPlatformportable audioportable videoportableaudioportablevideostemcell computingStemcellComputingziizii eggzii plaszmaZiiEggZiiPlaszmazms-05Wed, 29 Jul 2009 15:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Creative debuts Android-powered Zii EGG for developers and OEMs]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/28/creative-debuts-android-powered-zii-egg-for-developers-and-oems/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/28/creative-debuts-android-powered-zii-egg-for-developers-and-oems/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/28/creative-debuts-android-powered-zii-egg-for-developers-and-oems/#comments
It's hard to know where to begin with this, but Creative has confirmed that Zii EGG handheld we saw pass through the FCC a few weeks ago, and proceeded to slap every odd marketing term the company has come up with over the past few years on it. The Zii EGG runs the new "Plaszma" platform, which has something to do with "StemCell Computing" and allows developers to simultaneously develop for Plaszma and Android. Since for now the Zii EGG is aimed at developers and OEMs, it runs fairly vanilla Android on top of Creative's ZMS-05 chip. The hardware itself is rather impressive, with front and rear facing cameras, HD playback, 1080p video output, OpenGL ES support, X-Fi audio processing, 32GB of built-in memory and a full SD slot. Other more "run of the mill" features include WiFi, GPS, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, and a 3-axis accelerometer. The 320 x 480 screen sounds strictly ordinary, but on top is some 10-point multitouch capacitive input -- Synaptics' new ClearPad 3000 if we had to guess.

The big drawback here is the lack of cellular data, but hopefully somebody can solve that before long. The Zii EGG is a developer platform, after all, but Creative says the platform is "market-ready" for picking up by OEMs for production -- hopefully they aren't far removed from shoehorning a 3G chipset in there somewhere as well. The Zii Plaszma Starter Kit bundled with the Zii EGG can be had for $400. A video demo is after the break.

[Via DAP Review]

Continue reading Creative debuts Android-powered Zii EGG for developers and OEMs

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Creative debuts Android-powered Zii EGG for developers and OEMs originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:03:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>androidbreaking newsBreakingNewscreativeplaszmaplaszma platformPlaszmaPlatformportable audioportable videoportableaudioportablevideostemcell computingStemcellComputingziizii eggzii plaszmaZiiEggZiiPlaszmazms-05Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:03:00 EST<![CDATA[Creative Zii and Zii EGG touchscreen players with HD cameras served up by FCC]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/07/creative-zii-and-zii-egg-touchscreen-handhelds-served-up-by-fcc/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/07/creative-zii-and-zii-egg-touchscreen-handhelds-served-up-by-fcc/http://www.engadget.com/2009/07/07/creative-zii-and-zii-egg-touchscreen-handhelds-served-up-by-fcc/#comments Guess who's back? Creative. Hard to believe, we know, but the company we've all but forgotten looks ready to make a comeback in the portable audio / video game. Creative Labs Zii and Zii EGG just made their first appearance at the FCC. Can't say that we're too enthused by the "EGG" moniker but we're definitely liking the looks of that "HD Camera" module along the backside of these "MP4 players with touchscreens" in addition to the Bluetooth and 802.11b/g WiFi radios. That "developer edition" is also a good sign that Creative is looking to make this a software platform a la the ol' iPod touch only with Creative's Zii system-on-chip architecture secret sauce. In fact, these devices could very well be running Android atop Creative's ZMS-05 chipset as we saw back in February. Welcome back Creative, you've got until September or so before Apple adds a camera to its own iPod touch... best get to work.

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Creative Zii and Zii EGG touchscreen players with HD cameras served up by FCC originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 07 Jul 2009 01:14:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Well what do you know... Creative's still in business and pumping out yet another variation of its Zen media player. The Zen MX features the same played design that Creative's been pushing since 2007 including a 2.5-inch, 320 x 240 pixel display, and SDHC expansion. However, as Creative's new low-end Zen, the MX is stripped of all but its most basic codecs -- MP3, DRM'd WMA, JPG pics, Audible 4, and Creative's own CMV video format are all that remain. The result is 8GB and 16GB Zen MX players hitting Japan (and presumably elsewhere) on May 5th for ¥9,800 (about $102) and ¥13,800 (about $144), respectively. Oh, and Creative also cut the price of its 32GB/16GB/8GB Zen X-Fi players. A move that would usually indicate an attempt to clear out inventory as the company prepares for a new flag-ship product. However, given the global economic situation and Creative's own internal meltdown, let's just say we're not too hopeful.

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Creative's cheap Zen MX even bores paid product models originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 28 Apr 2009 03:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creativejapanportable audioportable videoportableaudioportablevideopriceprice cutPriceCutx-fizenzen mpzen x-fiZenMpZenX-fiziiTue, 28 Apr 2009 03:15:00 EST<![CDATA[ZiiLabs to demo HD demo for Android at MWC]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/13/ziilabs-to-demo-hd-demo-for-android-at-mwc/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/13/ziilabs-to-demo-hd-demo-for-android-at-mwc/http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/13/ziilabs-to-demo-hd-demo-for-android-at-mwc/#comments
Looks like the zany folks over at ZiiLabs have more in store for us. They've announced that they'll be demoing HD video playback for Android with their ZMS-05 CPU at MWC (which starts on Monday, February 16th). So -- in essence, there's not too much new here -- the chip was on-hand at CES -- but we're happy to see it befriending old Android. There'll surely be more info coming out of Barcelona over the next week, but until then, you'll have to make due with the press release which is after the break.

Continue reading ZiiLabs to demo HD demo for Android at MWC

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ZiiLabs to demo HD demo for Android at MWC originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 19:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Looks like the zany folks over at ZiiLabs have more in store for us. They've announced that they'll be demoing HD video playback for Android with their ZMS-05 CPU at MWC (which starts on Monday, February 16th). So -- in essence, there's not too much new here -- the chip was on-hand at CES -- but we're happy to see it befriending old Android. There'll surely be more info coming out of Barcelona over the next week, but until then, you'll have to make due with the press release which is after the break.

Continue reading ZiiLabs to demo HD video for Android at MWC

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ZiiLabs to demo HD video for Android at MWC originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 13 Feb 2009 19:11:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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We stopped by Creative's booth to see what the haps was with the Zii earlier, and... well, there wasn't a ton going on there, but we wanted to document the experience for you anyway. What we saw didn't enhance our knowledge of what we learned earlier in the day: the system-on-chip architecture for media applications (the first part being the ZMO5 Media-Rich System-On-Chip which is apparently a newer version of 3DLABS's DMS-02 chip) is touted as a springboard for commercial applications -- and we hear that at least PowerLinux has signed on to use the platform for an advanced video conferencing system. Sounds exhaustingly exciting right? And it was. Creative doesn't want anyone getting too close to their components -- they were all encased in glass -- but check the gallery after the break for what we did see.

Gallery: Creative Zii booth

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Eyes-on the Creative Zii (or parts of it, anyway) originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 23:48:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces2009creativecreative ziiCreativeZiifeaturedfeaturesstemcell computingStemcellComputingziiThu, 08 Jan 2009 23:48:00 EST<![CDATA[Creative unveils Zii]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/08/creative-unveils-zii/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/08/creative-unveils-zii/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/08/creative-unveils-zii/#commentsCreative unveils Zii
If, despite our warning, you were still hoping that the Zii was some sort of new form factor media player or maybe even a futuristic computer that could morph and change shape as needed, prepare to be a bit disappointed. Creative has revealed all, and while everything we know has indeed not changed (contrary to earlier promises) we can now confidently tell you that Zii is a system-on-a-chip architecture for high-demand media applications, featuring numerous discrete processing elements that, to our untrained ears, sounds at its core a bit like Sony and IBM's Cell. It's said to offer performance to rival a supercomputer, easy scalability to provide limitless growth (from gigaflops to petaflops), and some sort of integrated throttling to enable higher efficiency by shutting down disused aspects of the system. The first piece of hardware from this platform is called the ZMS-05 Media-Rich System-On-Chip, and companies like MSI and PowerLinux have pledged their support, the latter of the two planning to use the processor for its embedded Linux video conferencing systems. We're definitely eager to see what sort of innovative uses come out of this new architecture, but for some reason we don't quite feel like the hype was warranted.

Update: Philip wrote in to let us know that the ZMS-05 is effectively just an updated and expanded version of 3DLABS's older DMS-02 chip, which, while also impressive, didn't change everything we know either.

Update 2: Video added after the break.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Continue reading Creative unveils Zii

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Creative unveils Zii originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 08 Jan 2009 10:24:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces 2009Ces2009creativecreative ziiCreativeZiimsipowerlinuxstemcell computingStemcellComputingziizms-05Thu, 08 Jan 2009 10:24:00 EST<![CDATA[Creative Zen Zii screenshots unearthed, possibly faked ]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/05/creative-zen-zii-screenshots-unearthed-possibly-faked/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/05/creative-zen-zii-screenshots-unearthed-possibly-faked/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/05/creative-zen-zii-screenshots-unearthed-possibly-faked/#comments
As you know, we've been hearing some mind-blowing Zii hype lately. If this latest rumor has any weight to it, among earth-shattering revelations unearthed in Creative's booth at CES will be a Zii-powered Zen. Of course, screenshots like these can be faked all too easily -- but really, why would anyone bother? What we have here is something that resembles previous Zen interfaces, formatted landscape rather than portrait, with what appears to be a widescreen display. Really, guys? Is this what passes for "revolutionary" these days? Call us jaded, but it's rather hard for us to believe that any PMP would have the power to "better lives beyond our imagination." Unless, of course, you're talking about the MySpace MP3 player. We so want one of those.

[Thanks, Oscar M.]

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Creative Zen Zii screenshots unearthed, possibly faked originally appeared on Engadget on Mon, 05 Jan 2009 19:49:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces 2009Ces2009chipcpucreativeportable audioportable videoportableaudioportablevideoprocessingprocessorstemcell computingStemcellComputingZENZEN ZiiZENZiiziiMon, 05 Jan 2009 19:49:00 EST<![CDATA[Creative axes 2,700 jobs, simultaneously lowers expectations for Zii]]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/creative-axes-2-700-jobs-simultaneously-lowers-expectations-for/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/creative-axes-2-700-jobs-simultaneously-lowers-expectations-for/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/04/creative-axes-2-700-jobs-simultaneously-lowers-expectations-for/#comments
While the hype is bubbling over surrounding Creative's Zii "stemcell computing," the outfit obviously doesn't think whatever it is will turn things around. Instead, it has chosen to cut some 2,700 jobs -- nearly half of its workforce -- as "demand for its music players tumbled." According to a report filed to Singapore's stock exchange on December 31, 2008, the company had 3,100 full time employees at the end of June 2008, which is around 47% lower than what was posted a year prior. 'Course, we suppose the cuts aren't all that surprising after posting a net loss of $19.7 million on the lowest revenues in five years, but it still makes us wonder just how confident the company is about this whole Zii dealio.

[Thanks, Grayson]

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Creative axes 2,700 jobs, simultaneously lowers expectations for Zii originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 04 Jan 2009 03:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>Creativeeconomyfiredjobjob cutsJobCutsjobslay offlay offsLayOffLayOffsmusicportable audioportable videoportableaudioportablevideostem cellstem cell computingStemCellStemCellComputingziiSun, 04 Jan 2009 03:35:00 EST<![CDATA[Creative sheds some hype on Zii 'stem cell computing']]>http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/02/creative-sheds-some-hype-on-zii-stem-cell-computing/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/02/creative-sheds-some-hype-on-zii-stem-cell-computing/http://www.engadget.com/2009/01/02/creative-sheds-some-hype-on-zii-stem-cell-computing/#comments
Pretty big talk, Creative, for such a mysterious product. According to information gleaned from an email that's making the rounds, Zii is "revolutionary" -- in fact, it's about to change everything you know. Everything. The company says they've invested over 10 years, over one billion dollars, and 10,000 man-years (that's a lot of men! and years!) on "stem cell-like silicon that is able to grow and multiply into different solutions and ecosystems," which will "better lives beyond our imagination." Has your mind been blown yet? No? Just wait until you "discover incredible recession-friendly business opportunities that enable you to thrive and prosper." Just what we need in the midst of these turbulent times. Of course this begs us to ask the question: if life as we know it is over, couldn't they have spent a little time coming up with a name other than Zii? And might there be a better place to announce this epoch-making discovery than booth #30651 at CES?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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Creative sheds some hype on Zii 'stem cell computing' originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 02 Jan 2009 12:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces 2009Ces2009chipcpucreativeportable audioportable videoportableaudioportablevideoprocessingprocessorstemcell computingStemcellComputingziiFri, 02 Jan 2009 12:42:00 EST<![CDATA[Creative's Zii actually a CES-bound processing chip]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/28/creatives-zii-actually-a-ces-bound-processing-chip/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/28/creatives-zii-actually-a-ces-bound-processing-chip/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/28/creatives-zii-actually-a-ces-bound-processing-chip/#comments
While our vivid imaginations certainly had something more invigorating than this in mind, we suppose Creative could still surprise us at CES 2009. The curious Zii website we peeked a few days back is reportedly referring to an all new processing chip, and while eipZENter isn't being too forthcoming with details just yet, we are told that it will likely be "one of the biggest projects Creative has invested in." If that's just too vague for your tastes, try this: "[Zii] is completely different from the X-Fi audio chip and it will be used in a variety of upcoming products." Alrighty then.

[Thanks, Swild]

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Creative's Zii actually a CES-bound processing chip originally appeared on Engadget on Sun, 28 Dec 2008 08:27:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>cesces 2009Ces2009chipcpucreativeportable audioportable videoportableaudioportablevideoprocessingprocessorstemcell computingStemcellComputingziiSun, 28 Dec 2008 08:27:00 EST<![CDATA[Creative's Zii "Stemcell Computing" is not likely to be awesome]]>http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/26/creatives-zii-stemcell-computing-is-not-likely-to-be-awesome/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/26/creatives-zii-stemcell-computing-is-not-likely-to-be-awesome/http://www.engadget.com/2008/12/26/creatives-zii-stemcell-computing-is-not-likely-to-be-awesome/#comments
Look, we have no idea what's going on here, and you know what? Maybe it's better that way. Creative -- a company always on the edge -- has clearly gone off the deep end. A new teaser on its site promises that "Everything you know is about to change..." and forwards on to the dubious Zii.com -- with a logo that couldn't be more obvious about its Wii inspiration. Four leaf clovers shimmer and shake, and a trademarked term chills us to our very core: Stemcell Computing. Yeah, how about no. If this is at all interesting to you, we recommend registering for updates soon, before this company manages to implode the Earth with its mad, mad science.

[Thanks, Grayson S.]

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Creative's Zii "Stemcell Computing" is not likely to be awesome originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 26 Dec 2008 09:39:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>creativestemcell computingStemcellComputingziiFri, 26 Dec 2008 09:39:00 EST