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60GB Zen Vision:M shows up in magazine ad
The leaky ship that is Creative has already done enough rumor "confirmation" this week to suit an iPod fanboy for a good couple of years, but they thought they'd do just a little more by advertising a 60GB Zen Vision:M in the September issue of Maxim magazine. The only question now is not whether or not they're releasing a 60GB player, but whether they're going to wait until these things land on shelves before they actually fess up to the production of such a device by means of an official announcement. Try us, Creative -- we're all ears.Read - epiZENter [Via Anything But iPod]Read - The full ad at Image Shack
Creative Zen Vision:M due for 60GB upgrade next month?
All we've really got to go on so far is a quote from Creative Labs president Craig McHugh during their quarterly earnings conference call, but just because we don't have the word from a friend of a friend and didn't get the message passed in invisible ink doesn't mean we have to discount it entirely. Thus saith Craig: "As I mentioned earlier, what we're doing with the Zen Vision:M at the $299 level and then increasing it when we add 60GB." That marvelously ambiguous statement could mean $300 60 giggers, or a new pricepoint for the new size, but either way it looks like there's a new Zen Vision:M headed our way. Other rumors point to a September launch date to coincide with Microsoft's WMP11 launch for Windows XP, and it sounds to be a good a date as any. The real question is when Creative will be ready ready to compete with iPod video 2.0 and the forthcoming Zune -- they need something to combat the real topic of the conference call: hefty losses -- but a storage bump still can't go far amiss. [Via Digital Media Thoughts]
Apple to ace the iPod click-wheel? Not likely.
Nothing starts the day like a freshly squeezed Apple rumor, right? Well you're looking at 10 supposed iPod (and one iPhone?) "redesigns" which AppleInsider extracted from the bowels of a European trademark and design office. Credited to Andre K. Bartley, an Apple interface designer with several iPod-related patent filings in the US and Europe under his belt, these designs were registered in January 2006 without any descriptive data. We don't doubt the authenticity of this filing, however, what's hard to stuff down the ol' pie-hole is the idea of Apple walking away from its much loved, and oft imitated, click-wheel interface for the iPod as AI suggests. And certainly not in favor of a Gigabeat e(S)que cross-hair controller or uh, Creative's scroll strip. Considering Apple's long history of litigation over interface design, we're probably just looking at some legal maneuvering here. Next.
Creative Zen V Plus reviewed
Looks like CNET managed to get a Zen V Plus from Creative a while ago, and have already put the thing through its paces and posted their glowing review of the device. First, and fairly notable: for sheer value, the Zen V and V Plus really have the iPod nano beat, since not only do Creative's new players feature similar capacity for a good bit less, but the players also have the quite convenient line-in capability, and V Plus adds in FM and video playback for a bit of extra nano smackdown. As for design, CNET seems to be a fan; noting its cute, Tamagotchi-like feel and form factor as a definite asset. They also felt more confident with the sturdier design of the player in comparison to the nano, which is thinner but taller than the Zen V, and didn't complain about the "bulk" in regards to pocketability. Unfortunately, the joystick is a bit small and cheap feeling, and the player lacks two of the face buttons of its big brother, the Zen Vision:M. We're also concerned about the lack of scrolling capability which does show up in the Sansa and nano, but we're just worriers like that. Apparently, the 1.5-inch OLED screen is looking good, with a bit of an visible pixel grid, and some bright sunlight problems, but overall "vivid" performance. We can't say that changes our mind about the actual functionality of video playback on this thing, but if you need to know, the V Plus supports MPEG-4, WMV, DivX and more, and comes with the ToolBox software to convert files for playback. The device of course supports MP3, WAV, PlaysForSure WMA and Audible audio, and you can nab podcasts with Creative's ZenCast software. Other than USB host capability, or WiFi, the Zen V Plus has about every feature you could ask for, even PIM functionality with Outlook syncing. As for what really matters, Zen V shines with 20 hours of batter life (5 more than Creative's 15 hour rating), and solid audio quality and volume. Sounds like Creative could have a winner on their hands, and CNET's Editors' Choice award can't hurt, but we're still not sure we've seen something that can actually manage to beat the nano at its own game in this market.
ITC initiates Apple probe at Creative's behest
In a move that comes as a complete surprise considering the history between their two companies, Creative CEO Sim Wong Hoo has reportedly telephoned Apple CEO Steve Jobs to officially withdraw his firm's pending lawsuits and congratulate Mr. Jobs on the iPod's overwhelming victory in the marketplace. Yeah right, like that really happened; actually, the bad blood between the world's number one and two DAP manufacturers continues to flow unabated, with Wednesday seeing Creative move one step closer to the permanent cease and desist order it's seeking against the iPod, thanks to a probe intiated by the US International Trade Commssion. The ITC agreed to look into's Creative's complaint that several iPod models violate its Zen patents, which was the impetus for Apple filing two countersuits of its own. A ruling on the complaint is not anticipated for at least twelve months, during which time we can expect Apple to sell a lot more digital audio players than Creative, who will probably have to shift even more of its R&D budget to the overworked legal department.
Creative's ProGamer system goes wireless
Maximum PC has posted a review of Creative's latest contribution to 5.1 gaming, the GigaWorks ProGamer G550W. Creative has improved upon the original G550 system by making the rear channels cord-free, and including a wireless remote control that can also be used with select ZEN and MuVo MP3 players.The ProGamer G550W retails for $400, but can be had for as little as $305 online. Visit Creative's product page for more information.
Creative releases ZEN Aurvana earphones
Creative released their cleverly and modestly-named ZEN Aurvana earphones, promising 90% blockage of ambient noise (not unlike most canalphones). The $100 phones are apparently first being released in Singapore this month, but we assume they'll be making their way elsewhere sooner rather than later, since they're already featured prominently on Creative's site. The Aurvanas (or is it Aurvani?) weigh just 13g, making them the lightest in their class according to Creative, and come with a number of accessories, including two sets of three different size earbuds, an airplane adaptor, cleaning tool, and a rather slick looking travel case. Sounds about run-of-the-mill to us, but it'll be nice if they start bundling these with their players.[Via DMT]
Creative attempts to redefine "Podcast"
This is a good one. When they aren't busy trying to sue the pants off of Apple, Creative gets very creative indeed with the definition of "Podcast." While most of us would define "podcast" as the distribution of audio/video content to an iPod via an RSS feed (more or less), Creative lets loose with this whopper:"Podcasts, short for Personal On Demand broadcast, are audio files you can download into any MP3 player or computer." Um, what? Nice try, Creative. That's almost as good as Microsoft's "blogcasts."[Via 37Signals]
