Creative Zen X-Fi debuts in SingaporeSINGAPORE--After months of rumors and the supposed uncovering of photos and information by epiZENter from Creative's own site a couple of weeks back, the Creative Zen X-Fi is finally official.Unveiled at a press event held in Singapore today, this latest media player will bring home several firsts for Creative's range of Zen offerings. For starters, the X-Fi is the first Zen player to feature onboard Wi-Fi. This, as rumored earlier, allows not just wireless streaming and downloading of content from the PC, but instant messaging capabilities on Yahoo and MSN as well, with its unique nine-button user interface. More importantly, as its name suggests, the Zen X-Fi is Creative's first player to incorporate the company's patented X-Fi technology. This provides two audio enhancement options for users. The X-Fi Crystalizer restores details lost during music file compression, while the X-Fi Expand adds more range and virtual effect to the audio playback. To complement the X-Fi sound experience, Creative has also bundled a pair of premium in-ear earbuds (EP-830), another first for the Singapore-based company. Like the Creative Zen player introduced last year, the Zen X-Fi comes with a 2.5-inch LCD display, SD/SDHC expansion card slot, FM radio and voice recorder. Additionally, you'll find an onboard speaker on the X-Fi player. The Zen X-Fi will be available in three different storage capacities. The 16GB and 32GB versions will come with Wi-Fi, while the 8GB model will not. The 16GB and 32GB units, which retail for S$329 (US$242.23) and S$399 (US$293.76) respectively, will be available immediately. The S$229 (US$168.60) 8GB model is expected to launch later in July. Additionally, Creative is collaborating with Scorpio East Pictures, MediaCorp Raintree Pictures and Golden Village Pictures to release a limited-edition Red Cliff Zen X-Fi media player. You can read more about it here. A number of accessories will be released for the player this month, including a leather case, silicone skin, armband and screen protector sheets. A Creative TravelSound Zen X-Fi Docking Speaker System is also slated for end of September. |
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- Talkback
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euphoria says...
Hope to see a Zen Mobile coming from creative soon!
Jul 10, 2008 11:22
Hope to see a Zen Mobile coming from creative soon!
Jul 10, 2008 11:22
AgentAnuar says...
Finally creative has done something smart
Jul 10, 2008 19:21
Finally creative has done something smart
Jul 10, 2008 19:21
nanonano says...
There's just ONE BIG THING to make this pmp perfect. Hello Creative, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE add a LYRICS reader and a BOOKREADER.
Jul 10, 2008 19:33
There's just ONE BIG THING to make this pmp perfect. Hello Creative, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE add a LYRICS reader and a BOOKREADER.
Jul 10, 2008 19:33
ferdiei says...
this new product launch banking on their X-fi technology, Creative could spark a renaissance on their brand just like what the ipod has done with Apple. and this model with its slew of features is clearly targeting the ipod-nano...take note that the 32GB is the most tempting which is only $70 more than the 16GB version
Jul 10, 2008 21:07
this new product launch banking on their X-fi technology, Creative could spark a renaissance on their brand just like what the ipod has done with Apple. and this model with its slew of features is clearly targeting the ipod-nano...take note that the 32GB is the most tempting which is only $70 more than the 16GB version
Jul 10, 2008 21:07
Detoxinator says...
Apple better buy X-Fi tech off Creative, this is no jokes.
I like design and the included good quality headphones
Jul 10, 2008 21:20
Apple better buy X-Fi tech off Creative, this is no jokes.
I like design and the included good quality headphones
Jul 10, 2008 21:20
Munk says...
Looks great! I was just about to get the new Sony NWZ-808. Owned a few iPods and their audio quality = crap.
Got a few questions if anyone can answer:
-I dont see any markings on the keys. Do they work like they do on a mobile phone for text input? If so, will the x-fi have "t3" ? (predictive text).
-Pic 6, next to the sd card slot: Is that a microphone or a lanyard slot?
-Pic 7, Whats that aboove the microphone slot?
& lastly, when exactly will this hit the streets?
Jul 13, 2008 19:39
Looks great! I was just about to get the new Sony NWZ-808. Owned a few iPods and their audio quality = crap.
Got a few questions if anyone can answer:
-I dont see any markings on the keys. Do they work like they do on a mobile phone for text input? If so, will the x-fi have "t3" ? (predictive text).
-Pic 6, next to the sd card slot: Is that a microphone or a lanyard slot?
-Pic 7, Whats that aboove the microphone slot?
& lastly, when exactly will this hit the streets?
Jul 13, 2008 19:39
azli says...
Hi Munk, i already bought this jewel on thursday, on the launch day itself at marina creative store. When i call the customer service on thursday, they say the player is only available at marina and plaza singapura and not at the HQ yet but not sure about now.
Pic 6 - the big slot is for sd card, the small one is the speaker and the small little hole is the mic
pic 7 - that is actually the LED light, headphone jack, the usb and lastly the reset button as indicated
they dont have T3 (predictive text). the nine buttons works more like a navigator like if u wanna scroll up, then press the top row centre button and if u wanna scroll down use the bottom row centre button and the so called number 4 and 6 button are for previous and next, like when u are viewing some pictures.
from my own review, the speaker is loud enough and good enough to even beat those handphones speakers and i even tested with some Nokia's and SE handphones and frankly this jewel is louder and more crisps. There's even a little bass (lows) audible and the highs especially the cymbals crashing is so clear especially when the X-Fi crystal is on. Sounds extremely great if u use the provided earbud ear phone or if u want to hear the best, use a high end professional headphones
My rating 4 out 5
Highly Recommended and its cheap for the 32GB (S$399)
Jul 14, 2008 12:12
Hi Munk, i already bought this jewel on thursday, on the launch day itself at marina creative store. When i call the customer service on thursday, they say the player is only available at marina and plaza singapura and not at the HQ yet but not sure about now.
Pic 6 - the big slot is for sd card, the small one is the speaker and the small little hole is the mic
pic 7 - that is actually the LED light, headphone jack, the usb and lastly the reset button as indicated
they dont have T3 (predictive text). the nine buttons works more like a navigator like if u wanna scroll up, then press the top row centre button and if u wanna scroll down use the bottom row centre button and the so called number 4 and 6 button are for previous and next, like when u are viewing some pictures.
from my own review, the speaker is loud enough and good enough to even beat those handphones speakers and i even tested with some Nokia's and SE handphones and frankly this jewel is louder and more crisps. There's even a little bass (lows) audible and the highs especially the cymbals crashing is so clear especially when the X-Fi crystal is on. Sounds extremely great if u use the provided earbud ear phone or if u want to hear the best, use a high end professional headphones
My rating 4 out 5
Highly Recommended and its cheap for the 32GB (S$399)
Jul 14, 2008 12:12
Munk says...
Thnx for sharing your thoughts Azli. Caught this vid on youtube: www.youtube.com... - The speakers do sound good (cosidering the size) & if they can produce any sort of bass, thats even more impressive. The X-Fi crystaliser also seems to wrok really well and having been using creative soundcards for ages I know how difficult it is to go back to the "normal" sound.
The price for the 32gb is very competetive & would definately sway people like over something like , say a Sony NWZ. (Although the new NWZ's offer a noise cancellation/ a2dp option as well).
Jul 15, 2008 03:29
Thnx for sharing your thoughts Azli. Caught this vid on youtube: www.youtube.com... - The speakers do sound good (cosidering the size) & if they can produce any sort of bass, thats even more impressive. The X-Fi crystaliser also seems to wrok really well and having been using creative soundcards for ages I know how difficult it is to go back to the "normal" sound.
The price for the 32gb is very competetive & would definately sway people like over something like , say a Sony NWZ. (Although the new NWZ's offer a noise cancellation/ a2dp option as well).
Jul 15, 2008 03:29
FishSM says...
Where has the LYRICS DISPLAY gone to? Good product though. May be a bigger screen will be better? Prefect with noise-cancalling earphone. First time ever bundled with a player. Will a 64GB or bigger flash based player be available in the next 3 years?
Jul 26, 2008 19:47
Where has the LYRICS DISPLAY gone to? Good product though. May be a bigger screen will be better? Prefect with noise-cancalling earphone. First time ever bundled with a player. Will a 64GB or bigger flash based player be available in the next 3 years?
Jul 26, 2008 19:47
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