zen

Here's a simple math exercise: should you spend $199 on an 8GB iPod nano or $119.99 on an 8GB Creative Zen V Plus? Answer: a big fat "that depends."

The nano has a slightly larger screen (2 inches, versus 1.5 on the Zen), a way sexier design, and vastly superior software for managing music, podcasts, and the like. But for $80 less, the Zen nets you an FM radio, a voice recorder, compatibility with subscription-music services like Napster and Rhapsody, and even line-in recording.

So it boils down to style over substance. If you're … Read more

Like day side of Mercury, ultracompact is so hot right now. Creative seems to be aware of that fact, as the company's only major portable audio announcement for CES is an update to both of its Zen Stone lines of MP3 players. The new Stones "with Built-In Speaker" (yes, that's the official name) are pretty much exactly what they sound like--the itty-bittiest of Zens with a single, integrated external speaker. That's not the only difference, though. The new players also offer an updated color scheme; it's a brushed-metallic look with your choice of baby … Read more

For those who complained (ahem: me) that the new, flash-based Creative Zen didn't come close to matching the capacity of the player it was replacing (the Zen Vision:M), the day of our comeuppance has arrived...sort of. Technically, that day will arrive sometime around "the middle of next week" (gotta love that commitment), when you'll actually be able to order the player outright. What I refer to, of course, is the release of a 32GB version of the Zen. Sure, it's no 60GB behemoth, but that's still plenty of space for many power … Read more

Too late, you missed 'em. The supply of $99 original Zunes dried up over Long Black Weekend, probably for good. But all is not lost: You can still score a 30GB media player without spending triple digits. I'm talking about the Creative Zen Vision:M, which looks like a chunky iPod Video but has a few aces up its reconditioned sleeve.

The player sports a 2.5-inch screen, FM radio tuner, and voice recorder (even the Zune doesn't have that). It supports podcasts and can sync with Outlook. It's also compatible with music-subscription services like Napster and … Read more

The latest player from Creative, dubbed simply Zen, will replace the Zen Vision:M, adding the company to a growing list of MP3 player makers giving up hard drives in favor of flash memory. I got my hands on an engineering sample of the new player, and it's pretty friggin' sweet so far. You can see it in all its glory right here; either check out the slide show for still life, or click play on the video at rightto see it in action.

(You can also click the pic below for slide show goodness.)

Ah, the Internet age. When nobody can keep anything secret--least of all Amazon.com. The retail giant has been responsible for more than its fair share of broken embargoes. The latest faux pas? A presale listing of the Creative Zen, a brand new flash MP3 player set to "officially" launch this evening. Unfortunately, I don't actually get to see one in person until later this afternoon, but I do have some juicy details to share.

The new Creative Zen--no surname--will replace the chunky Zen Vision:M. That's right: no more hard drive players for Creative (aside … Read more

Bang & Olufsen is known for its minimalist good looks (though sometimes too minimalist), but it's taken the concept to new heights with its latest media appliance. Even the name--"DVD 2"--is irresistably Spartan.

So are its features, which may be a bit too limited for some people in this age of electronics that do everything but the dishes (and sometimes that too). The device does have a 250GB hard drive to go along with its DVD player and TV tuner but, as Pocket-lint says, it hardly qualifies as a "next-gen product." No matter … Read more

It's been well under a week since DAPreview discovered a 16GB version of the Creative Zen V Plus listed on the company's Singapore Web site, and yet the player has already made its way onto the U.S.-based online store--and in this country, it's actually in stock. You can pick up the capacious flash-based MP3 player for $249.99, which is the same price as the 30GB Zen Vision:M. Still, I think it's a small price to pay to get your hands on that roomy flash chip. For those that are counting, that's … Read more

It seems that there is a benefit to running Creative fan site EpiZENter, and that's that you notice sneaky Creative moves before the "other guys" (in this case, me). The astute fellows over at DAPreview have caught sight of a 16GB version of the Zen V Plus over at Creative's Singapore store. We already knew that 16GB flash devices were imminent, but this is the first player that's been officially listed in that capacity. However, the product is currently not in stock, so it may not end up being the first one out the gate. … Read more