Creative launches its first touchscreen media player: The Zen X-Fi2

Jasmine France | Sep 03, 2009

(Credit: Creative)

For those Creative faithful who were a bit disappointed that the Zii Egg wasn't launched as a fully baked-and-branded media player for the masses, the company is about to make it up to you. This morning, Creative unveiled the Zen X-Fi2, a second-generation device that adds a touchscreen and TV-out capability to the already solid X-Fi foundation.

The new player features a 3-inch TFT LCD capable of displaying up to 262,000 colors, and by the looks of it, this new Zen carries over the excellent icon-based menu found on other players in the line.

At 102 x 57 x 11.6mm, the Zen X-Fi2 is quite a bit longer than the previous-generation model and more in line with the size of the iPod touch, though the Creative is still smaller overall. It also appears to offer some sort of home button, but we're happy to see that the Singapore-based company elected to orient this player in landscape mode, making it stand out from the touchscreen masses. In addition to the updated navigational method, the Zen X-Fi2 features direct TV-output capability, though you will need to purchase a cable accessory to take advantage of it.

(Credit: Creative)

Other than that, the features largely carry over from the Zen X-Fi. Creative continues to offer support for multiple audio (MP3, secure WMA, Audible, AAC, and FLAC) and video (WMV9, MPEG4-SP, DivX4/5, and XviD) formats, as well as JPEG and BMP photos. There's an external speaker for sharing the tunes, a built-in mic for making voice recordings, and an onboard FM radio with autoscan and 32 presets. The X-Fi2 also has basic PIM functionality for syncing calendar and contact information, and you can wake to your own music via the alarm clock feature.

Naturally, the player still includes the fully adjustable X-Fi sound enhancement features, and there's now a microSD card expansion slot for adding more memory (though no word on whether the content will be integrated into your main library).

The Creative Zen X-Fi2 will also come preloaded with a variety of content, which is something that hasn't been a standard offering in the past. You will get nine eMusic tracks as well as an audiobook (James Patterson's Maximum Ride) valued at US$19.99. What is not mentioned is whether the device will offer any wireless features for updating content on-the-go or even accessing a basic Web browser. (And it's doubtful this player would offer Bluetooth... or Mac compatibility, for that matter.)

The good news is you won't have to wait long to take advantage of Creative's first touchscreen MP3 player. The Zen X-Fi2 is set to be released in October in 16GB and 32GB models for S$329 (US$238.42) and S$399 (US$289.15), respectively, and is currently available for order on Creative's Singapore online store. The 16GB model will retail at the island-state's Comex IT fair in September.

We will keep you updated on availability of these players in the Asia region, as well as the prices for the 8GB model.