Creative targets China's tablet market with its HanZpad
HanZpad reference tablet designs based on its flagship ZMS-40 chip and Android 4.0.
(Credit: Philip Wong/CNET Asia)
The hardware
At the heart of each HanZpad is ZiiLabs' flagship ZMS-40 system-on-chip (SoC), which features a 4-core ARM CPU running at 1.5GHz and a separate StemCell media-processing array. The latter boasts a staggering 96 cores, which contributes to the ZMS-40's official "100-core" moniker given by ZiiLabs."The next chip will come with 256+++ cores", Sim Wong Hoo, Creative chairman and CEO.
The following table is a quick comparison of the recently launched Tegra 3 SoC from Nvidia, though it is still unclear if its graphics-processing unit is equivalent to the ZMS-40's StemCell array.
| SoC | ZiiLabs' ZMS-20 | ZiiLabs' ZMS-40 | Nvidia Tegra 3 |
| Central processor | 1.5GHz, 2 cores | 1.5GHz, 4 cores | 1.3GHz, 4 cores |
| Graphics/media processor | 48 cores | 96 cores | 12 cores |
| Max memory | 1GB | 2GB | |
| Android compatibility | 3.0/Honeycomb | 4.0/Ice Cream Sandwich | |
The software
Creative has also developed Chinese applications with its associate to further differentiate the HanZpad from its competitors. An example is eSchoolBag suites designed for China's latest digital textbooks and digital classroom initiatives, while the Digital BriefCase suites are suitable for other sectors such as finance and logistics.
HanZpad Chinese handwritting software.
(Credit: Creative)
These software solutions leverage on the company's over 20 years of experiences in developing Chinese-oriented products and educational content in the local market. An integrated encryption function in the ZMS-40 chip further provides piracy protection and the ability to lock applications for specific models of the tablet.
Premium model: HanZpad GS
The "GS" here stands for golden standard and refers to a 10.1-inch HanZpad, which is 7.95mm-thin with an ultra-lightweight and stylish design. Aesthetics aside, this premium model is also loaded with a ZiiLabs-enhanced Android 4.0 and a Chinese OS which allows for handwritten Chinese character inputs. A stylus dubbed HanZpen will be bundled to facilitate this function.
The HanZpad GS weighs only 480g and is 7.95mm thin.
(Credit: Creative)
Here are other noteworthy features.
- IncStage for wireless presentation and sharing of documents via compatible devices
- ZiiCamera for taking highly detailed panoramic photos of up to 40-megapixels and shots with 3D effects
- ZiiVideo for advanced video playback; compatible with the WebM video format that's supported by HTML5
- High-resolution audio through Bluetooth and Wi-Fi connections
- Dual-display support with the TV displaying a different content from the tablet's screen
You might like to check out these key specifications, too.
- 10.1-inch, 1,280 x 800-pixels IPS panel
- 1GB memory and expandable up to 64GB via a micro SDHC slot
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity
- 22-hour battery life
- 260 x 171.4 x 7.95mm, 480g
Sim cited a few reasons on his decision to launch the HanZpad in China. Among them are China's huge market and his passion for the Chinese language. He's also using the country as a stepping stone to expand into the rest of the world, but has not ruled out the possibility of partnering with companies outside of China to market these tablets.
Unfortunately, no availability and pricing information were provided during the launch, though HanZpad samples will be shipping to Creative's Chinese partners such as 3Nod Corporation by mid-May. Chinese students under its pilot programs will also be receiving the tablet around the same period.
About the author
Philip Wong is an A/V, PC, photography and gaming enthusiast. Besides spending countless days and late nights fiddling with his home theater system and watercooled PC, he also hits the roads frequently on his iron horse to sweat it out. Now, who says geeks don't work out?
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