Creative Zen X-Fi debuts in Singapore
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$264.34) and S$399 (US$320.58) respectively, will be available immediately. The S$229 (US$183.99) 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.
Creative Zen X-Fi and its accessories
| Model name | In a nutshell |
Creative Zen X-Fi Click for more info |
Availability in Singapore: Now (16GB and 32GB); Late July 2008 (8GB) |
)
Creative TravelSound Zen X-Fi Docking Speaker System Click for larger image |
Availability in Singapore: September 2008 |
)
Creative Zen X-Fi Armband Click for larger image |
Availability in Singapore: July 2008 |
)
Creative Zen X-Fi Silicone Case Click for larger image |
Availability in Singapore: July 2008 |
)
Creative Zen X-Fi Leather Case Click for larger image |
Availability in Singapore: July 2008 |
About the author
A Back to the Future fan, Reuben Lee secretly hopes the flux capacitor works so he can go back in time to tell the younger him to invest in Google shares. This former engineering graduate stumbled from varsity straight into games and tech writing just for the fun at CNET Asia. He found it so much fun, he stayed on for the next 11 years. You can also catch this Senior Editor for chats on all things Japan, the manga One Piece, Star Wars, Liverpool and football, and racing games.
Latest comments
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?
Thnx for sharing your thoughts Azli. Caught this vid on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LSQgOlDv-Kg&eurl=http://www.engadget.com/2008/07/14/creative-finally-gets-really-official-with-zen-x-fi-as-it-appear/ - 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).
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)
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?
2 Thumbs Up !!! :)
Apple better buy X-Fi tech off Creative, this is no jokes. I like design and the included good quality headphones
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
There's just ONE BIG THING to make this pmp perfect. Hello Creative, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE add a LYRICS reader and a BOOKREADER.
This is so cool!!!!!!!!!
Finally creative has done something smart
Join the conversation
Sign In with Facebook or create an account to post a review.
