Creative Announces New Zen X-Fi
Sure, it’s not the iPod. And thankfully, it’s not the Zune (sorry Microsoft, stick to the software game). Despite Apple’s domination of the portable media market, there’s still a healthy percentage of gadgeteers who prefer the sleek style of the Creative Zen line of media players. And luckily for you rebels, Creative has just announced their newest entry, the Zen X-Fi.
I personally owned a Zen myself, mostly because it was compatible with Rhapsody’s To-Go service, which sadly Apple is yet to give up on. X-Fi provides users with among the best Mp3 players you could ask for. While there’s no touchscreen, the Zen X-Fi will indeed feature wifi connectivity, which brings a host of really cool communication features.
The Zen X-Fi features a numeral pad which allows you to interact using “TChatter”, which allows you to gab to friends on Yahoo Messenger, Gtalk, or MSN Messenger. Something which the iPod Touch is yet to offer (at least for now). The X-Fi support provides users with two separate listening settings. X-Fi Crystalizer restores details which might have been lost from the audio compression, while X-Fi Expand simulates the sound of live music by placing the audio in front of you, rather than the typical two-sided stereo sound.
While I would certainly prefer the more rich sound experience of Crystalizer, there are surely a bunch of you who would love to experience the live-feel of Expand. So if you’re looking for an iPod alternative, the new Creative Zen X-Fi seems like a pretty decent choice. An official launch is likely in the upcoming days.
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