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Creative Zii Egg Officially Announced
comment: 58 | Tuesday, July 28 (2009) 08:30AM | Posted by Michael


A few weeks ago we reported on an FCC leak of Creative's first touchscreen player called the Zii Egg. Well it's officially hatched, and I must say, it's simply amazing on paper. It's a 3.5" multi-touch touchscreen device capable of outputting video in 1080P. It has Wi-Fi (with full Opera web browser), X-Fi, Bluetooth, an accelerometer, an SDHDC slot, Dual cameras, and so much more. Now get this, it'll cost as low as $199US. Just as impressive is Creative's new software development kit for the device called "Plaszma". The kit comprises of an open-source OS with C++ support (compared to Android's Java) combined with the Zii chip (ZMS-05). The platform also includes a version of Android optimized for the Zii chip. Both the Zii Egg and Plaszma OS are targeted at manufactures who want a market ready device and OS platform.



Zii Egg Specs:

• Capacitive 10-point multi-gesture touch display
• 3.5” 320x480 true-color display
• Up to 32GB internal plus SDHC slot (supports up to 32GB of external SDHC Card)
• Supports: MP3, WMA, AAC, WMV, H.264, MPEG-4, AVI, and MOV (These are unconfirmed codecs for now)
• X-Fi audio processing
• Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
• 3-axis Accelerometer
• Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g
• Hardware GPS receiver
• 32MB NOR (Linux Kernel Boot ROM)
• 256MB Mobile DDR RAM
• Supports 720p and 1080p HDTVs via HD cable
•Headphone socket, built-in speaker and microphone
• Dual cameras
- Forward facing HD camera
- Rear facing VGA camera
• 1200mAH rechargeable lithium-ion
• 115 x 62 x 12 mm (108grams)

See a video of the Zii Egg and Plaszma OS in action:




It's hard for me to believe a company in Creative's position could create something so high-end. While the design isn't the most original, the abundance of features that it has, with the combination of an open-source OS like Android really sets it apart from any other player released thus far. We'll make sure to update you as soon as we have more.

We should note, The Zii Egg is the developer's edition of the device, designed for OEM manufacturers who would like an easy platform to make their own players. According to the FCC leak, there was also a consumer model simply called the "Zii". That model and its pricing has yet to be announced.

Zii.com

via epiZENter

Continue reading to see more pictures of the Zii Egg


[ Read the rest ... ]
Comments

Saijin_Naib
Location: Warren, NJ
Comments: 893
 		Jul 28 (2009) 09:06AM  

This looks to be my next device. Congratulations Creative, you've finally begun to live up to your name. Took about 5 years but hey, who is counting?



Juxxy

Comments: 3
 		Jul 28 (2009) 09:39AM  

I'm not a fan of the looks, but the feature set/price may really be enough to convince me. Now can they please add a SIM card slot to the android version? Pretty please?



Pri3st

Comments: 4
 		Jul 28 (2009) 09:41AM  

Amazing! I want it now. Now can they copy the look of the Zune HD?:D



Zensen

Comments: 4
 		Jul 28 (2009) 09:47AM  

Awesome!



Steve

Comments: 1197
 		Jul 28 (2009) 09:48AM  

I'm blown away. I didn't expect anything like this from Creative. Those features are amazing. I'll definitely be getting one if Creative doesn't find a creative way to cripple it.



Pondlife

Comments: 507
 		Jul 28 (2009) 10:00AM  

Release date? And battery life info is the other thing of real interest missing.

Front facing camera makes it sound like a phone, but guess it could just be for instant messaging?

Certainly pulled something impressive out of the bag, didn't expect this after the Zen moo

the $199 is a bit of a fudge though as that's bulk orders and sounds like ones with no onboard memory

[ edited Jul 28 (2009) 10:47AM ]



Dominic
Location: Ireland.
Comments: 2396
 		Jul 28 (2009) 10:50AM  

Are creative going to release this themselves? I'm not at all sure on that as it seems like it's an OEM product available to any company that wants to license/buy it. The low price mentioned, as pondlife has said, seems to be the cost price for which ever company should want to bulk buy the egg, which would indicate that the retail price should be considerably more...again I'm not terribly clear on the details but this is what I have gathered after reading the links and watching the video.



Michael
Location: New York City
Comments: 2786
 		Jul 28 (2009) 10:53AM  

Yeah, I believe Creative will be selling it themselves. They're currently selling the developer version at Zii.com, but there's also a consumer model that's just called the "Zii" that should be sold at Creative's consumer websites.

The Plazsma OS platform (which includes the Zii chip) is what's being marketed towards OEM manufacturers in hopes that it gets put on major devices.
[ edited Jul 28 (2009) 10:54AM ]



Dominic
Location: Ireland.
Comments: 2396
 		Jul 28 (2009) 10:55AM  

That's good news Looks like very impressive hardware in any case!

EDIT: Mike, I think the Zii egg itself (all hardware) is also being offered here

"Market-Ready products like the sleek, low-energy Zii EGG provide feature-rich platforms that enable developers, integrators and OEMs to innovate and profit by creating their own brand solutions where the hardware design, core software and product certifications have been taken care of. "

"With all the design, manufacturing and industry certifications such as CE and FCC taken care of, the Zii EGG leaves developers free to focus on innovation."

I am not totally sure on that and my interpretation may well be incorrect.

Ziilabs.com: [Linky]


EDIT2: The more I think about it, the more I think that my interpretation of all the info is wrong.

[ edited Jul 28 (2009) 11:01AM ]



Michael
Location: New York City
Comments: 2786
 		Jul 28 (2009) 11:07AM  

No, you're right I think. The Zii Egg is the developer version of the device. So that's being sold to developers and OEM people to model their devices after, as well as for those who want to create apps and software for the plazsma OS.

I'm assuming there's going to be a regular consumer edition simply called the "Zii" based on the fact that the FCC documents showed a 'Zii" model and a developer's edition called the Zii Egg

Well I think it'd be silly for Creative to not make a consumer edition at least, with the types of consumer-friendly stock images they've made and such.
[ edited Jul 28 (2009) 11:08AM ]



Dominic
Location: Ireland.
Comments: 2396
 		Jul 28 (2009) 11:10AM  

Hehehe, so much to take in i'm a little overwhelmed!

So do you think I am correct in assuming that the likes of Archos could buy a truckload of zii eggs and brand those as something like the Archso 409 to then be sold on to the mass populous?
[ edited Jul 28 (2009) 11:11AM ]



duck33

Comments: 39
 		Jul 28 (2009) 11:10AM  

It also has OpenGL ES Support, would be nice to know how Zii stacks against Tegra in that, although the ZuneHD probably will use something from Microsoft instead of OpenGL ES



alcalde

Comments: 113
 		Jul 28 (2009) 11:12AM  

All that stuff and they left out OGG????

This is just amazing though... many times I've talked about a dream DAP that used the Zii chip, was open-source linux based, ran the Opera browser, had SDHC and tv-out... this is like straight out of my tech fantasy into real life. It even has a speaker and microphone, which could be used for my dream feature of voice control for controlling it while driving (and if that feature's not on there, it seems like this can run 3rd-party apps so I could write it myself!)

Dominic... I haven't read the material yet so I don't know what to think... but I wouldn't be surprised if Creative hopes someone will license the design and make a phone out of it (which seems to be the point of adding the front camera, speaker, mic, etc.).




Michael
Location: New York City
Comments: 2786
 		Jul 28 (2009) 11:14AM  

Yeah Dom, I think that's certainly possible. I don't know if I'm misinterpreting or incorrectly assuming that Creative will release a consumer edition themselves, but there'd have to be a reason for showing two different models in the FCC report.
[ edited Jul 28 (2009) 11:14AM ]



Ricardo Dawkins

Comments: 380
 		Jul 28 (2009) 11:14AM  

This is what I want. goodbye ZuneHD
[ edited Jul 28 (2009) 11:16AM ]



aniym

Comments: 65
 		Jul 28 (2009) 11:15AM  

very impressive on paper. if implemented correctly, this could be the biggest thing creative's done since the legendary Zen Vision: M. I'm a bit confused as to what they're licensing...the entire product, or just the chipset? anyway, the addition of a full SD slot is a wise move...I wonder if they'll also be offering replaceable batteries, which is a possibility since they are targeting the OEM market as well.



epithetless
Location: Boston, Mass
Comments: 149
 		Jul 28 (2009) 11:18AM  

Wow. I did not expect such an aggressive feature set from Creative at this point. Well done there. Now let's hope they've found a way to seamlessly integrate files from the SD slot into the database (a single database)...and that the device operates just fine in MSC mode with simple dragging-and-dropping (no mandatory syncing software/MTP-exclusiveness/ecosystem restrictions, please).



Sebhelyesfarku

Comments: 398
 		Jul 28 (2009) 11:20AM  

Creative will struggle against the iPod Touch, meanwhile it became an application platform with shitload of apps. And gapless playback!
[ edited Jul 28 (2009) 11:21AM ]



Pondlife

Comments: 507
 		Jul 28 (2009) 11:25AM  

Well this does trump the current touch in rather a lot of areas.



DapHunter

Comments: 82
 		Jul 28 (2009) 11:37AM  

I don't get it. Are they going to sell their own version and if so, why aren't they doing it?
Is the version in the SDK a full product?

If there is one thing I have learned about Creative through the years is that they walk a lot of bases but never seem to hit a home run.

If the product is so great why dont they just go to market and start building a crap load of apps?


Michael
Location: New York City
Comments: 2786
 		Jul 28 (2009) 11:57AM  

Yes, I, and others are assuming there's going to be a regular consumer version. I'm basing this mostly on the FCC report, and well what seems like a no-brainer move for Creative to do since they already sell players. Unless they somehow stop making players, and go 100% into the OEM business, I see no reason why they shouldn't release a consumer model.

This announcement comes straight from Zii.com who usually focuses on the developer/business side. I'm fully expecintg the consumer side of Creative (i.e. Creative.com) to release their press release announcing a regular edition.

Again, here's a picture from the FCC report. I've added my own interpretation of why there are two models, though the Zii Egg one clearly says Developer edition. Since the Zii Egg was announced today as an Developers edition, I see no reason to believe a regular "Zii" isn't coming too


[ edited Jul 28 (2009) 11:59AM ]



alcalde

Comments: 113
 		Jul 28 (2009) 11:57AM  

After looking at the Youtube video and the website, I'm more in line with Dominic on this. This doesn't seem to be a Creative consumer product; they're still looking for other people to do the developing/selling.

"Plaszma is an open standard development platform designed to let you create customized applications and devices. Plaszma comprises Plaszma OS, SDK and the full suite of hardware."

If Creative does make their own consumer version, there's no reason to believe it will have all the features contained in the Zii Egg. The Egg is a development platform that people could build navigation systems, phones, DAPs, etc. off of so it has all the hardware in one unit. Creative wouldn't necessarily include all of that in a DAP (for example, the front-facing camera).

The good news is that you *can* pick up a full-featured egg now for $399 while supplies last!

[ edited Jul 28 (2009) 12:01PM ]



Michael
Location: New York City
Comments: 2786
 		Jul 28 (2009) 12:00PM  

Alcalde see above. What is your interpretation of why there are two models shown in the FCC report? A device called the Zii Egg specifically stated as a developer edition and one seemingly identical model w/o the Egg and developer labeling?

[ edited Jul 28 (2009) 12:01PM ]



alcalde

Comments: 113
 		Jul 28 (2009) 12:04PM  

I found the HDMI the last time I read through all that FCC stuff... let me read through it again and see what I can fathom this time. If there's two different models being tested, there ought to be some specific mention of that in all the tests....



Michael
Location: New York City
Comments: 2786
 		Jul 28 (2009) 12:28PM  

I've contacted Creative, so hopefully I do hear something a bit more concrete.

If they really don't intend on making a consumer model, it'll be the biggest tease ever. It'd also be pretty disappointing in general as that would indicate to me that Creative is basically out of the MP3 player business and solely into the OEM business. Well maybe they'll still release smallish players, but nothing high-end like this.

The picture of the two versions in the FCC still leaves me with hope though. You never do know with Creative however. This really seems like an easy opportunity for them to release a highly competitive device, but if they're going to weigh the investment of Zii on the hopes that the player gets rebranded by some Chinese manufacturers then I think they're crazy.
[ edited Jul 28 (2009) 12:29PM ]



alcalde

Comments: 113
 		Jul 28 (2009) 12:35PM  

Ok, they're clearly testing only one device. Here's one possible interpretation to explain the dual images... one shows where the label would be on the version being sold to developers, one shows where the label would be on the devices that, once developed and branded by someone else, would be sold to the public.

What we have so far are official words from Zii Labs that indicate a development platform is being sold, and one picture in the FCC document that can't be definitively said to indicate that Creative itself will directly market a consumer version.

One the one hand, it doesn't seem to make sense that Creative would have such a powerful, Touch-killing device and not want to market it themselves, but on the other hand, why a big press release and video regarding the developer version and nothing regarding a consumer version from Creative proper? Could Creative recruit developers and undercut them with their own consumer model at the same time? Is Creative hunting for someone with a better retail channel or more cash on hand? Will Creative release their own version only as a last resort? I don't know and it's driving me crazy!

I'm still trying to figure out this Plaszma. I was thinking it was running on top of Android, but the SDK is claimed to have direct C/C++ support and I thought Android only directly ran Java-esque apps.



epithetless
Location: Boston, Mass
Comments: 149
 		Jul 28 (2009) 12:37PM  

Sebhelyesfarku, what indication do you have that this will feature gapless playback? Its encouragement of open-source development? I want gapless as much as the next person (well, probably more), but I'm not optimistic the consumer version (if, in fact, there is a consumer version -- though I'm with Michael on this one) will have it...since gaplessness requires a change to the way the device handles decoding, and not just a separately-written app. It might be possible, I suppose, to develop an entirely different, full-fledged playback application with gaplessness integrated, but having to open a separate app to play your music seems a bit clunky and certainly not ideal as far as UI seamlessness goes.
[ edited Jul 28 (2009) 12:39PM ]



Michael
Location: New York City
Comments: 2786
 		Jul 28 (2009) 12:53PM  

alcalade thanks for checking into it. I also looked and yeah it does appear that they're testing one device.. It could simply be that both devices are identical and thus there'd only be a need to test one.

The Plaszma is a total SDK platform. I too thought it was just a modified version of Android, but like you said, one has is using C++ and the other Java. The SDK kits itself comprises of the Plaszma OS, the ZMS-05 Chip, and a version of Android optimized for the Zii.
[ edited Jul 28 (2009) 12:54PM ]



alcalde

Comments: 113
 		Jul 28 (2009) 02:09PM  

I think it's safe to say we'll be seeing a consumer version of the Zii; the only variable is who's going to be releasing it. Hmmm... what do you think of this?



The Dap Review Zii: 600% Edition!



undesign

Comments: 786
 		Jul 28 (2009) 02:17PM  

Only way I'll be interested in this thing is if the following are done right;

1) MSC/UMS. I dont like being forced to use software to put music on my mp3 player. That and the fact that im on a Mac.

2) Battery life. If its over 30 hours, I'll give it a thought.

3) Integrated libraries between internal memory and sd card. If I have music on both, all music should appear on ONE list. Why is this so difficult?

4) Not mandatory but a huge plus; gapless.



DapHunter

Comments: 82
 		Jul 28 (2009) 02:32PM  

If they are going to rely on OEM production then we may never see the fully loaded version, as the producing company might pick and choose what features they want and not implement the rest.

The list of features is impressive, but I think for US it will remain just a list.



alcalde

Comments: 113
 		Jul 28 (2009) 02:58PM  

undesign:

1. There's syncing software that works for Linux now; there's still no solution for Mac?

2. Audio life or video life? If the Creative Zen has a 30+hour audio life, and the Zii chip is ultra-low-power. The Zen has a 550mAH battery and the specs of the Zii Egg say 1200mAH battery, so I'd guess you'll be seeing more than 30 hour audio life.

3. I don't think it's difficult; I think it hurts sales of higher-priced memory models though so Creative didn't bother. Since the Zii literature talks about $199 for a 0GB device that would let users choose their own memory capacity via SDHC card, I don't think this device has any problems dealing with SDHC cards.

4. Someday I'm gonna create a player that plays every tune on it AT THE SAME TIME for the ultimate gapless experience and I expect I'll get sales from all of you gapless fans.

DAPHunter: You're right about the Egg most likely being a fully-loaded development platform that might not see OEM release. HOWEVER... nothing's stopping anyone from buying a Zii Egg for themselves right now other than the price, but at the moment they're offering the SDK for $399 and including an Egg for free while supplies last. That's less than the price of two Cowon S9 32GBs so it's not unthinkable while the deal lasts. Maybe they'll see so much consumer demand they'll be forced to release it themselves.



alcalde

Comments: 113
 		Jul 28 (2009) 03:09PM  

I'm still gobsmacked that other hardware vendors haven't jumped on the Zii already before the Egg. If we here could see the awesome potential of the chip, you'd think engineers at other firms would have had to. NVidia didn't have to use YouTube to get Microsoft to adopt Tegra for the Zune (not that I know of anyway). Samsung looks to have something in the works, so why not Sansa or Cowon or iRiver? I mean, right now the folks at Meizu are smacking their heads on their desks saying "THAT'S what we've been trying to build these last few years! We just needed a Zii to rip-off, I mean beat Apple!"

It's interesting though the relatively short time between the announcement of the Zii and a development board and the demo of the ultimate handheld DAP with every feature conceivable, the porting of Android, development of a DAP-centric Linux, etc. (5-6 months). While they're obviously familiar with the chip since it was made by a subsidiary, a lot of the speed is probably do to the fact that the Zii does so much in one chip.



DapHunter

Comments: 82
 		Jul 28 (2009) 03:22PM  

alcalde,
I hope you are right. However, $400 is way too much for any gadget for me.




bloodycape

Comments: 705
 		Jul 28 (2009) 03:52PM  

Lets just hope this has Sony or Cowon quality sq, and a vq that will blow away the touch.

And I think with the right software you can have gapless after all this is an andriod based device. Heck I think once saw software that claimed gapless for WM device.



TheDarkSide
Location: Qns Vlg - NYC - USA
Comments: 298
 		Jul 28 (2009) 04:43PM  

I'm in love people!!! I'm getting this over the ZHD, if they produce a commercial consumer model. From the sounds of it though, it's be for re-branding only. Hope that's a fallacy, as it would be foolish of Creative to let this NOT be a player their proud of. This thing actually ROCKS!!!



Bloodflowerz
Location: London, UK
Comments: 14
 		Jul 28 (2009) 04:49PM  

Err, where's the lossless codec? Where's the OLED display? They better make it to the final retail version or I think I will give this a miss...
[ edited Jul 28 (2009) 04:50PM ]



Juxxy

Comments: 3
 		Jul 28 (2009) 05:00PM  

If you look over the site, it does seem like that this is an OEM/Developer thing only. As the whole site seems dedicated to showing what the Zii chip is capable of rather then what a great consumer device this will be, and selling these devices in bulk. So I guess we'll have to wait for others to pick this up and rebrand/rejig the features as they see fit until it turns up in the general consumers hands. Although I do still hope Creative release it under their own brand because the only thing that would stop me buying it immediately is the lack of phone functionality.



mmss939

Comments: 16
 		Jul 28 (2009) 05:02PM  

omg im speechless...



alcalde

Comments: 113
 		Jul 28 (2009) 07:09PM  

Ok, now I'm confused again if Creative wants out of direct-selling DAPs. They'd farm this out but put their name on the Moo???

Then I was thinking about the pic I posted... maybe we should form a consortium and bring this to market ourselves. The Zii has the capability to rise to the top of the charts. I *almost* convinced Jenn at Pocketables to import a MID from China that some readers were drooling over. This would be more difficult, but... whoever puts their name on this thing first stands to make a lot of money. Someone draw up a business plan and shanghai DesignFabulous....!allgood



Design Fabulous

Comments: 1038
 		Jul 28 (2009) 07:14PM  

I'm still very puzzled by this device. So far I'm interpreting this as a hardware platform for developers. I personally am not too excited for this as platforms like the iPhone open for software developers have only brought us a huge wave of low quality software. I don't want to see the same with hardware.

Well, other than that, I do think that the Egg looks like a wonderful device, especially with a full sized SD slot. I'll just have to wait before I judge this device any further.



cheaplikeafox

Comments: 11
 		Jul 28 (2009) 08:51PM  

I wonder why they didn't demonstrate the "• Capacitive 10-point multi-gesture touch display" in the video?

so far this looks pretty nice...surprising too. too bad there's no OLED. I wonder how much it will cost...

they have an interesting range of GB capacities too...

so is anyone going to buy this for $400 and try it out for us?
[ edited Jul 28 (2009) 08:52PM ]



TheDarkSide
Location: Qns Vlg - NYC - USA
Comments: 298
 		Jul 29 (2009) 09:21AM  

>so is anyone going to buy this for $400 and try it out for us?

Well, I could suggest someone,....................



Pondlife

Comments: 507
 		Jul 29 (2009) 09:35AM  

But we've not seen DaHarder for a while lol



alcalde

Comments: 113
 		Jul 29 (2009) 10:28AM  

For a long time I've been obsessed with trying to build my own DAP, but I'm more a software guy than a hardware guy, and more higher-level programming than device driver/core OS programming. I loved the Zii chip because it handled so much on one chip. I'd found places that built custom cases, printed custom circuit boards, etc. but figured it'd still be a challenge to get hardware working. I wanted to build something that ran Linux so a lot of the low-level stuff would already be working or easily cobbled together. I dreamed of putting together a Zii-based system that could run Linux and had a speaker, microphone, wireless and SDHC card slot among other things, then being able to go to town on it with my software ideas (I still think a voice-command DAP for easy use while driving a car is a killer feature for instance).

Well, the Zii Egg is basically what I've been dreaming of/planning for a year and a half! A powerful system-on-chip that runs Linux and in this case, has every piece of hardware already installed and available, with a Linux-based OS and SDK ready for hacking! Certainly a lot easier than soldering it myself.

It might take me many months to save up the spare change given my current economic situation, but eventually I've got to have one of these things. You just might see another company release it or a Zii 2: Omelet Edition before I've got a review for you. I mean my current plan to quickest acquisition so far is selling my digital camera and using the proceeds to bankroll an attempt to win the rest of the required loot at the racetrack.





omarceja_s
Location: Mexico
Comments: 1
 		Jul 29 (2009) 10:31AM  

there is a consumer product called simply zii
creative is pretty much selling everything, from the chip itself, to the module so that a company can just insert it into a different casing or the zii egg which they could fast release by just working on the software side and sticking their name on the back. It's just a new business model for creative, regardless of that they will be the first ones to release this baby to the masses in the form of the zii, it's unknown if it will carry the same features but given the fact that it has the same form factor and went thru the fcc the same way the zii egg did (hence the need to test only one of them) we could assume they both are pretty much the same, leaving differences to the software side I guess, let's hope the announcement of the consumer edition takes place soon



TheDarkSide
Location: Qns Vlg - NYC - USA
Comments: 298
 		Jul 29 (2009) 11:48AM  

I've been wondering about DaHarder myself, as this would be an exceptional toy for his collection. I hope he's doing ok, I really miss his input!!!



alcalde

Comments: 113
 		Jul 29 (2009) 06:17PM  

Ok now you're getting me worried... what if his DAP collection is on the second floor of his house and he sleeps on the first floor and....



alcalde

Comments: 113
 		Jul 29 (2009) 08:15PM  

Ok, if you want a Zii Egg, my advice is... Horse #10, Roman Counsel, to show in the 8th at Del Mar going off in 14 minutes.



alcalde

Comments: 113
 		Jul 29 (2009) 08:33PM  

Ok, if you took my advice, you wouldn't be able to afford a 2GB Sansa clip right now....



DapHunter

Comments: 82
 		Jul 30 (2009) 09:21AM  

Honestly, the more I think about this device the less interested I am.

If I wanted what this is primarily about I would get a iPod Touch, I had one at one point and it died on me. While it was alive it wasn't that special, but now the app pool is bigger.

The ONLY way this would interest me is if it was somehow different or had a zillion awesome apps.

If I want games I would go for a PSPGo, right? This thin is hitting the market with no traction or momentum and is going to bomb.

Creative should have played to their base and released a worthy ZVM successor, not a iPod/iPhone clone with no phone.

That being said (anybody hate that phrase?) in person this thing might be more than the sum of its parts and succeed. Where as every Creative product seems to be somehow less than the sum of its parts.

...just sayin'


JimmyK

Comments: 8
 		Jul 30 (2009) 10:01AM  

I suspect that *this* may be the mystery device that Dell is going to be branding and selling, possibly as a phone. Remember that Dell and Creative have a history: Creative manufactured the Dell DJ back in the day.



Michael
Location: New York City
Comments: 2786
 		Jul 30 (2009) 12:25PM  

Daphunter,

As much as most of us would like a ZVM successor, you should know the industry has pretty much moved past HDD players. Also consider touchscreen devices are the hottest trend right now, so it's actually a good move for Creative to attempt something like this.

You say it's not much more than an iPhone clone. Okay sure, but the main draw for me is the open-source Android platform. That right there completely sets it apart from Apple's more locked in software ecosystem.

I have no idea how well this thing will do. I haven't really agreed with Creative's business decisions for a long time now, but I am still pleasantly surprised that they could come out with something like this despite losing millions pretty much every financial quarter. I expected them to call it quits before making something as high-end as this.

Dismissing this as simply a clone is a bit short-sighted considering this has a combination of features that no other device has all in one. Bluetooth, X-Fi, WiFi, Android, an HD camera, 3D games, accelerometer, GPS receiver etc. That's pretty much someone's wish list right there

I don't think anyone really expects this to go head-to head with Apple in terms of sales. In fact, it's still unknown what form this will reach the consumer. I still believe Creative will make their own version of this model with a name like the "ZEN Zii" and will provide app and widget support. I do agree that app support would make it more desirable, but to me, it's already a pretty damn desirable device.

[ edited Jul 30 (2009) 12:28PM ]



alcalde

Comments: 113
 		Jul 30 (2009) 03:48PM  

>If I wanted what this is primarily about I would get a
>iPod Touch.

What about the iPod Touch makes you consider it a better purchase?

>While it was alive it wasn't that special....

What features of a DAP would you consider special?


>The ONLY way this would interest me is if it was
>somehow different or had a zillion awesome apps.

Given the enormous set of features, what makes you believe it's not different from other DAPs? Which DAPs is it similar to?

Given its open nature and Linux and Android support, it does have support for a zillion awesome apps.




>If I want games I would go for a PSPGo, right?

And if you wanted everything, you'd go for a Zii Egg.

>This thin is hitting the market with no traction or
>momentum and is going to bomb.

Some of us aren't sure it's hitting the market per se, but what about a device that has every feature one can imagine would cause it to bomb?

>Creative should have played to their base and released
>a worthy ZVM successor, not a iPod/iPhone clone with
>no phone.

1. What about this makes it not a worthy ZVM successor? It has a larger screen, higher resolution, x-fi sound, larger capacity (32GB+32GB SDHC), more codec support, HDMI out, etc. not to mention all of the things that the ZVM never had such as wireless and camera.

2. Apple released an iPod/iPhone clone with no phone and its done pretty well for itself.

>That being said (anybody hate that phrase?) in person
>this thing might be more than the sum of its parts

My spreadsheet lacks the precision to calculate a sum higher than the total of the Zii Egg's parts, as its parts number pretty close to infinity already.

Michael: "I do agree that app support would make it more desirable...."

Depending on the degree to which Plazma is standard Linux, the touchscreen emulates a mouse and the availablitiy of an on-screen keyboard, I imagine much Linux software should be recompilable and able to run on the Zii Egg. Folks have been able to get a lot of Linux software running on Nokia's N810 which runs Maemo linux, a derivative of Debian Linux. It just hit me that except for a slide-out hardware keyboard, the Zii Egg is an N810-killer, too, and probably a killer of what's going to replace the N810 soon.
Like the N810, you can probably install VNC on it (a program like gotomypc) and remotely control apps running on another system with it. Imagine having a windows desktop on your Zii Egg... even play Crysis at 2fps...


...just sayin'



Shippy

Comments: 22
 		Jul 30 (2009) 04:19PM  

Creative hasn't mad ANYTHING good since ZVM. I don't believe this is any different.



cheaplikeafox

Comments: 11
 		Jul 30 (2009) 07:43PM  

here's more info on the zii from Cnet News Asia
[Linky]

they said creative would develop a consumer edition too
[ edited Jul 30 (2009) 07:44PM ]



TheDarkSide
Location: Qns Vlg - NYC - USA
Comments: 298
 		Aug 01 (2009) 08:07PM  

Thanks for the info, but we've already seen the cnet asia article and video. Besides, I crave NEW news at this point. I'm really anxious to see if this will have games available when released - I'll need my Bejeweled fix!!!



DapHunter

Comments: 82
 		Aug 03 (2009) 01:26PM  

Thanks guys,
I want to say that this is a platform, not a product.

The fact is that IF a mainstream vendor picks it up and produces a product based on this then it will remain to be seen if they will implement everything you are all excited about.

Dudes, also, don't get me wrong, i am being pretty negative, but hoping for the best. HOWEVER, with Samsung and Microsoft going with tegra, who would go ZII? Meizu?!??!



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TheDarkSide
Personally, I didn't buy any of those clips, great deal nonetheless - enjoy!!!!

DaHarder
TDS...

I couldn't help myself - In for 3 of those WOOTs - LOL!

DaHarder
Yea! It's here Android 2.1 for the DROID

TheDarkSide
Sandisk Sansa Clip 8GB MP3 Player for $32.99 on woot: [Linky]

Dominic
lol

Step666
[Linky]

TheDarkSide
Forgot the link: [Linky]

TheDarkSide
OMG!!!! I can't post the meaning of my name, but #2 & #3 is actually me. But, I did get a decent amount of action cause I'm great @#1,............

Dominic
That's great...my skills are average at best

Step666
Yeah but my one's true


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