[Peter]

There's no need to go round in circles with the Zen Micro's intuitive Vertical Touch Pad. Designed to let you easily navigate through your music, you can be sure to find any song or data file with ease.

You will never be without your favourite music with Zen Micro. Squeezed into its micro-sized casing is the capacity to store an astounding 2,500 songs on its 5GB hard drive1, and it keeps your music going for up to 12 hours2 on a single battery charge with its removable, rechargeable Li-ion battery3. Shuffle your songs or albums with the DJ Play mode, or tune in to the latest songs on the pop charts with the radio. Whatever you're listening to, enjoy the superior sound quality and clarity of a hi-fi that fits easily in your pocket.

Not only does it play music, the Zen Micro helps you keep your life organized too. The mini-organizer consists of a calendar, an address book and a to-do-list. Keep track of all your business appointments or classes. Sync up your Microsoft® Outlook® email addresses, calendar notes in your home or office PCs with Zen Micro. Need to record lectures, business meetings, or just love the sound of your voice? The built-in microphone lets you to create and store voice memos with the built-in voice recorder.

Created in 10 attractive colors and with a mesmerizing blue backlight glow, FM tuner and FM recording with 32 preset stations, USB 2.0 for fast transfer of files and 8 preset EQ settings, the Creative Zen Micro packs so much into something so small. Now, whoever said small had to mean minimal?

[Landos Mustache]

Not bad but I can't see anyone wanting it over a Mini.

[Mastrap]

I like the features, especially the radio. Now if only Creative would employ a decent industrial designer....

[dillerX]

bwhahaha.

[FulcrumPilot]

oops, double post demon got me!

[FulcrumPilot]

"curved to fit" where? what?

Mesmirising oh yes! but mini killer? No way!! Not even close.

ow good is the FM function anyway in these gadgies?

[effgee]

features look decent enough ... but that thing looks like an old cell phone embedded in jello ... yuu-uck.

[turtle777]

I'm so tired of all these iPod / iPod mini killers coming on a daily basis.



-t

[Landos Mustache]

Originally posted by Mastrap:
I like the features, especially the radio. Now if only Creative would employ a decent industrial designer....

I can't understand why if anyone has 3000 songs in their pocket would they ever want to listen to some chatter on the radio.

[MindFad]

I'm sorry, what? I was mesmerized by the blue LCD. I mean ... it's ... blue.... <drool>

[Peter]

Originally posted by MindFad:
I'm sorry, what? I was mesmerized by the blue LCD. I mean ... it's ... blue.... <drool>

nooo

[Superchicken]

Ahh! Why did I waste my money on this really freaking sweet mini when I could have had one of these and had all my files in WMA!

[Xeo]

I always find it funny how everything Apple does gets copied. I mean, what does Apple do that doesn't get copied?

As for this player. Price? I can't find it listed anywhere on their website. Their "order now" button doesn't work, and there is a "call to pre-order" button that just takes you to the product page. A couple things look nice on this, though, specifically the removable, rechargeable battery and built-in mic. I notice they snuck in just about every color of the mini by hiding it among the rest of the colors.

Competition is a good thing, though.

[ManOfSteal]

New Ugliness!

[storer]

Originally posted by Landos Mustache:
Not bad but I can't see anyone wanting it over a Mini.

[CharlesS]

This device looks better than the iPod Mini.

Why? Because it is able to record audio.

Unfortunately, the specs don't seem to say whether it uses an external microphone or a built-in one. It would also be nice to know what sample rate it uses, but if the recording specs turn out to be decent, this could be quite a better alternative to the iPod Mini. Sure, it's ugly, but the iPod is useless to me without the ability to record.

[OAW]

That's actually a pretty slick looking device. Not as nice as the iPod Mini, but definitely something that one wouldn't be embarrassed to display next to someone who did have an iPod mini. I like the fact that the battery is removable and rechargeable. That eliminates the issue of the battery dying with no easy way to replace it.

OAW

[vmpaul]

Originally posted by FulcrumPilot:
"curved to fit" where? what?

Mesmirising oh yes! but mini killer? No way!! Not even close.

That's my first reaction. 'Curved to fit' what?

Probably available in mid-2006, I presume.

But who can resist the 'Mesmirizing' blue light?

[TheBadgerHunter]

Anyone who buys or bought an iPod mini should be shot anyway.

[MacNStein]

Ouch. Damn, that's ugly.

[Mastrap]

Originally posted by Landos Mustache:
I can't understand why if anyone has 3000 songs in their pocket would they ever want to listen to some chatter on the radio.

News and weather. I like to be informed.

[Superchicken]

Originally posted by CharlesS:
This device looks better than the iPod Mini.

Why? Because it is able to record audio.

Unfortunately, the specs don't seem to say whether it uses an external microphone or a built-in one. It would also be nice to know what sample rate it uses, but if the recording specs turn out to be decent, this could be quite a better alternative to the iPod Mini. Sure, it's ugly, but the iPod is useless to me without the ability to record.

Apple makes a great thing capable of recording from either a built in or external Mic... even USB... that'd right, it's called an iBook.

[MacNStein]

Originally posted by Mastrap:
News and weather. I like to be informed.

I prefer reading the news, not listening to it.

Guess I'm old fashioned... those new-fangled radio things will never take off.

[hardcat1970]

it looks like a nokia cell phone.

[hagheid]

Yet another ipod killer
I SAID YET ANOTHER KILLER!

[effgee]

Originally posted by MacNStein:
I prefer reading the news, not listening to it. Guess I'm old fashioned... those new-fangled radio things will never take off.

Consequently - shouldn't you be hiring a piano player instead of listening to music on your iPod?

[Landos Mustache]

Originally posted by Superchicken:
Apple makes a great thing capable of recording from either a built in or external Mic... even USB... that'd right, it's called an iBook.

Ya mine fits wonderfully in my pocket.

[effgee]

Originally posted by Landos Mustache:
Ya mine fits wonderfully in my pocket.

Excuses. It's just a question of wearing the right pair of pants ...

• 

[Landos Mustache]

Originally posted by effgee:
Excuses. It's just a question of wearing the right pair of pants ...

Makes you wonder what sort of fat pants superchicken wears.

[RonnieoftheRose]

The latest iPod killer comes from the middle-east. Rub the iLamp to select and scrub through songs. What's more, it holds as many songs as iGenie inside can remember. Want to sync it with your Mac? Play your favorite songs in iTunes to iGenie and he'll remember them the best he can. Please leave room for improvisation and humming.

It's very portable. The handle makes it very easy to carry around. It's also wireless and has no need for batteries. For more information visit http://www.cherryos.com

[MacNStein]

Originally posted by effgee:
Consequently - shouldn't you be hiring a piano player instead of listening to music on your iPod?

I spend a considerable amount of time at the piano, actually. For a while there, I even made some $ playing in lounges in So Cal (wow, that was an embarrassing time in my life ). It's just hard to carry a baby grand in my jacket pocket.

[CharlesS]

Originally posted by Superchicken:
Apple makes a great thing capable of recording from either a built in or external Mic... even USB... that'd right, it's called an iBook.

Hey, iBooks are small, but they're not that small.

Also, iBooks also start at $1099, whereas iPods start at $299, and Minis at $249.

In short:

[demograph68]

i actually like it, though i'm not a fan of the smaller hd player types.

[Superchicken]

Originally posted by CharlesS:
Hey, iBooks are small, but they're not that small.

Also, iBooks also start at $1099, whereas iPods start at $299, and Minis at $249.

In short:

What the heck do you need to record? And why? And how would you sort them?

The iPod is not a PDA it's a music player. Thus since recording does not involve playing music... I don't see what your point is.

[CharlesS]

Originally posted by Superchicken:
What the heck do you need to record? And why?

Try clicking on my profile. Maybe you'll figure it out.

And how would you sort them?

I care not. The audio files would be transferred to my Mac (via FireWire, which would be loads better than with my current MiniDisc since 1) I wouldn't have to play it back in real time while playing, and 2) I wouldn't have to go to the university music and dance department tech lab to do it since my MD player has no line out or optical out, just crappy headphone ports). Once on my Mac, I could rename them to whatever I wanted, so I really don't care how the iPod would sort them. I suppose it could do whatever it currently does when you record those horrible 8 khz mono audio files with the recorders currently available from Belkin and Griffin.

The iPod is not a PDA it's a music player. Thus since recording does not involve playing music... I don't see what your point is.

Recording and playing music go hand in hand.

Other MP3 players (like this Zen Micro thing) let you record audio as well as play it back.

MiniDisc lets you record audio as well as play it back.

Even the old cassette players let you record audio as well as play it back!!

Recording music has a lot more to do with the function of a music player than a color screen to watch movies on which is rumored in another thread. WTF do you need that for in a music device with a 2-inch screen?!

[11011001]

Originally posted by manofsteal:
New Ugliness!

I laughed.

[d4nth3m4n]

Originally posted by MindFad:
I'm sorry, what? I was mesmerized by the blue LCD. I mean ... it's ... blue.... <drool>

this is easily the fourth visit to this thread today. can't believe it took me this long.

[RonnieoftheRose]

Forget the election. Bush should throw in the towel and give his belt to Kerry.

[Lancer409]

Originally posted by manofsteal:
New Ugliness!

lol

[Cadaver]

Originally posted by vmpaul:
That's my first reaction. 'Curved to fit' what?

Maybe its "curved for her pleasure...?"

[MrForgetable]

'no need to go in circles'

[Xeo]

Originally posted by CharlesS:
This device looks better than the iPod Mini.

Why? Because it is able to record audio.

Unfortunately, the specs don't seem to say whether it uses an external microphone or a built-in one. It would also be nice to know what sample rate it uses, but if the recording specs turn out to be decent, this could be quite a better alternative to the iPod Mini. Sure, it's ugly, but the iPod is useless to me without the ability to record.

The first post states it has a built-in mic.

[Stogieman]

From Creative's website:
"2.5 times more song capacity - The Zen Micro with 5GB of storage capacity carries up to 2,500 (WMA, 64kbps) songs, and it lets the listener choose MP3 or WMA music, ripped from CDs or downloaded from online music sites."

Looks like Creative is regurgitating the same B.S. Sony did when it comes to discussing the storage capacity of their players. Can you even buy music in 64kbps from those other online stores?

[Peter]

WMA doomed.

[CharlesS]

Originally posted by Xeo:
The first post states it has a built-in mic.

Guess I should have said only a built-in mic, which is what I meant. I can't tell if it has a port for an external one or not.

Regardless of whether it does or not, if it doesn't, there are others on the market. I just wish I could go with an Apple product instead of something else...

[Randman]

Available in (Singapore, at least) in November for about US$285. It looks like the ugly bastard child of an iPod and Nokia candy bar phone, but without any of the attractive features of either. ... But, oooh, wma at 64! Such sound quality.

[Captain Obvious]

Originally posted by Randman:
Available in (Singapore, at least) in November for about US$285.

That's just a horrible price point. It has no established reputation, name recognition, or even buzz about the product. If someone wants to make an iPod killer they need to start the price below $199.

[hayesk]

"There's no need to go round in circles with the Zen Micro's intuitive Vertical Touch Pad. Designed to let you easily navigate through your music, you can be sure to find any song or data file with ease."

BWAAAA HA HA HA! Yeah, because I'd much rather make several separate thumb motions where only half of the motions actually scroll the list. I love having a sore thumb. Who would want one single fluid motion that adjusts scrolling automatically according to speed?

Idiots.

[Millennium]

Originally posted by hayesk:
"There's no need to go round in circles with the Zen Micro's intuitive Vertical Touch Pad. Designed to let you easily navigate through your music, you can be sure to find any song or data file with ease."

BWAAAA HA HA HA! Yeah, because I'd much rather make several separate thumb motions where only half of the motions actually scroll the list. I love having a sore thumb. Who would want one single fluid motion that adjusts scrolling automatically according to speed?

Idiots.

Exactly. This is why the scroll wheel works, and it's what Apple's competitors don't understand (or, perhaps, are prohibited from doing; does Apple have a patent on this thing?)

Dials don't work well on computer interfaces, as we found with the disaster that was QuickTime 4.0. However, they work [i]extremely[/] well with hardware interfaces, if they are used carefully. Apple's scroll wheel is one such case. It's kind of ironic that the same company would produce the best and the worst of dial-based interfaces.

[icruise]

Originally posted by Millennium:
Exactly. This is why the scroll wheel works, and it's what Apple's competitors don't understand (or, perhaps, are prohibited from doing; does Apple have a patent on this thing?)

Yes they do. Do you think no company would have tried using it if they didn't?