14 DAY TRIAL // Creative Labs is getting closer to the day it will introduce the new Zen X-Fi; it will be added to its Zen series of portable media players. The new player has a few more features than the rest of the series, making it somehow different. It includes Creative's X-Fi technology, but also has WiFi and support for instant messaging, and it features four more buttons along the edges of the D-pad, besides the original control layout of the series.
The player has nine round little buttons which provide good functionality for IM, just like a phone keypad. The touch-screen technology is not available yet, and that may be considered a minus for Creative's new player.
Music streaming to the player is available when connected to a wireless network through the included WiFi. The company also announced the availability of a paid-for "music rental" service, but users can also stream music from their home PC. Some specifications on the user guide suggest that only some versions of Zen X-Fi will feature the WiFi options, and not the entire model series.
The X-Fi can be turned on and off from the menu, and it comes in two options, X-Fi Crystalizer, and X-Fi Expand. The first option has been designed to restore details that were lost during compression of audio files, making them clearer, as to get close to the original quality. The second option is meant to give sound a more natural feel, creating the illusion of attending a live performance on stage. When used with earphones or headphones, X-Fi Expand works best.
As the entire Zen series, the new player will also feature an SD card slot, still located on the top of the device. Other features include a built-in speaker, located at the bottom of the player, support for MP3, WMA, unprotected AAC, WAV and Audible files, support for WMV, MPEG4-SP, DivX 4/5, XviD and MJPEG video files, an FM tuner and a microphone for voice recording, as well as up to 36h battery life for music and 5h battery life for video play.
Creative's new Central software is also featured by the player, which will be supplied along with a new pair of headphones, known as the Creative EP-830, available separately as well. As the player is featured and some variations of it can also be spotted, it seems to be in the final stages of development, so we should expect the company to officially announce it during the next months.