Creative Technology subsidiary Cambridge Soundworks will next month ship a version of its PlayDock speaker set for Apple's iPod. The company began shipping a version of the product for Creative's Zen digital music players today. Creative is the company that famously declared war (http://www.theregister.co.uk/2004/11/18/creative_vs_apple/) on the iPod. Nowadays, if you can't beat 'em, join 'em.

The $200 PlayDock Zen and PlayDock i run off either the mains or batteries for portability. Cambridge Soundworks said the speakers are set for wide spacial imaging, and there's a built-in sub-woofer to boost the bass output.

Each PlayDock ships with an infra-red remote control unit. They're magnetically shielded so they can be placed near a CRT TV or monitor, and contain TV-out ports to allow video content stored on either Zen or iPod to be played on the small screen. There's a telescopic aerial on the back to improve reception of FM tuner-equipped Zens.

The PlayDock Zen works with the Zen Vision:M, V and V Plus players. The PlayDock i will work with the 4G and 5G iPod, iPod Mini and iPod Nano. ®

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