Original URL: http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/05/03/creative_launch_mp3_zen_stone/
Creative is to cater for those "with an active lifestyle" with a new entry-level MP3 player range dubbed the Zen Stone - a compact gadget designed to take the fight to Apple's iPod Shuffle.
The Stone is also remarkably reminiscent of the similar sounding Pebble (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/03/16/review_amp_pebble_mp3/), but it's the Shuffle (http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2006/11/03/review_apple_ipod_shuffle_2g/) that Creative has its eye on.
The tiny Stony player measures 5.3 x 3.5 x 1.2cm and weighs in at just 18.3g, so it's slightly larger than the Shuffle, but offers the same 1GB memory. The Zen supports MP3, WMA, WMA DRM 9 and Audible formats, and has a predicted ten-hour battery life.
Creative said the Stone will be available in six flavours - black, white, red, blue, pink and green - and will be priced at €40/£27.
A range of super sporty accompanying accessories will also be available, including silicon skins, armband, keychain and case. Creative said the Stone requires a Windows XP or Vista PC. It didn't mention Mac OS X, but then this is often the case yet products still work with a Mac. We'll just have to wait until we get a sample to review to find out...
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