ZiiLabs to Demo High Def Android/ZMS-05 Model at MWC
The heavily hyped ZMS-05 processor will finally get its first real demo at the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona beginning on Monday of next week. The demo unit, which will likely be just a ZMS SDK with a input device, will be the first public hands on with something other than the basic Linux architecture the chip is built on. This is big news, because Google’s open source operating system has just begun to take hold in the world market, and there are many companies coming out with Android-based phones this year. If customers like the Android OS, then it will only increase the demand for phones that run it, and thus will increase demand for chips inside them. Additionally, the demo is to prove to the world that Creative is plunging headfirst into a heavily competed in market, and they have to prove they have a superior product to compete. It’s the first Android device to have any type of HD capabilities- this will likely not be for the phone itself (seems pointless on such a small device), but it’s more than likely for playing back via a HDMI output jack on the device. We’ll be sure to post the demonstration and more information as it comes out on Monday.
Creative Outlet to Shut Down
Singapore’s Business Times Online is reporting (subscription required) that the concept store on Marina Square in Singapore is among the latest victims of Creative’s plan to survive this global economic meltdown. With its worst losses in nearly three years, the 208 square meter store, originally opened in 2006, was among the first notable victims of the company’s plan to “evaluate the structure of [their] field organizations” as announced by Creative US President Craig McHugh. The stores at Plaza Singapura and the International Business Park are not affected by this at this time, and will remain as Creative’s only two retail stores.
Via MyCreativeFansite
BT Article Mirror: Retrenchment Blog Singapore
New Creative Player in 2009
Something is coming. We don’t know if it’s Creative’s big salvo against the iTouch, but it’s highly likely Creative is releasing a touchscreen player in 2009. Why? A neat little article on India’s Enterpriser website neatly lays out what is coming in 2009. Included in this plan is an upgrade to the ZEN line with higher capacity players, easier UIs and a more stylish design. It’s that time of year that makes us Creative fans get really excited, and makes us start dreaming of what our dream Creative player would be.
Creative Zii Platform Unveiled
Everything you did know about Creative has changed. Creative began with CEO Sim Wong Hoo developing an add on memory board for the Apple II. Welcome to the new generation of Creative Technology. Creative now is beginning their push into the processing market. They today unveiled the ZMS-05, a new supercomputing processor that is designed to work with a multitude of devices. It technically is a system on a chip. The ZMS-05 supports web browsing, HD playback, 3D graphics, touchscreen, and much more. 3DLabs finally became a fully integrated subsidiary of the company, changing its name to ZiiLabs and will begin drawing resources from Creative’s Personal Digital Entertainment division, the largest at the company. ZiiLabs is the brand that Creative will market the new Zii chip under. Click the read link for more in-depth information, including a excellent video.
D-Day Minus One: What We Know So Far
Hang on to your horses, ladies and gentlemen. CES starts tomorrow morning in Vegas, and Creative’s Zii technology seems poised to make a run at the Best of CES award again. So far, Creative has officially unveiled a new headset, the HS-1100 with X-Fi built in. The Zii has nothing official-looking leaked other tha the screenshots below and the officially vague email sent by the company.
The most likely rumor that I’ve been informed of is that the Zii will be the spearhead behind a new lineup of integrated consumer electronic devices. What devices exactly were not part of the rumor, but I’m going to conjecture that it will involve the former Xdock HD, and a new ZEN (or other flagship player). Stay tuned!
Creative ZEN Zii Leaked?
epiZENter.net is a treasure trove of Creative leaks. Today, Michael posted a few UI screens that were leaked to him. They are likely the screens of a new ZEN, the Zii. Michael’s analysis is that a new widescreen player in the works. However, despite the relative closeness of typical Creative interfaces- the icons, the font, the yellow glow bar underneath- but Photos and FM Tuner, two hallmarks of Creative players, are missing from the screenshots. Also, Audio Books option appears. Creative also has always called their podcast section ZENcasts as well, but the ZENcast software has not been updated since February 1st, 2008, which may also mean they are abandoning that during their cost cutting methods. What do you think? I think it’s a user interface demo that shows what the Zii processor can do. The inconsistencies here are too great to ignore as a new player, but Creative said they were completely changing their business, so it’s possible that they started by consolidating their user interface.
Read the full news item over at the #1 Creative Fansite- epiZENter.
Everything You Know is About to Change
Drawing our inspiration from the intelligence of Mother Nature – who through over a billion years of evolution has designed the basic building block of life: the stem cell – we have created a stem cell-like silicon that is able to grow and multiply into different solutions and ecosystems.
With an investment that spans over 10 years, over a billion dollars and over 10,000 man-years, the world is poised to experience a breakthrough that will better lives beyond our imagination.
Even in the midst of these turbulent times, you will discover incredible recession-friendly business opportunities that enable you to thrive and prosper.
To find out more about Zii and how it can change your life, visit our booth (booth #30651) at CES 2009, or go to Zii.com from 8 January 2009 for updates.
Via Nothing But Creative / zii.com updates
Creative CES Rundown
Creative always makes a big splash at CES, as that’s where they unveiled CNET’s Best of CES Zen MicroPhoto (2005) and Zen Vision:M (2006). This year is likely to be the biggest since 2006, as the Zii is poised to make its first appearance. From what I’ve heard, the Zii will be more important than X-Fi technology to Creative over the coming years. Eagle eyed Supermonkey over at epiZENter just found another likely release at CES- a Fatal1ty branded headset. You can read the BBC article here. (more…)
Trademarks Found for “Zii”
Via a few Gizmodo readers, Creative has registered a pair of trademarks for the word Zii. It’s been registered at the US Patent and Trade Office since September, and the full text is below. Here’s a brief summary though:
First section: Lots of digital objects listed. Second section: A lot of advertising junk, and the ability to provide it online via a database. Third section: The big one. Basically allow for providing music, information, and digital services via the global communications network (internet? cell phone data networks? phone lines?). Fourth section: Audio and visual entertainment services. Fifth section: Providing on-line facilities, via a global computer network, to enable users to program the scheduling of audio, video, text and other multimedia content (Slingbox like) and more jargon. If there are any lawyers or discerning readers out there who can dissect this mess better (including those visitors from a certain corporate headquarters in Singapore), click the submit a tip link to the right. (more…)
Creative Teases the Zii
Creative will be unveiling a new processing chip at CES 2009. The chip will be called the “Zii”, a name not unlike that of Nintendo’s console. The chip might have a simplistic name, but according to their teaser site, it’s going to change everything. The Zii will be using “Stemcell computing”, whatever that means. That term has been trademarked by Creative just a couple of weeks ago, and it may raise a few eyebrows. We don’t know exactly what Creative means by Stemcell computing, but we’re definitely curious.
The chip has been top secret at Creative’s headquarters for some time now, and it looks to be one of the biggest projects they’ve invested in. We can’t reveal too much more about the chip right now, and we don’t want to spoil it for Creative. Just know this is completely different from their X-Fi audio chip and it will be used in a variety of upcoming products.
From my blog post at Tech in Hiding:
Engadget obviously already hates it. Despite no actual product announcements, images, or demonstrations, they have proclaimed it the end of Creative. For the second time (see their brief on the Zen Moo), Creative apparently has “gone off the deep end”, and additionally ripped the Wii’s logo off. Apparently they feel as if rounding the two i’s is a complete ripoff. Not like their beloved fruity company completely stole the Zen UI or anything. Seriously Engadget? Go find an iPhone to lick or something.
