Creative Zen X Fi2 8GB

===Welcome to the Creative Zen X-FI2===
'''Released - Sept 2009 - X-FI2 - UK'''
'''Storage – 8GB'''
'''RRP – 99.99 GBP'''
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'''Introduction'''
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It’s been barely one year since the debut of the X-FI and the X-FI2 is fully loaded and equipped for you the techie masses. A month is a long-time in the world of an abundant MP3 market-place. The ...
...compete with the iPod. – Creative certainly has the backing of many major businesses within the technologies available. So I might as well stick my head out of the window and broadcast a stance that 2010 could be very much a ‘Creative’ year; and it started in the last three months of 2009. - Instead of keeping the ever so squared edged portable media player that still emulates the creative product recognition identity. Creative have been listening ... more

Welcome to the Creative Zen X-FI2

Released - Sept 2009 - X-FI2 - UK
Storage – 8GB
RRP – 99.99 GBP
======================================================
Introduction
--------------
It’s been barely one year since the debut of the X-FI and the X-FI2 is fully loaded and equipped for you the techie masses. A month is a long-time in the world of an abundant MP3 market-place. The most contested area in the digital media world. Creative may have sent the potato-head into production into recent years; but is it a ploy for something else to emerge that will at least compete with the iPod. – Creative certainly has the backing of many major businesses within the technologies available. So I might as well stick my head out of the window and broadcast a stance that 2010 could be very much a ‘Creative’ year; and it started in the last three months of 2009. - Instead of keeping the ever so squared edged portable media player that still emulates the creative product recognition identity. Creative have been listening to critics who like me would like a more navigation friendly interface with better aesthetic product awareness.

A Creative Finger Job
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The X-FI could of really been overlooked from a consumer point of view, now the X-FI2 has made an entrance that has embarked on Creatives first ever touch-screen portable media player, so Creative has done away with their dreadful button display at last; which will inevitably improve ratings. They’ve kept the home menu button and have incorporated touch-screen interactivity for every other part of the user navigation. It will take time for me to swing through the trees, as I perfect my swift finger motion, skimping through the screen set-up. – I’ve cajoled with many portable media players, but this one is honestly different. Nothing like what I have related to how a Creative product is, it doesn’t really feel like one either. Simplicity, it is, beautiful, it is, graphics are ok, and the interface is sublime as you flick through the available applications, reminds me of a small portable version of Windows Vista. I am still waiting for the screen crashes which I’m sure there will be many. These have become apparent with Vista so don’t expect any different from having it on your portable media player, especially the new X-FI2. Compared to the year old predecessor the X-FI it is a sexier re-brand as the back declines into a curvy smooth finish, which catches the light and winks at me. – There is hope for Creative. Perhaps it is because it’s new and my extra sensory techno glands are asleep and all I view is the glassy delicious complexion that looks like my beloved iPhone; will I know the difference in the dark.

Cleverly thought-out design that notably looks like an iPod crossed with an iPhone laced with the Vista interface. It is apparent that Creative has gone via the route that three rights don’t make a wrong. They already have the techno team to come-up with the up to date technology all they required in my opinion was a major brain-storm to what works visually in the market-place. Creative may have come up with obvious answers to questions that have been lodged around the labs for three years or so, but at least they’ve succumbed to the masses who love finger licking technology in it being touch-screen. The X-FI was always in-place for a bigger stage performance; the X-FI I can see was the supporting band last year; now we can see what 2010 will hold as the wonderment of apps and notable design beauty that is in abundance with the X-FI2. They’ve answered their critics.

Before wafting through the Creative UK online store and giving away by other pre-historic portable media players with buttons, I did try and gain access to some X-FI2 information via gadgetry web-blogs that I’ve grown accustom to; and I found unlike the Nokia N95 poor app glitches that Creative had done all their home-work before off-loading to the public at the beginning of September; maybe they’ll all to come, and I’m yet to find them out, but usually I’m up with the portable media market news; as a critic of Creative I am notoriously tough with them, so if any praise is due, it is worth reading. – The forums so far have had about 18 posts, so I’m one of the first people to make an online impression. Two weeks is a long time in this fast moving digital age.

The X-FI2 does have a decent three inch LCD monitor that is a fair size larger than the X-FI version. Creative really have seen this epic PMP as a revolutionary tide towards visual film interactivity in ‘widescreen’ compared to earlier models; before the technology was available in sound and within the interface scripts but never as a full package. The X-FI2 is the full package, you can see the evolution process now through Creatives thinking; even though it was a blur for me for so long, hence my critical earlier reviews stance. – The liquid crystal display monitor’s colours are boundless 262,000 in all and the iconic graphics are good but not overly inventive too be honest I can see why they’re more clear than the dull blurred edges of previous offerings though. The only feeling that swamps my thoughts is why have not Creative provided me with a screen wipe, just like the ones you get thrown in when purchasing glasses. The reason being is for me to keep the monitor clean as a whistle as I’m a little bit prone to wanting to constantly clean anything glistening and new. – The monitor facility is the strongest notable point; and this PMP has all the hallmarks for being the ultimate affordable movie media and TV player in Creatives 2010 catalogue. All is required is a cable to your TV and movie bonanza is available to this device. - The only downside is that the 4GB is on the low-side for extreme media usage especially downloads from TV Planners. The 16GB and 32GB are in the pipeline so check-out the Creative UK website for updates.

For those of you who’ve got the X-FI already this last year the trade price has dropped a little if you looking to update to the touch-screen X-FI2. The great matter is the high fidelity sound facility is exactly the same as the X-FI. – Sadly no Blue-Tooth availability is logged so picking eternal information along the Blue-Tooth net-waves via transferring media files via one device to another won’t be happening. Understandable in this age of where music copyright becomes murky to whom is able to view videos and listen to music on protected digital data. – More deals are required by Creative to embed this right directly. – However, it doesn’t mean it isn’t possible through apps online, so worth a bit of research.

General headings on the interface available
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• Video
• Photo
• FM Radio
• Alarm
• Organizer with in-built calendar
• Speaker internal microphone

The Creative Zen X-FI2 just like the previous X-FI, carries mandatory tunes so they’re available with the PMP purchase. The digital data formats administer to MP3, WMA, Audible, locked or otherwise, AAC, and FLAC; for video Windows Media Video 9 caters for the excellent quality (WMV9, Mobile Media formats can also be read via MPEG4 , and the raw media via the internet, DivX4/5 is broad-cast and compatible also.

Sliding through to the Photo options in the gallery, the mandatory web-ready images in JPEG and BMP formats, that is (Bit MaP); one of the eldest image conversion formats, that is pre- internet. Again, these libraries are great for image storage as a device for viewing media and as a portable device via workstations. – The fact the PMP can be yet another digital camera storage facility is a plus; I’m still am unsure whether the device can ultimately swap workstation compatibility from other computer systems such as Linus or is Mac suitable.

Refreshingly enough there is an audio-book reader available that will enable eBooks to be read on the go, which will be out in 2010 available on the X-FI2. This could be another review in the waiting as Amazon has already started in producing these electronic books on portable devices, While checking out the new navigation interface a thought did enter my mind; the touch-screen technology reminded me of turning pages of a book, you even have to drag your finger slightly to make the interface change to related options. –The reassuring fact is, it is impossible to be confused within the initial maze of options. You can always opt back to the menu at anytime which is adjacent to the widescreen three inch monitor.

Sadly the downside looks at present no wireless features are present hence why no Bluetooth has sent exciting shivers down my spine. I must keep reminding myself that this delicious piece of equipment is still only a portable media player. - Though, I know for a fact that soon an even broader meatier WiFi experience is coming to our shores in the shape of a PMP; sometime nearer to the festive season from Creative; fun days ahead.

Overall statistics for the Zen X-FI2 Portable Media Player
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Sound and Graphics - 18.95 out of 20.00
Storage – 17.79 out of 20.00
Features – 17.22 out of 20.00
Design and Navigation – 19.22 out of 20.00
Originality – 16.44 out of 20.00
OVERALL SCORE – 89.62 out of 100

I hope all the information provided has helped.

© 1st2thebar – 09 - 2009
 

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