Creative Unveils The
ZEN MICRO - The Next Generation Of MP3/WMA Players - With 5GB, A Smaller
Footprint And Over Twice The Song Capacity Of iPod Mini
Ten Electrifying Colors, Removable Battery,
FM Radio and So Much More Set Zen Micro Apart
SINGAPORE, October
13, 2004 - Creative (NASDAQ:
CREAF), a worldwide leader in digital entertainment products for PC users, today
announced the Zen Micro, the next generation of MP3/WMA players.
"Despite the fact
that our recently launched MuVo² FM 5GB MP3 player has been doing exceptionally
well in several markets, I had always wanted to come out with a killer MP3/WMA
product this year. By introducing the Zen Micro we surpass all expectations for
what a next generation MP3/WMA player could be by providing all that music
listeners want and everything the competition doesn't deliver, all in an
ultra-cool micro-sized design," said Sim Wong Hoo, chairman and CEO of Creative
Technology Ltd.
The Power of Zen
Micro
The Zen Micro
surpasses previous generation players like the iPod mini by delivering what
music listeners want. The Zen Micro offers:
- 2.5 times more song
capacity - The Zen Micro with 5GB of storage capacity carries
up to 2,500 (WMA, 64kbps) songs, and it lets the listener choose MP3 or WMA
music, ripped from CDs or downloaded from online music sites.
- 50% more battery
life - The party never stops with the Zen Micro, which
delivers up to 12 hours of non-stop music playback.
- Removable
battery - Listen all day and night by just swapping out the
Zen Micro's removable battery for up to another 12 hours of music.
- Smaller
footprint - The Zen Micro is a full 6mm shorter than the iPod
mini.
- Ten electrifying
colors - The Zen Micro comes in a choice of ten different
electrifying colors: silver, black, red, orange, green, pink, purple, white,
light blue or dark blue, to let users choose exactly what color they want.
- Intuitive vertical Touch
Pad - The Zen Micro provides intuitive vertical scrolling to
allow users to move through easy-to-use menus with a gentle stroke of one
thumb on the face of the player. Vertical movement of one thumb scrolls
through vertical menus instead of sending users in circles. In addition, touch
sensitive controls enable users to access music with one tap of the thumb on
the vertical touch pad.
- Mesmerizing blue
glow - Whenever the user turns on the Zen Micro or touches
the Touch Pad, it lights up with a mesmerizing blue glow on the buttons and
around the face of the player, that also lights up when the Zen Micro is
charging.
- FM radio - In
addition to its 2500-song capacity, the Zen Micro has a high-quality FM radio
with 32 presets to easily access favorite FM radio stations.
- Voice recording
- The Zen Micro has full voice recording capabilities so users can capture up
to 10 hours of high quality digital recordings of dictations, notes or
meetings.
- Ergonomic
design - In addition to its cool looks, the Zen Micro is
curved to fit comfortably in the palm of one hand.
- Twice the Internet music
access - Unlike the iPod and iPod mini, the Zen Micro fully
supports both WMA and MP3 files. By supporting the recently announced MSN
Music service and other music services such as Napster, MusicMatch, Wal-Mart's
music store and others, the Zen Micro allows access to up to 2 million songs
on-line.
- "Plays for Sure" on any Windows
PC - The Zen Micro will be updated to support "Plays for
Sure," the Microsoft-supported compatibility and testing initiative which
allows consumers to easily identify which digital audio players and services
will work seamlessly together. As part of this program, the Zen Micro will
support Auto Sync with Windows Media Player 10.
"MSN Music is
excited to see the new Zen Micro by Creative hit the market," said Hadi Partovi,
GM of MSN Music Group. "Our partnership means people can easily download the
music they love from MSN Music and take it with them on a cool portable music
player."
Besides
offering features the iPod mini does not, the Zen Micro provides a built-in
Address Book, Calendar, and To-Do List. The player includes a belt clip that
doubles as a stand, in-ear dynamic bass response earphones, a protective
carrying case, a USB 2.0 cable, and an universal AC adapter. Optional
accessories, including a wired remote control and spare battery will be
available in the coming months at http://www.creative.com.
Pricing and
Availability
The Zen Micro is slated for November shipment
to all retail outlets in Asia at an estimated street price of US$279.99. For
more information, visit http://www.creative.com.
About
Creative
Creative (NASDAQ: CREAF) is a worldwide leader in
digital entertainment products for PC users. Famous for its Sound Blaster® sound
cards and for launching the multimedia revolution, Creative is now driving
digital entertainment on the PC platform with products like its highly acclaimed
MuVo® and Zen portable audio players. Creative's innovative hardware,
proprietary technology, applications and services leverage the Internet,
enabling consumers to experience high-quality digital entertainment -- anytime,
anywhere.
# # #
This
announcement relates to products launched in the Asia Pacific. The product
names, prices and availability are subject to change without notice and may
differ elsewhere in the world according to local factors and requirements. MuVo,
and Sound Blaster are registered trademarks of Creative Technology Ltd. in the
United States and other countries. All other brand names are trademarks of their
respective owners.
Source: Creative
