Creative Launches New Zen Micro Photo in Japan

[Jason Dunn]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.laptoplogic.com/news/10/07/2005/548/0/' target='_blank'>http://www.laptoplogic.com/news/10/07/2005/548/0/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"One year after the Zen Micro, Creative today announced their new lineup to their MP3 players -- the Zen MicroPhoto. The new Zen MicroPhoto features organic LED (OLED) display with 128 x 128 resolution. The 8GB hard drive based MP3 player can playback WMA, MP3, and WAV file. Software is included to load pictures to this portable media player with Creative Media Source and Zen Microphoto Media Explorer."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.digitalmediathoughts.com/images/creat1_1.jpg" /><br /><br />Laptop Logic has the scoop on the new Zen Micro Photo - the OLED screen must look fantastic, though 128 x 128 pixels seems rather low res. 8GB worth of storage is excellent for around the $260 USD mark, though I don't know how much I like the two-tone shell with a blue border around all the colours. I really like the Zen Micro I was given last year, so I might upgrade to this if I ever feel like 4GB of music just isn't enough to tide me over on my trips.

[randalllewis]

I think the color screen adds to the cool appearance of the Micro, though I agree the resolution is disappointing. Jason, as for the blue trim you're not about, I can't tell from the article whether that is some new design feature or rather is simply a graphic representation of the blue trim that glows when the Micro backlight comes on.

[Jason Dunn]

I can't tell from the article whether that is some new design feature or rather is simply a graphic representation of the blue trim that glows when the Micro backlight comes on.

Aha, you're right, that could be it. I sure hope so!

[Jeremy Charette]

128 x 128? What were they thinking? Even the iPod Nano has a higher resolution at 176 x 132. At least give us 320 x 240 if you're going to tout the ability to display photos!

[Ed]

It is pretty sweet. I just picked one up at Best Buy here in the Bay Area (California). They have them behind the counter (you have to ask for them). So far so good--hooked it up to Yahoo Music Unlimited and downloaded 1000+ songs. I haven't figured out Audible yet however.

[Jason Dunn]

It is pretty sweet. I just picked one up at Best Buy here in the Bay Area (California). They have them behind the counter (you have to ask for them). So far so good--hooked it up to Yahoo Music Unlimited and downloaded 1000+ songs.

Cool! What do you think of the screen - is the low resolution obvious? How's the OLED look? And is that blue border just when it's recharging and glowing?

[sojourner753]

This looks pretty nice. I've been thinking about replacing my 10GB iPod with something else.

Unfortunately I would have to give up 2GB of space and the iTunes software.
Fortunately I don't use anyones online store and just re-ripped all of my music to 192 mp3s.

Not sure if I'll leave the iPod camp yet. I suppose that as long as I stick with MP3s I can go where ever I want. Maybe even just my PPC once I'm running WM5.

[Ed]

The glowing border fades in and out with the screen and backlit touch buttons. Nice.

The screen looks great in low light--but difficult to read/see in bright daylight. In music mode the screen looks good (not saying much). I loaded some photos--they tend to look a dark. The screen is small, but the player is very small too. I would not recommend buying this player for the screen--the color is nice, but the 8GB in this tight little package is killer.

The battery life (from my limited usage) seems to be pretty poor--more on this after I use it more.

There's a full review on dapreview: http://www.dapreview.net/content.php?review.232
One point not mentioned in the review (why I chose the ZMP) is support for Audible.

[hockeyref24]

So you can get them anywhere in the U.S. ??