NEW PRODUCT POST: Creative 32GB Zen

Launch Date: December 2007

Creative Labs has finally released the latest version of their iPod-alternative mp3 player, Zen.  Originally announced in August with smaller memory models available in stores in September, the highly anticipated 32GB version finally became available this week. 

The Zen is the world’s first 32GB flash-based media player.  (Its arch nemesis, iPod Classic, operates to 160GB, but runs on an internal hard drive.)  Flash-based players are known for their battery life, but have previously lacked the capacity for large amounts of memory, which is why Apple only uses it for its smaller players like nano and Shuffle.  The new Zen even has a built-in SD memory card slot for even more storage options.

When my iPod Mini finally gave out early this summer after three loyal years of service, I bought a Creative Zen Vision: M (and paid about $100 less than if I’d gotten an iPod).  The Zen had better reviews for audio and video quality and battery life than the iPod.  It also has several features that the iPod lacks, including FM radio, organizer that can be synced with Microsoft Outlook and a built-in microphone that I use more than you’d think (including recording about five hours of audio at Podcamp back in October).  The new Zen has all of these same features in a smaller package and comparable price ($350 for the 32GB version).

Does the Zen’s additional features and memory capacity make it a genuine iPod challenger?