Is this the iPod killer?

AUDIO giant Creative has launched its latest MP3 player, which should finally give Apple’s iPod a run for its money.
The Zen Vision:M does all the things the iPod can do – and more. The LCD screen is only 2.5 inches, but it is high resolution and can handle 262,144 colours. As you would expect, it can
play videos and display photos and will come in a variety of colours.
“When people see the Zen Vision:M, they tell us it’s incredibly cool,” said Sim Wong Hoo, chairman and CEO of Creative. “We designed the Zen Vision:M with its mesmerising 262K
colour screen to display four times the colour of competing portable video players, and to provide incredible battery life for video playback. Plus, we offer people the freedom to choose
their video in a variety of different formats, and to get subscription music or download tracks from a number of different sites on their player.”
With 30Gb of storage, it offers four hours of video playback and supports an extensive range of formats. There is also a scalable TV-Out capability whichallows the viewing and recording of TV programmes, while the photo viewer has pan and zoom functions.
Other features include:

• FM radio and recording;
• Content password protection – protects content stored on the player;
• Built-in Microphone – shows volume levels on screen for optimum recording;
• Customisable themes;
• Organiser – provides calendar, tasks and contact lists, and syncs with Microsoft Outlook;
• A clock with music alarm;
• Colour themes and different languages for further customisation.

Another improvement on the iPod offering is the fact that the Zen Vision:M will come with an AC
adapter, USB 2.0 cable, high-quality earphones and a protective pouch. With the price expected to be only slightly more than a 30Gb iPod, and with a lot more features, the Zen Vision:M could be the product to challenge Apple’s dominance.