Nomad Jukebox Zen NX
The Nomad Jukebox Zen NX is the newest member of Creative's family of hard-drive digital-music players. It debuts in August with 20GB and 30GB versions selling for $499 and $599, respectively.
Upside: The NX models are just a shade thinner and lighter (20mm and 42 grams respectively) than their predecessors. Battery life is rated at the same 14 hours, but a removable, rechargeable lithium-ion cell has succeeded the old Zen's sealed-case design, so you can replace a bum battery. Support for USB 1.1/2.0, rather than FireWire, ensures compatibility with just about every PC on the market.
Downside: These Zens come with earbuds instead of the previous model's beefier, wraparound headphones. Still absent are a built-in FM tuner and line-in recording. And even though Creative has made the devices smaller, they still look a bit hefty compared with the latest superslim iPods.
Outlook: The NX line isn't revolutionary, but it may be enough that these smaller, lighter Zens deliver capacities, features, and a form factor similar to those of the Apple iPod--at a lower price point.
Nomad MuVo NX
The original Nomad MuVo made its mark with a groundbreaking design and impressive sound quality. Due to hit stores in August, the next-gen MuVo NX adds an LCD and few other key features missing from its predecessor.
Upside: About the same size as a Zippo lighter, the MuVo plugs directly into your USB port for easy, cable-free file transfers, and it features an LCD, voice recording, clean sound, equalization options, an armband, and two battery components. It even comes with two different battery modules: one silver, and the other red.
Downside: With a list price of AU$299 for a 128MB player, the MuVo NX isn´t a bargain, especially when you consider that the memory isn´t expandable. Some users may want to wait for the 256MB version (AU$399), due to arrive in September.
Outlook: Despite its somewhat high price tag, the new MuVo should find a place among the hottest-selling MP3 players this year.
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