Creative launches ZEN Stone MP3 players

Portable music can now be enjoyed hands free. Both new players benefit from the addition of a vibrant screen, FM radio, voice recording, clock with stopwatch and customisable equaliser settings.

Initially available as 2GB models, the Creative ZEN Stone and Creative ZEN Stone Plus with Built-in Speaker can carry up to 500 MP3 or WMA songs, and also support Audible files, ideal for listening to audio books in the car or with family. The Creative ZEN Stone Plus with Built-in Speaker also supports AAC files, including unprotected iTunes.

Available in elegant matt metallic black, dark blue, pink or champagne colours, the new players feature a smooth, contoured design that fits naturally and comfortably in the hand. A translucent silicon skin with a clip is included in the box, and a sporty armband and ultra-portable keychain with a tiny case that carries the player can be purchased separately.

"The ZEN Stone and ZEN Stone Plus with Built-in Speaker free you from having to wear headphones when listening to your portable music. It is a great way to be able to enjoy your music when you're on a walk or in a group and you also want to enjoy a conversation or hear what's going on around you," said Leonard Yap, Associate Marketing Manager for Creative Labs Middle East. "It's hard to believe that such incredibly small players can have a speaker that sounds so good - so you, and your friends, can enjoy listening to music together without headphones."

It is easy to add music to your Creative ZEN Stone or Creative ZEN Stone Plus with Built-in Speaker: just drag and drop your music files to the player and choose "Play" or "Random" and listen up to 20 hours of your favourite songs from a single charge of the built-in battery. There is no driver installation necessary to add music. You can also connect headphones to the players when you want to listen to music privately.

Creative ZEN Stone with Built-in Speaker will be available in March 2008 while Creative ZEN Stone Plus with built-in speaker will be available in April 2008.