ZiiLABS showcases its JAGUAR Android 3.X Reference Platform for 7" & 10" tablets

Weeks after announcing its two new chip set - the ZMS-20 and ZMS-40, ZiiLABS isn't showing any signs of slowing down as it showcase its JAGUAR Reference Platform for the 7" and 10" tablets.

To put it simply, ZiiLABS have created a range of 7" and 10" tablets running on the Android 3.1 OS and powered by the ZMS-20 or ZMS-40. OEM companies could modify certain components or design of the tablet and bring them to market quickly. As we all know that ZiiLABS' major customer is Creative, it could mean that we could see the next generation of ZiiO tablets by Christmas.

Below are some of the standard features of the JAGUAR tablets:
* Powered by ZiiLABS ZMS-20 and ZMS-40
* Designed for Android 3.0+ and above
* Capacitive and Resistive LCD touch options
* 5MP rear and HD front facing camera as standard
* Wi-Fi b/g/n, 3G/4G/WiMax and Bluetooth 2.1+EDR
* GPS, accelerometer, digital compass and gyroscope
* Stereo speakers and dual Microphone array
* Up to 64GB internal storage
* USB 2.0 port
* SDHC Card sl

Some of the tablet design that ZiiLABS have produced:



JAGUAR reference tablets based on the ZMS-20 will be shown in the ZiiLABS suite (Grand Hyatt Hotel Taipei, Grand Room, #1137) at the Computex 2011 tradeshow in Taipei, Taiwan between 31 May and 4 June.

ZiiLABS Announce JAGUAR Family of Android 3.X Reference Platforms (PR)
JAGUAR Reference Platforms

Hock Leow - President of ZiiLABS talks about the ZMS-08, Zii EGG, Zii Trinity and Zii SiVO

ZiiLABS updates the Zii family of processors with the ZMS-20 and the ZMS-40

It has been 2 years since ZiiLABS announced its last media processor - the ZMS-08. The media-rich applications processor is now seen powering the Creative's ZiiO range of tablets. While we have yet to see the 1080p video playback or 720p video conferencing on these devices, we did see the ZiiO rendering decent 3D games and also 720p HDMI output.

Today, ZiiLABS (also known as the chip-making arm of Creative) announces 2 new processors targeting at the rapidly growing tablet market. The ZMS-20 is a dual-core (think 2 brains on a chip) 1.5GHz Cortex A9 processor which the company says is 4 times faster than the ZMS-08. The ZMS-40 on the other hand is a quad-core (now think 4 brains) processor which is able to deliver a clock speed of up to 6GHz. This all sounds amazing to us. What it simply means is that the ZMS-20 and ZMS-40 are micro-size media-powerhouse processors optimized for Android 3.0 high-definition tablets.

Along with the chips, ZiiLABS will provide a comprehensive Android Tablet Platform consisting of the ZMS-20 SDK for Android, customize or white label ID tablet designs and also certification and conformation.



ZiiLABS ZMS-20 & ZMS-40 Press Release
ZiiLABS ZMS-20
ZiiLABS Android Tablet Platform

Round up: Creative's new range of wireless Bluetooth headsets

To compliment its wireless speakers and MP3 players, Creative released not 1, not 2 but 3 new wireless headsets. These new WP-series headset not only allow you to listen to your music wirelessly via Bluetooth, it also allows you to receive and answer phone calls on your mobile phones and PC.

WP-250

Active Lifestyle High Quality Wireless Music Listening and Voice Communication

• Streams high quality music with clear voice calls from all compatible mobile phones and Bluetooth devices
• In-Ear and behind-the-neck design for secure fit during active usage
• “Invisible microphone” delivers distinct voice calls
• Convenient call and playback controls with volume adjustments on earbud

WP-250 Product Page

WP-350

High Quality Wireless Music Listening and Voice Communication

• Shares the same sonic acoustic properties as the highly acclaimed Creative WP-300 - now comes with “invisible mic”
• Delivers high quality music and crystal clear voice calls from all compatible mobile phones and Bluetooth audio devices
• “Invisible microphone” with noise suppression and speech enhancement processing, delivering clear audio calls under noisy environment
• Superb audio-video synchronisation with apt-X technology
• Easy access call and playback controls with volume level buttons
• Lightweight with supra-aural design and soft leatherette ear cushions
• Flat-fold design for portable convenience
• Extended music playback up to 8 hours and talk time of up to 9 hours
• Bundled with soft protective pouch for ease of travel and USB cable for charging

WP-350 Product Page

WP-450

Ergonomic Design Premium Grade Wireless Music Listening and Voice Communication

• Delivers high quality music and crystal clear voice calls from all compatible mobile phones and Bluetooth audio devices
• “Invisible microphone” with noise suppression and speech enhancement processing, delivering clear audio calls under noisy environment
• Superb audio-video synchronisation with apt-X technology
• Easy access call and playback controls with volume level buttons
• Lightweight with supra-aural design and soft leatherette ear cushions
• Headphones fold into a compact bundle for storage and travel
• Extended music playback up to 8 hours and talk time of up to 9 hours
• Bundled with soft protective pouch for ease of travel and USB cable for charging

WP-450 Product Page

Creative releases ZEN Style M300 - compact Bluetooth MP3 player with microSD slot

Creative has updated its ZEN line of MP3 player with the low-end ZEN Style M300. The Bluetooth equipped MP3 player comes in 4 different colors (Black, White, Yellow and Red) and 3 capacities (4, 8 and 16GB). In terms of size, this is one of the smallest full feature player from Creative. It packs the usual bell and whistles you would expect from a Creative player: FM Radio, Photos, Videos and microSD expansion slot. The included Bluetooth feature of the player also allow you to wireless stream music to Creative's range of wireless speakers and headphones. In terms of pricing, the Style M300 is also about S$20 cheaper than the ZEN Style series. Also available is the ZEN style M100 (no Bluetooth, FM Radio). Creative says both players will be on sale in the middle of June.

ZEN Style M300 Press Release
ZEN Style M300 Product Page

[Exclusive] Creative to release new D80 wireless speaker

Creative has introduced a series of wireless speakers last year and a quick check with the FCC shows that the company has no intention of slowing down!

Introducing the Creative D80 wireless Bluetooth speaker. From the name and what we have read from the user manual, the D80 is a cheaper version of the Creative D100 (no battery option this time) and also no apt-x codec. There is an aux-in option at the front of the speaker for non-bluetooth audio devices.

No words on pricing or availability yet (obviously). Hit on the link below for the user manual and testing photos!

Creative D80 User Manual
Creative D80 Testing Photos

Creative Announces Q3 FY11 US$27.4 million Loss

Creative has released its Q3FY11 Financial Results and things ain't pretty.

Net Sales
- decreased by 10% compared to the same period last year due to the difficult market particularly for the company's personal digital entertainment products

Gross Profit
- stands at 24% which is rather healthy I would say

Net Loss
- US$27.4 million for the past 9 months. R&D increased by 16% as it is critical to the company's business

Prospect
- Creative expects to report another loss for the current quarter
- The company will take steps to reduce expenses and headcount this quarter and to incur US$10 million in this retrenchment exercise
- Creative is targeting to return to profitability this calendar year

For the full release, please visit, download the Earning Release PDF.