Creative is also talking with publishers, a la Apple, although in their case the talks are primarily in Singapore, where they already have a number of e-learning initiatives.

Images were unavailable, although Engadget did manage to snag a source who snapped a blurry pic of the Creative UI reveal (pictured) earlier today. There will be a touchscreen, which would make this slate/tablet markedly different than an ebook like the Kindle, although somewhat similar to the Nook. That’s all for now. [Epizenter via Engadget]

Like Creative’s introduction video before it, CNET’s hands-on is more about seeing the hardware than showing off new features—this is the same Android we’ve been using since last year, after all. There’s a lot of interesting stuff going on inside the Egg—720p video playback support by means of on in-house chip, promises of long battery life, the expandable storage potential—but most of this isn’t apparent in a short demo like this.

What we’re left with is an attractive piece of hardware that is just begging to live out its destiny as the first mainstream Android PMP, but which Creative can’t seem to make up its mind about, at least publicly. The Zii really looks like a consumer products, from its styling to its specs, and I’d love or Creative to take it to market, or to sell the design to someone else to do the same. But even though it seems obvious that such a product would represent the first real competitor to the iPod Touch, their line, still, is that this is for developers. Click through for video. [CNET Asia]

Being seeded to developers as part of a $US399 SDK (final units are expected to ship in bulk at $US199), the Zii Egg Plaszma is an Android-friendly “handheld computer” that’s like an iPod touch beefed up with more than a few popular requests.

You navigate the platform through a 3.5″ 320×480, 10-point capacitive multitouch screen. From there, you can access the rear facing HD video camera, front facing live chat VGA camera, 32GB of integrated storage with SDHC card expansion, Flash Lite support, GPS, Wi-Fi and, oh right, it’s powerful enough to output 1080P video.

Of course, its greatest assets, the option for the open Android OS (the company offers its own Plaszma OS but that’s a bit less exciting), means that the hardware begins to resemble a smartphone without the phone. And I’m surprised on a daily basis that anyone is still buying big iPods that can’t make phone calls. [ZiiLabs via GeekyGadgets]

From the patent, we can see that the Zii is a wi-fi-equipped touchscreen media player, fitted with an “HD” camera, Bluetooth, and, well, that’s about all we know. The presence of a developer version, called the Zii Egg, seems to promise some kind of app support, though it’d be a mistake to immediately jump to the conclusion that the Zii will therefore have an app store; it could just be a dev platform for third parties who could be developing stock apps for the device.

Oooooooor, as Engadget plausibly suggests, this could be a part of the first wave of Android PMPs, which would, like any Android phone, have root-access developer units. In that case, Creative has what could be an interesting product: a touchscreen, connected PMP with a decent camera and a worthwhile app store, making it a more direct competitor to the iPod Touch than we’ve ever seen before. For now, though, questions! Like what was up with the strange language in your “Zii Stemcell” announcement, and how closely are these two things connected? In due time, I guess. In due time. [FCC via Engadget]

Creative Labs changing business model

Sydney, Australia – 12 January 2009 – Creative Labs Pty Ltd, a local subsidiary of Creative Technology Ltd and worldwide leader in digital entertainment products, today announced a change in business model.

Creative Labs Pty Ltd will be changing their business model in Australia with all the local operations being consolidated from the Singapore Regional Head Office while maintaining its presence in stores through a number of distribution partners like Altech Computers, Multimedia Technology and its online retail partners.

Bernard Koh, Country Manager, ANZ, Creative Labs said: “Like most businesses today, we have been monitoring and analysing the market situation closely and have taken steps in advance to streamline our sales distribution model to better compete in the market. We believe that by changing our business model flexibly, we will better serve our customers and partners.”

For more information, please visit www.au.creative.com

Natuarlly, I’ve asked for Creative to clarify the situation (a search of their website doesn’t actually provide more information) and will update when we get their response. Hopefully there won’t be too many Australian staff effected by this – especially considering the potential excitement the company’s got behind their new Zii platform…

UPDATE: Just got this note from Creative:

Creative Labs will continue to operate in Australia and New Zealand. The core sales function will remain on the ground locally and essential support resources will be relocating to Singapore. Maintaining and growing Creative’s brand presence will be a key focus for progression in the times ahead.

Yeah, I know, you see “StemCell Computing” and you kinda want something goopy and weird that could perhaps, when given enough density, clone a Shakey’s pizza shop. But the folks at Creative—including the chairman, my old buddy Sim Wong Hoo—are pretty stoked about this little system on a chip, the ZiiLABS ZMS-05 SoC, which comes out of the acquisition of the company formerly known as 3DLabs.

I suspect this is the last time the mainstream gadget media will hear about Zii directly until there are Zii-powered electronics bopping around, but that might not take long, as the following press release promises a “complete, powerful and energy efficient platform with a very rapid time-to-market.”

Dreaming big, they even say that the technology allows “virtually unlimited chaining” to form “a state-of-the- art ‘hypercomputer’ with many petaflops of processing power…100 times smaller, 100 times greener and 100 times lower cost than conventional super computers.” Sounds pretty good, in a crazy future’s-so-bright sort of way. Good on you, Creative and ZiiLabs—now let’s see some dang ZiiToys!!!

Creative Launches the Zii Platform and Ushers in the Era of StemCell Computing
Creative Forms ZiiLABS and Ushers in the Era of StemCell Computing Where Nano-Sized Super Computing Will Be Available in Our Daily Lives through Flexible, Tiny, Powerful and Scalable SoC

CES, Las Vegas, NV – Jan. 8, 2009 — Creative Technology Ltd. today announced the formation of ZiiLABS™ (a wholly owned subsidiary of Creative), with the combination of 3DLABS — which has a 25-year history as a leading innovator in programmable graphics, media and applications processing — and resources drawn from the largest product group in Creative, the Personal Digital Entertainment group.

The formation of ZiiLABS, the launch of the new ZiiLABS ZMS-05 SoC (System-On-Chip) and the new Zii™ Platform today usher in the new era of StemCell Computing™. The new ZiiLABS ZMS-05 SoC (System-On-Chip) will be unveiled and demonstrated from January 8-11 at the Consumer Electronics Show, South Hall booth #30651.

“We have invested a billion dollars and 10,000 man years of R&D effort over the last 25 years in platform solutions,” said Sim Wong Hoo, chairman and CEO of Creative Technology Ltd. “The combination of the technology from 3DLABS and the product development prowess of our Personal Digital Entertainment group delivers a complete, powerful and energy efficient platform with a very rapid time-to-market for our partners – the Zii Platform.”

“We now look to shaping the future of computing with the introduction of the integrated ZMS-05 media-rich processor, and ushering in the new era of StemCell Computing where we will bring the incredible benefits of nano-sized super computing right into our daily lives,” said Hock Leow, president of ZiiLABS.”

This StemCell approach has benefits in terms of:
· Flexibility — Utilizing a breakthrough technology comprising of programmable Processing Elements (PEs) which are basically Software Defined Silicon
· Scalability — 10Gigaflops to Petaflops (1015 floating point operation per second)
· Energy Efficiency — Huge processing power of the ZMS-05 SoC enables it to perform more in less time, equating to low power consumption
· Complete Solution — Ready-for-Market Zii Platform Solutions

Unlimited Flexibility
Stem cells are the basic building blocks of life, possessing the unique ability to develop into the specialised cells and tissues required by organisms to function effectively. Inspired by this concept, the ZMS architecture uses an array of media-optimised Processing Elements (PE) as its stem cells that can instantly develop into any of the specialised acceleration functions required of today’s media rich devices and offering advantages in terms of flexibility, performance and features when compared to the fixed function silicon blocks traditionally used in SoC designs.

Incredible Scalability
The scalability of the ZMS architecture is highlighted in the first Teraflop Accelerator with the footprint of an A4-sized sheet of paper, consuming less power than a desktop PC. By utilizing the virtually unlimited chaining capability of the ZMS chips, a state-of-the- art ‘hypercomputer’ with many Petaflops of processing power can be realised, which can be 100 times smaller, 100 times greener and 100 times lower cost than conventional super computers.

High Energy Efficiency
Due to the compute density of each Processing Element, the ZMS-05 SoC is able to do an immense amount of media processing in far less time — and with far less energy — than taken by standard processors; which translates into longer battery life. Intelligent power control means the speed and power consumption of the processor can be matched to the task in hand and unused features can be turned off completely, put in deep stand-by and reactivated instantly after weeks of shut down, helping to lengthen battery life even further.

Complete Zii Platform Solutions
The ZMS-05 processor combines the media processing array, dual ARM cores and a rich set of integrated peripheral controllers with hardware platforms and advanced SDK and middleware. This will enable Software Developers, OEMs, ODMs and System Integrators to create unlimited possibilities and develop a broad range of highly innovative products.

ZiiLABS Launch Partners
With the excitement about the ZiiLABS platform now public and the ZMS-05 in production, the Company is pleased to be working with many OEM partners worldwide announcing products based on ZMS including: MicroStar International, Perception digital, F&S Electronic, MediaNet, ASTAK, PowerLinux and Grandeye.

For more information, please visit Zii.com

About Creative
Creative is a worldwide leader in digital entertainment products. Famous for its Sound Blaster® sound cards and for launching the multimedia revolution, Creative is now driving digital entertainment on the PC platform with products like its highly acclaimed ZEN® MP3 and portable media players. Creative’s innovative hardware, proprietary technology, applications and services leverage the Internet, enabling consumers to experience high-quality digital entertainment – anytime, anywhere.

About ZiiLABS

ZiiLABS is a worldwide leader in media-rich application processors, hardware platforms and advanced middleware. Its products enable OEMs, ODMs and system integrators to deliver industry-leading devices across a broad range of consumer electronics and embedded markets. Originally founded in 1994 as 3DLABS, the company re-branded and joined with the Personal Digital Entertainment group of Creative Labs to form ZiiLABS in January 2009. ZiiLABS with over 800 R&D engineers today has invested US$1 billion and 10,000 man years in media processing solutions and has offices in the UK, China, USA and Singapore.

What does this processor do? What the hell is “stemcell computing?” Is this a bunch of hype that won’t deliver in the end? The answers are: I don’t know, I don’t know and probably. However, we do know that the chip will be used in “a variety” of upcoming products and that Nintendo probably won’t be happy about the name. The chip could simply enhance sound, but we are hoping that it is much more than that. We shall find out soon enough. [zii and epizenter]

The website referenced at zii.com has this info:
• The words “Zii”. (Can assume that Nintendo’s Lawyers are powering up.)
• The words “Everything you know is about to change”.
• The text Stemcell (as one word, not two).
• Four leaf clovers that sparkle.
• The font for “Z” on Zii is some weird and terrible design that is also probably used for the Z on the neon sign of every shitty club called Zanzibar from Boston to Hawaii.

Entering this data into the generally infallible Gizmotronic super computer (A cluster of Dreamcasts and US Robotics 56k modems, connected over RJ-45) I’ve calculated to 99.5% probability that Creative Labs is getting into gadget cloning as a way to remain competitive in the mp3 player market, a market they were relevant in in 2001. They’re going to use this tech to master the design methodology of 10th party Chinese knock off firms and save on research and development costs. And they will first clone another iPod and late in 2009 they’ll get ambitious and clone the iPod Touch named Dolly the ipoddy. I have bet the Engadget guys 100 bucks and 10 links this is true.

But, considering our 0.5% chance of Gizmodotronic making a mistake, what do you think it is?

Update: Commenters Adam Lang and MichelleDatsun have earned their stars by taking the entire 1 minute to search the USPTO for Zii, coming up with an entry dated on September 18th of 2008, listing the probably purposefully broad description below. What is interesting is the section referring to “Providing on-line facilities, via a global computer network, to enable users to program the scheduling of audio, video, text and other multimedia content, including music, concerts, videos, radio, television, news, sports, games, cultural events, and entertainment-related programs”. That all sounds a lot like some sort of social network or content distribution system, which the top players of significance, the Zune and iPod, have with their desktop apps. Interesting and it makes sense for Creative to make something like this (or give up) but there’s no way to fit the “stemcell computing” aspect of the teaser into the analysis.

We’ll find out soon enough.

[Zii.com via Paul at Engadget]

Word Mark ZII
Goods and Services IC 009. US 021 023 026 036 038. G & S: Computer software; computer hardware; computer memories; computer interfaces; HDMI interface, ports and cables for digital electronic multi-media devices; computers; central processing units; subwoofer speakers; audio players; audio signal processors; microprocessors; digital audio players; digital cameras; magnetic disks; external hard disk/storage devices; portable speakers; computer keyboards; computer mice; monitors; computer cables; headphones; earphones; digital video players; apparatus and instruments for recording, reproducing and/or transmitting sound and/or visual information or recordings; Instrument and materials for transmitting and/or receiving and/or recording sound and/or visual images; interactive sound and/or visual recordings; sound and/or visual recording media; video games; interactive computer software; electronic publications and digital music (downloadable) provided on-line from databases or from the Internet or from any other communications network; digital versatile discs and digital video discs (DVD) including high definition DVD; CD-ROMs; Optical and magneto-optical disc players and recorders for audio, video and computer data; optical and magneto-optical discs featuring music, text data, still images and motion pictures; televisions; Blu-ray discs (being a storage and/or recording media); virtual reality systems; digital music (downloadable); amplifiers; telephones; mobile telephones; cellular telephones; video phones; batteries, battery charges; charger adapters; parts and fittings for phones, including clips, covers and shells specifically adapted for phone; headphones receivers, microphones, hands free kits for phones for vehicles; electric cables, antennas, phone holders, desktop stands for mobile telephones, GPS receivers; 3G network receivers; 4G network receivers. tripods and flashlights for cameras, keyboards, Stylus (light pens), memory cards, loudspeakers, radio transmitters, audio adapters, carrying cases adapted for mobile telephones; carrying cases adapted for digital music players, and portable handheld digital electronic multi-media devices; cameras; digital maps and digital map displays; digital music players and radios; computer software for use in transmitting and receiving data, images and voice communications; computer software for transferring data, images, messages and video between mobile communication devices, portable handheld digital electronic multi-media devices, digital audio and video players and/or computers; computer software for gathering, storing, organizing and viewing information, data, images, messages and video on mobile communication apparatus, portable handheld digital electronic multi-media devices, digital audio and video players and/or computers; computer software enabling users of mobile phones and/or digital electronic multi-media devices to share information with other users of mobile phones and/or digital electronic multi-media devices; computer software and programs enabling users of communication devices to simultaneously access online services from network-wide databases and global computer networks; apparatus and instruments for telecommunication via internet; cordless telephones; computer telephony software; telecommunications equipment composed primarily of telephones and videophones, voice mail hardware and software, caller ID hardware and software, voice over IP hardware and software, telephone display screens, video screens, video screens for use within a video phone, and video cameras for use in a video phone; telephone-based information retrieval software and hardware; nano computers; laptop computers; electronic organizers, electronic notepads, digital satellite broadcasting systems, namely receivers, transmitters and antennas for satellite broadcasting. USB hubs and adapters; apparatus sets for remotely monitoring the security of places; apparatus and instruments for conducting, switching, transforming, accumulating, regulating or controlling electricity; remote controls; and electronic manuals (downloadable) distributed therewith

IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S: Advertising, business, marketing, promotional and publicity services; arranging and conducting exhibitions for advertising, commercial or trade purposes; arranging and conducting trade shows for advertising purposes; provision of advertising, marketing and promotional services on-line from computer databases or the Internet (including web sites); arranging for the provision of advertising space; advertising on radio and television; provision of space on web sites for advertising goods and services; classified advertisement; publication of advertising literature, matter and texts; preparation and publication of publicity texts; provision of business news (business management); arrangement of advertising; compilation of advertisements for use as web pages on the Internet; compilation, production and dissemination of advertising matter; rental of advertising space; arranging newspaper subscription; business information; business research; business services relating to the provision of sponsorship for television and radio commercials; production of commercials; business management of performing artists; opinion polling; economic forecasting; statistical information, namely, searching, browsing and retrieving information, sites, and other resources available on global computer networks and other communication networks for others; advertising and commercials in the electronic media; reproductio
n of advertising material in both print and electronic media; recruitment advertising; advertising and media campaign planning services; providing information on employment and careers (other than educational and training advice); advisory, information and consultancy services relating to all the aforesaid; all the aforesaid services also provided on-line from a computer database or via the global communications network

IC 038. US 100 101 104. G & S: Broadcasting and telecommunication services; broadcasting and communications by means of or aided by computer; broadcasting and communications by telephone, line and cable; mobile communication services; music and radio broadcasting; transmission of radio programs; wireless communication services; transmission of digital information; communication services for receiving and exchange of information, messages, images and data in electronic form; electronic mail services; news agency services (transmission of news); electronic data display board services for information, messages, images and data; electronic bulletin board services (telecommunications services); provision and operation of electronic conferencing, discussion groups and chat rooms; provision of on-line forums; operating chat rooms; providing access to blogs, providing on-line chat rooms or discussions services; providing access to a blog, chat room, bulletin board or discussion services; providing access to an Internet discussion website; providing internet uses with space for personalised information such as blogs and journals concerning entertainment, music, concerts, video, radio, television, film, news, sports, games and cultural events; providing access to digital music websites on the internet; providing access to MP3 websites on the internet; delivery of digital music by telecommunications; operating search engines; transmission of news and current affairs information; advisory, information and consultancy services relating to all the aforesaid; all the aforesaid services also provided on-line from a computer database or via the global communications network

IC 041. US 100 101 107. G & S: Audio and visual entertainment services; publication of sheet music; organisation of competition for entertainment or education; organisation and presentation of live performances; music composition services, music arrangement services, music production services; organisation and production of shows; recording studio services; production of music, audio and video recordings; distribution (other than transportation) of music, audio and video recordings; promotions (entertainment); music publishing services, publishing of musical works, song publishing; operation of music schools; teaching of music; teaching of singing

IC 042. US 100 101. G & S: Providing on-line facilities, via a global computer network, to enable users to program the scheduling of audio, video, text and other multimedia content, including music, concerts, videos, radio, television, news, sports, games, cultural events, and entertainment-related programs; design, drawing and commissioned writing, all for the creation and compilation of web sites and web pages; creating and maintaining web sites and portals on the internet; hosting computer sites (websites); providing users with access time to electronic communications networks with means of identifying, locating, grouping, distributing, and managing data and links to third-party computer servers, computer processors and computer users; providing users with access time to electronic communications networks with means of identifying, locating, grouping, distributing, and managing data and links to third-party computer servers, computer processors and computer users; provision of access time to web-sites featuring multimedia materials; providing access to databases and directories via communications networks for obtaining data in the fields of music, video, film, books, television, games and sports; photographic research; advisory, information and consultancy services relating to all the aforesaid; all the aforesaid services also provided on-line from a computer database or via the global communications network
Mark Drawing Code (5) WORDS, LETTERS, AND/OR NUMBERS IN STYLIZED FORM
Serial Number 77574281
Filing Date September 19, 2008
Current Filing Basis 1B
Original Filing Basis 1B
Owner (APPLICANT) Creative Technology Ltd CORPORATION SINGAPORE Creative Resource 31 International Business Park Singapore SINGAPORE 609921
Attorney of Record Jorge Arciniega
Description of Mark Colour is not claimed as a feature of the mark. The mark consists of the capital letter “Z” in a stylized script, followed by two lower case letters “i”, with the stem of the second “i” inverted from the stem of the first “i”.
Type of Mark TRADEMARK. SERVICE MARK
Register PRINCIPAL
Live/Dead Indicator LIVE