Review – Creative Zen XFI 2 MP3 Player
I recently purchased a Creative Zen XFI-2 for £129.99 after my iPod decided to play up. I was looking forward to writing a decent review for the little player, but sadly it wasn’t anything I was happy about.
I did my research, many people said Creative were the best over the iPod for quality and value. I checked out other competitors such as Sony and even Samsung and after much deliberation I decided on the Creative Zen XFI – 2, the newest range of Creative’s MP3 players.
I was looking forward to a new experience after having iPod for so long and I was expecting great things. I read on BBC that the Zen XFI could support BBC iPlayer. I also found out that it had XFI pre installed, apparently an unprecedented sound enhancement in the palm of my hand – great! I also read that the little beast could manage album artwork – all my TuneUp Media work was saved. I was looking forward finally to a touchscreen that allowed me enjoy a bigger screen for my DVD collection. I was excited and I couldn’t wait.
Well for those of you who want the facts, I have listed all the things below that might highlight just how unhappy I was with the product;
- Not all my TuneUp Media Artwork was recognised even though my PC displayed the art with no problem.
- The XFI enhanced sound feature was utterly useless. If anything the music lacked body and bass before you enabled the feature. And the “Expand” feature made the tracks sound even worse.
- Creative Centrale the Media Manager looked like and operated like a 16 year old A-Level student had made it, featureless and utterly disconnected from anything automatic or convenient. I reverted to a Drag and Drop approach with my files.
- Transfer rate was no higher the 2.56Mps vs my iPod at 13Mps.
- You could not rip copyrighted DVD’s even though, well, I own them?
- The touchscreen was ineffective, infact Creative advised to use my nail to scroll and make selections.
- And finally its the Creative Zen XFI that plays BBC iPlayer videos NOT the Creative Zen XFI – 2? Well…the XFI – 2 really does add value for your money!
I hate been negative and I hate having to write this but sorry Creative, this MP3 player is not a recommended buy in my books, welcome back Apple and thank you for a deeper bass, fuller sound. I also thank you for the fast transfer rate and the ability to store 160GB worth of music. Oh and one other thing Apple, thank you for reminding me just how useful iTunes is even though I do moan about it.
At least millions use it, meaning there is a lot of investment making both my iPod and my Library a breeze to manage. Sorry Creative!
Twitter / Facebook SocialScope Private Invite JUST Received!
Probably the quickest post ever but I have just received an invite for SocialScope a private Beta Twitter / Facebook App. I have waited ages and its finally arrived. Review coming shortly with pics! Here is a few sneaky previews…
Menu Logo
Account Creation
Social Networking Accounts
Logging In
SocialScope Timeline and Menu Layout
So there is some quick sneaky looks at the App, I will write a full review asap!!!
SocialScope Private Invite JUST Received!
Probably the quickest post ever but I have just received an invite for SocialScope a private Beta Twitter / Facebook App. I have waited ages and its finally arrived. Review coming shortly with pics! Here is a few sneaky previews…
Menu Logo
Account Creation
Social Networking Accounts
Logging In
SocialScope Timeline and Menu Layout
So there is some quick sneaky looks at the App, I will write a full review asap!!!
The Prick of Ice as if Upon the Sun
My life poured into disease, Which feels the prick of ice,
As if upon the sun.
The empty space to which,
I am contained within,
Tightens to claustrophobia,
Grippled in state, which time,
Shapes life into a numbing, torture of despair.
The people exist,
Not to be of importance,
Distracted,
As if the prick of ice upon the son,
The ignorance of emotion,
Irratates, impaired through my
Body as if still, but, as at work,
Brings hate.
The disease,
Draws the soul from beneath,
Shared and Ceased
Copyright 2006
Imagination
In the Darkness of imagination,
Life if contended for its purpose.
But it has no control.
In the silence of poetry,
Music echos in the heart.
Seeking to flee the normality of thought,
Poetry manipulates life’s imagination,
Powering every emotion.
In the twist of under-dying dogs,
Burning to scream by the world,
Good and Evil take imagination
Along journey; minds choose its
pattern,
selects,
destroys lives.
Thoughtful change in the mind can bring
sanity through madness.
Imagination…
Is a delicate tool.
Copyright 2006
Memory
Family, Friends and People,
Are you not but one,
A grain of sand,
Blown by the hands of a godly fate?
Discords, a liquid malleable sound,
The sound of a resonance,
Amidst the pale gray continuum,
Your eye cannot see your absence.
As a leaf pumps for life,
In a network of veins,
People will go on,
Missing, Forgetting, Remembering.
Streaming their way through,
Waiting for the waited,
Are you not but one?
As a void in space,
You will miss,
Will your redeemer come?
I Miss You
Copyright 2006
Top 10 System Utilities
As a gaming and PC enthusiast I always had an itch to make things faster and smoother but never really had the knowledge. One of the most useful programs I have ever come across that helped in this regard has to be Tune Up Utilities! However, there are a lot of programs out there that do an excellent job when optimizing PC’s. Here is a list of the top ten system utility programs on the market at the moment:
- Advanced System Optimizer
- System Mechanic
- SystemSuite
- PowerSuite
- Ace Utilities
- TuneUp Utilities
- WinCleaner OneClick Professional Clean
- Norton SystemWorks
- Super Utilities
- System LifeGuard
Why use System Utilities?
These programs are designed to keep your system in shape and free from problems and errors that most PC’s will eventually suffer from. All in all they have one specific aim and that is to make customization and improving your PC easier with as little knowledge as possible. These programs are simple, quick, and allow the user to improve their PC without the worry of breaking anything.
My personal preference is Tune Up Utilities. It offers a sold set of features which include freeing up disk space, maintaining start-up programs right through to optimization an internet connection and system settings. Tune Up Utilities actually have a trial copy you can use before you purchase, I would recommend trying before you buy any day. Which ever software you choose, it is a cost-effective means of getting that extra little bit power without breaking the bank.
Give it a Go!
Electricity Monitor – Save Money On Electricity
I have also had delivered a revolutionary Electricity Monitor from British Gas. Having signed up to Energy Smart and now “only paying for what I use”. I was sent the free monitor within 5 working days and well, I am surprised just how useful the little screen is.
The thing apparently costs 1p a year!!! So I am happy for it to be plugged in constantly. Set up it has two parts. You have a sensor connected to one of four cables connected to your meter reader, attached by a short cable with a transmitter powered by batteries. This transmitter is wirelessly paired with a USB powered screen that plugs into the mains.
The good thing about the little monitor is that it tells you in pounds and pence just how much electricity you are using at any given moment. Also you can set targets by KWH, Co2 and Expense. I myself was impressed to work out that my average consumption is 3.24KWH a day well below the 11KWH average.
If you want to move away from estimated bills, sign up to Energy Smart. I hear new meters are being installed that are hardwired to the provider and are almost like digital hubs that tell you usage and cost in real-time – 10,000 install so far apparently – what so that mean for the meter reading companies I wonder?
Well have a look, British Gas.
Nimbuzz – All in One Messenger
I have lots to write about. The first and most fulfilling discovery this week is Nimbuzz. I have been searching for an All in One Messenger that includes the likes of Facebook, Google Talk, Skype and Windows Live etc… Well Nimbuzz has the answer and the best thing is that it is Free and unlike IM+ or BeeJive connects you tall your networks with no charge.
After using the software for a week what I can say is a seamless connection service to all my fave networks. Whenever I get a IM a notification icon appears and you can even assign a ringtone to let you know you have been contacted. The only gripe I would have is that it seems to have a thirsty appetite for battery power. An email push service would be good for when you close the app but right now for what it is I am very impressed.
Being compatible with most mobile manufacturers, I recommend anyone to install and try it out, Nimbuzz.
Upgrading Your RAM (Memory For Dummies!)
My laptop is hardly the top of the range and after having it for the last 2 – 3 years I thought a memory upgrade might just be what it needs. With the much anticipated Windows 7 (positive or negative), I thought the time was right. But I asked myself where the best would be to buy memory for a laptop and more importantly at the right price?
Well after much searching in the land of the web, I discovered mermemory.co.uk. I have to say I was not disappointed. Even for the most technically challenged, this website actually makes it possible for any technophobe to order the memory they need with 100% success.
What is really useful about this site is the user is provided with a selection tool that identifies your exact make and model giving you or anyone the confidence of buying the right memory module. Delivery was quick, and well I’m typing on the laptop right now so the two sticks are working.
The only thing I would say is that some motherboards do need two modules of memory. I made the mistake of only ordering one 2GB stick and when I tried to repeat the order, because of the flat HTML design the second order did not get processed; nothing that a friendly customer support sorted out promptly on the Monday morning. Apart from that and the fact Mr Memory do not trade on the weekend, I would recommend a visit and a purchase.
The business has a genuine feel to it, but also very capable. Check it out.
