Creative debuts 32 GB flash Zen for Singapore, US

Creative upped the ante on flash-based players, offering the first flash-based player with storage comparable to some of today's hard-drive based models.

The latest Zen model will come with 32 GB of storage, slightly more than the standard sized Zune and iPod models. At that size, it would be the first flash-based player to eclipse the capacity of currently available HDD-based devices.

Previously, the largest available flash-based players came in 16 GB versions, including a Zen as well as Apple's iPod Touch.

Creative's latest Zen will carry the same features as its predecessors, including a 2.5" color screen, support for MP3, WMA, and AAC (including iTunes Plus tracks), and a wide variety of video formats.

At that capacity, the Zen 32 GB will be able to hold about 8,000 songs, or 110 hours of video according to the device's specifications. Another positive is better battery life: the player will allow for about 30 hours of continuous music playback or five hours of video.

The player will first be launched in Singapore by mid-month at a price of S$549.00 ($379 USD). The player will be released here in the States for a price of $329, although a date was not given.

Data on release specifics for other regions was not immediately available.

Numerous blogs have indicated that a 32 GB release in Europe is not likely, with one saying Creative had told it the model "is not even on the roadmap." Even so, Creative has launched a new 2 GB flash-based Zen in the market, retailing for £69 in the UK.