Skip to main content

Creative Introduces Slim Zen Neeon 2

Creative Introduces Slim Zen Neeon 2
Image used with permission by copyright holder

Lately Creative might be best-known for getting bushwhacked by a series of patent infringement lawsuits from Apple after threatening the iPod with its so-called “Zen Patent.” But, you know, the company also makes these things called portable music players, and today it introduced the slim and sleek Zen Neeon 2, which proves the company doesn’t intend to stand still which it engages in what might be years of painful patent litigation with the Cupertino Mafia. And even better: Creative’s making a set of four Stik-On skins available for the Neeon 2 so you can customize the look of the player to match your style—so long as that style is Hip-Hop, J-Pop, Punk Rock, or Classical.

“Following the success of our very popular ZEN Neeon, we designed the ZEN Neeon 2 with the aim to offer users even more functions and customizability. Savvy users can now carry all their music, photos and videos in one ultra lightweight player wherever they go. Furthermore, trendy users can make bold fashion statements by mixing and matching the 5 new beautiful brushed metal backplate colours with the ever popular Creative Stik-On skins. There is no limitation to how users can express themselves through this versatile beauty,” said Joseph Liow, Creative VP and General Manager of Creative Labs Asia.

Recommended Videos

The Zen Neeon 2 is slim (12.5 mm thick), lightweight (50 grams) portable media player which combined music functions with an FM radio receiver plus photo and video capability. The Zen Neeon 2 supports MP3, WMA, and WAV audio (sorry, no support for AAC or songs purchased from iTunes), plus support for showing JPEG images and transcoded AVi video on its built-in 1.5-inch, 128 by 128 pixel screen. Sure, that resolution isn’t going to make you give up your high-definition TV—or even a tiny, handheld portable TV—but it’s enough to show a silly cell phone video to your friends or have folks squeal about how delightfully cute your progeny/pet/significant other might be. And you’ll want the videos to be short anyway, since the Zen Neeon 2 is available in 1, 2 and 4 GB capacities. The unit claims to offer up to 20 hours of audio playback and 8 hours of (short, remember?) video playback on a single charge of its embedded lithium-ion polymer battery. The unit also sports a built-in mic for voice recording, line input, built-in EQ (eight presets, five-band custom EQ), and USB 2.0 connectivity.

Creative says the Zen Neeon 2’s will be available this month at $199 for the 1 GB version or $269 for the 2 GB version—both sizes will be available in light orange, blue, pink, silver, and black. The $309 4 GB edition will be available in black or silver “at a later date” (presumably when flash memory gets cheap enough Creative isn’t losing money on each unit). And, if you’re realy curious, the Stik-on skins are $15.90 a pack.

Geoff Duncan
Former Contributor
Geoff Duncan writes, programs, edits, plays music, and delights in making software misbehave. He's probably the only member…
Sebastian Stan lays out Bucky’s future after Thunderbolts
Sebastian Stan in Thunderbolts.

There are some spoilers ahead for the ending of Marvel's Thunderbolts. Stop reading now if you don't want to be spoiled.

Earlier this year, Captain America: Brave New World briefly introduced a new direction for James "Bucky" Barnes, a character Sebastian Stan has been playing since 2011 in Captain America: The First Avenger. In Brave New World, the former Winter Soldier apparently retired from being a reformed hero and went into politics by running for Congress. Thunderbolts reveals that Bucky won his election to the House of Representatives. But his stay in Congress was short.

Read more
Jeep Compass EV breaks cover—but will it come to the U.S.?
jeep compass ev us newjeepcompassfirsteditionhawaii  4

Jeep just pulled the wraps off the all-new Compass EV, and while it’s an exciting leap into the electric future, there's a catch—it might not make it to the U.S. anytime soon.
This is a brand new electric version of the Jeep Compass, and being built on Stellantis' STLA platform—the same architecture underpinning models like the Peugeot E-3008 and E-5008—it looks much slicker and packs a lot more inside than previous versions of the Compass.
Let’s start with what’s cool: the new Compass EV is packing up to 404 miles of range on a single charge, a 74 kWh battery, and fast-charging that gets you from 20% to 80% in about 30 minutes. Not bad for a compact SUV with Jeep's badge on the nose.
There are two versions: a front-wheel-drive model with 213 horsepower and a beefier all-wheel-drive version with 375 horsepower. That AWD setup isn’t just for looks—it can handle 20% inclines even without front traction, and comes with extra ground clearance and better off-road angles. In short, it’s still a Jeep.
The design's been refreshed too, and inside you’ll find the kind of tech and comfort you’d expect in a modern EV—sleek, smart, and ready for both city streets and dirt trails.
But here’s the thing: even though production starts soon in Italy, Jeep hasn’t said whether the Compass EV is coming to America. And the signs aren’t promising.
Plans to build it in Canada were recently put on hold, with production now delayed until at least early 2026. Some of that might have to do with possible U.S. tariffs on Canadian and Mexican vehicles—adding a layer of uncertainty to the whole rollout.
According to Kelley Blue Book, a Stellantis spokesperson confirmed that the company has “temporarily paused work on the next-generation Jeep Compass, including activities at” the Canadian plant that was originally meant to build the model. They added that Stellantis is “reassessing its product strategy in North America” to better match customer needs and demand for different powertrain options.
So while Europe and other markets are gearing up to get the Compass EV soon, American drivers might be left waiting—or miss out entirely.
That’s a shame, because on paper, this electric Jeep hits a lot of sweet spots. Let’s just hope it finds a way over here.

Read more
Charlie Cox singles out his least favorite Daredevil: Born Again episode
Charlie Cox in Daredevil: Born Again.

Daredevil: Born Again season 1 was largely reconceived after the 2023 actor and writer strikes. Dario Scardapane -- a veteran of The Punisher series on Netflix -- was brought in to be the new showrunner and he made a lot of changes to the series that were well-received. However, there's one episode that Scardapane didn't really change at all, and it happens to be the least favorite episode of Daredevil: Born Again's leading man, Charlie Cox.

During an appearance on The Playlist, Cox noted that he wasn't very fond of the season's fifth episode, "With Interest," which was a largely standalone episode that featured his character, Matt Murdock, in a bank during a hostage crisis.

Read more