VIDEO: ZiiLABS announces Plaszma platform, Zii EGG device

Android-loving iPod touch rival to launch as blank canvas for companies to customise

wsxz Embed

28 July 2009 18:05 GMT / By Amy-Mae Elliott

Creative has announced a new initiative that will open the floodgates for hardware makers to create portable devices to go up against the iPod touch.

Although no devices are available today, a new announcement from the recently created Creative ZiiLABS means challengers are going to be coming soon.

ZiiLabs has officially announced the release of "Plaszma" an open source platform for both the Plaszma or Android operating system.

As part of the launch, the company has also intro-ed the Android and Plaszma compatible Zii EGG Handheld StemCell Computer that offers a 3.5-inch 10-point multi-gesture touchscreen and the ability to output HD video up to 1080p.

The Wi-Fi-enabled device also boasts a GPS receiver, forward and rear facing cameras, Bluetooth 2.1+EDR, SDHC card slot, 256MB RAM, up to 64GB of storage, X-Fi audio tech, accelerometer and a headphone socket.

Boasting "stunning 3D graphics on a small handheld battery-powered device", the EGG goes on sale for $199 and is aimed at designers and manufacturers to build on and then release as their own customised devices.

It's not clear how long it will take the first manufacturers to pick this up, fine tune it and then launch it under whatever name they see fit, but we will keep you posted.

There's a slightly stilted demo video above to keep you going until we hear more.