Creative Labs Has E-Reader in the Works

The e-reader market is certainly getting crowded. The latest entrant? Creative Labs. The Singapore-based manufacturer is reportedly working on an e-reader of its own called the Zii MediaBook. The new e-reader will offer enhanced features including a touchscreen, Web browsing, text-to-speech, video playback and an SD card slot. The company plans to offer Zii user’s on-the-go access to Facebook and Twitter as well as photo viewing. Availability and pricing remain unknown, though $259 has become the sweet spot for e-reader pricing with Amazon’s Kindle joining the upcoming B&N Nook at this price.

Hard details such as the operating system that will underpin the Zii MediaBook remain unknown, though Android has been speculated as a likely candidate. No mention of 3G compatibility has yet been made. Creative is currently in talks with content publishers and intends to offer the full range of content on the Zii–books, newspapers, magazines, textbooks, etc.

With the holidays just around the corner, e-reader manufacturers are surely hoping the public has a big case of e-book lust. As cool of an idea as an e-reader is, I’d rather shave my eyeballs with a Mach 5 than read books and newspapers on an electronic device that cost hundreds. I’ll stick with hard copies and/or free Internet content.

How about you? Who’s putting a new Kindle, Nook or other e-reader at the top of their holiday wishlist? [via DailyTech and SlashGear]