While Microsoft is ramping up its Zune HD portable media player (PMP)–even with an early announcement and some insights, including an HD engine, fast processor, internet capabilities, and more–Google has been laying low leaving developers and manufacturers to tinker with its own Android operating system rather than releasing a Google-branded device. The result in Google’s laissez-faire endeavors lies in Creative’s Zii Egg, a knock off of what the Cupertino designed for the iPhone and iPod Touch with branding that closely resembles Nintendo’s gaming console the Wii.

For its part, the Zii Egg is a touchscreen device that can be loaded with Android and is being advertised as “Android-ready.” The PMP will feature a multi-touch display, output capabilities of up to 1080p for high definition video, Flash Lite capable for viewing webpages, and more. The Zii Egg will be expandable up to 64 GB of storage for those who purchase an SD card. Support for OpenGL ES 3D will make the device’s gaming experience comparable to Apple’s lineup. In addition, Opera Mobile 9.7 will be supported.

Despite the strong focus on 3D and 2D graphics rendering engine, the disparity of the Zii Egg may play in Apple’s and Microsoft’s favor with the iPod and Zune HD. Being “Android-ready” will mean that Creative will probably have a proprietary version of the device with its own UI and OS and an Adroid build, meaning twice the development work for one hardware platform. As Creative tries to woo developers in this emerging platform, software makers will find that they may have double the amount of work for them.

The device is currently limited to developers who join the development program and get a kit for $399, of which the device will be included for that asking price. Creative is hoping to get its “eggs” to the market for a lot cheaper, with a goal of $199.

(via: AppleInsider)