Creative Technology today introduced the Creative ZEN Vision W portable video, photo and MP3 player that features a high resolution, 4.3-inch, 16:9 format, color widescreen TFT display.

“We designed the Creative ZEN Vision W with a stunning 16:9-format widescreen and 30GB or 60GB capacity to be the most compelling portable video player and photo viewer on the market,” said Sim Wong Hoo, chairman and CEO of Creative. “With support for a large selection of video formats, subscription and download music services and a built-in Compact Flash slot for direct transfer of photos from many popular digital cameras, the Creative ZEN Vision W is the ultimate travel companion.”

FoxConn/ Hongfujin Precision Industry, Apple’s Chinese iPod manufacturer, said Thursday it has cut its demand for defamation damages over a report it mistreated its workers to a symbolic 1 yuan (12 U.S. cents; 10 euro cents), following a wave of bad publicity. The company also said it was withdrawing its request that the court handling the case freeze the journalists‚Äô personal assets.

Apple announced yesterday that it was trying to settle the lawsuit over reporting of unacceptable labor practices.

In related news, Hongfujin reports that its profits gained 43 percent in the second quarter on rising demand for music players and mobile phones.

Adonis Furniture has introduced the first “Made for iPod” video game/rocker chair.

The iRocker is an interactive gaming chair with docking station that allows the user to lounge comfortably while enjoying surround-sound music . IIt comes complete with remote control, a multi-position reclining back, Heavy Magnet speakers, Base Tube (on many models), audio inputs, additional line input (to use with other brand MP3 players) and master volume dial with LED indicator light (for non-docking models). It can also be used with any electronic device that has an audio output, making it great for video game sound set-up.

“As the only chair made specifically for iPod, our iRocker has the style, design and functionality to make it the perfect complement to the player,” said Matt Sansoe, General Manager of Adonis Furniture.

Dr. William Pence, Chief Technology Officer at Napster, is unfazed by rumors that Microsoft may orphan its digital rights management technology when it releases the Zune media player and web services.

According to Pence, market pressures will eventually lead to open, interoperable media formats.”Pundits have concluded that Microsoft will abandon PlaysforSure, leaving online music services like Napster, MTV, Yahoo Music, Rhapsody, and presumably even emerging video services like Vongo and CinemaNow, without an underlying platform on which to offer content protection,” notes Pence.

“I believe strongly that the market in the end must and will be based on interoperable digital formats,” he adds. “If DRM is used to erect barriers to that goal, then there is no question it will be swept aside, and the industry may end up with what many have believed was the obvious choice from the beginning: open MP3 files.”

Podango has introduced a new site, now in beta, that offers free hosted services for the management of “podcast stations”. The service is designed to provide “Station Directors”, who own their Podango Stations as independent media properties, a complete platform to create and interact with subscribers.

‚ÄúWe have been working hard under the radar to bring podcast solutions to market that we believe will dramatically improve the online and offline experience for the growing number of podcast listeners,” said Douglas G. Smith, president, Podango. “We also believe it will greatly enhance monetization opportunities for podcasters and business people looking to leverage the growing podcasting market.‚Äù

Apple said Wednesday it was trying to settle a lawsuit over reporting of unacceptable labor practices at a Chinese iPod. Earlier in the week, FoxConn, Apple’s supplier, sued the Chinese journalists that uncovered the practices.

Apple recently admitted that FoxConn violated Apple’s Code of Conduct. Unacceptable conditions included dormitory style sleeping arrangements for workers where employees were stacked on bunks three high; employee wage schemes were overly complex, making dispute resolution difficult; “normal” 60-hour work weeks were exceeded 35% of the time and frequent 7-days work weeks.

Apple’s supplier is suing reporter Wang You and editor Weng Bao for 30 million yuan (US $3.8 million; euro 3 million) in the Intermediate Court in the southern city of Shenzhen, which froze the journalists’ personal assets pending the trial.

The lawsuit is keeping the iPod labor controversy in the news, and Reporters Without Borders, an advocate for journalists’ rights, has asked Apple’s chief executive, Steve Jobs, to intervene.

“We believe that all Wang and Weng did was to report the facts and we condemn Foxconn’s reaction,” said Robert Menard, secretary-general of Reporters Without Borders. “We therefore ask you to intercede on behalf of these two journalists so that their assets are unfrozen and the lawsuit is dropped.”

Apple today announced that Dr. Eric Schmidt, chief executive officer of Google, was elected to Apple‚Äôs board of directors at their meeting today. Eric also sits on Google‚Äôs board of directors and Princeton University‚Äôs board of trustees.In Apple’s announcement, Schmidt and Apple CEO Jobs expressed their admiration for each other and their respective organizations.

“Eric is obviously doing a terrific job as CEO of Google, and we look forward to his contributions as a member of Apple’s board of directors,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “Like Apple, Google is very focused on innovation and we think Eric’s insights and experience will be very valuable in helping to guide Apple in the years ahead.”

Microsoft is moving quickly to respond to FairUse4WM, a free program which threatens to undermine Microsoft-based online music service offerings.

FairUse4WM, a so-called DRM-stripper, lets users remove the rights management software from music downloads in Microsoft’s Windows Media DRM (digital rights management) 10 and 11. The formats are used by many online music services to enforce limits on the use and distribution of downloaded music.

The application makes it possible for users of services like Napster, which offer unlimited downloads, to remove encryption, so that downloaded files can be used even if the music service is cancelled. It also lets users move the files to iPods and other unsupported devices.

Universal Music Group (UMG) has announced an agreement with SpiralFrog to make UMG’s catalog available for legal downloading in the US and Canada via SpiralFrog’s advertising-supported service.SpiralFrog will offer users of its no-cost web-based service the ability to legally download music by many of the world’s most popular and award-winning artists.

No mention has been made of device support, but it’s likely that iPods will not be supported because of digital rights management limitations.

FoxConn, an Apple supplier that became a thorn in Apple’s side when journalists revealed FoxConn’s oppressive labor practices, has sued the journalists over their report.

Apple recently admitted that FoxConn violated Apple’s Code of Conduct. Unacceptable conditions included dormitory style sleeping arrangements for workers where employees were stacked on bunks three high; employee wage schemes were overly complex, making dispute resolution difficult; “normal” 60-hour work weeks were exceeded 35% of the time and frequent 7-days work weeks.