Creative's ZEN X-Fi player with WiFi

The Creative kids over at epiZENter have what looks to be a genuine scoop of an unannounced ZEN X-Fi. Not only did they receive this supposedly leaked photo, they also managed to dig out a "ZEN X-Fi Starter Pack" (software and user guide) from the bowels of Creative's own site. Accordingly, we're looking at DAP with SD expansion and built-in WiFi, speaker, FM tuner, voice recorder, and the ability to stream media from Creative's "Public Media Server." Additionally, users can chat with Yahoo! Messenger and Microsoft Live! users thanks to the 9-button, cellphone-like keypad. More details and genuflecting lie just beyond the read link.

Gigabyte M912 Netbook

The M912 will feature an 8.9-inch panel (resolution still unknown) with an Intel Atom CPU, and according to "sources," it'll support either Linux or Windows XP and could come stocked with Bluetooth.

Sling TR-40

The device that many DTV converter box shoppers seem to believe will be the one to get, won't be available until June and although we originally heard it would be sold as the Sling Media TR-40, recently the little box has gotten 50 percent smaller and will be called the DISH Network DTVPal.

ASUS vaguely hints at alternative Eee form factors

ASUS isn't being shy about its plan for global Eee domination, and it sounds like the company is exploring expanding beyond the laptop and desktop form factors we've already seen. Speaking to Current.com.au, ASUS Australia retail manager Emmanuele Silanesu said that ASUS's Eee group is "obviously looking at other form factors rather than just a clamshell," but wouldn't confirm anything -- and just to make things even hazier, Silanesu said that a forthcoming touchscreen machine from ASUS might not carry the Eee branding. That's just about as vague as it gets, but we're in agreement with UMPC Portal that ASUS has plenty of low-power, low-cost UMPCs on the shelf (like the R2E pictured above) that could easily be made over to fit with the Eee line. We'll see when we see -- Silanesu hinted that something was due to appear at Computex in June.

ASUS to preload Express Gate instant-on Linux on all new motherboards

Express Gate will include a browser based on Firefox and the Skype VoIP app, as well as media playing apps. DeviceVM describe it as a “secure web-surfing environment”. ASUS intend to release four new Express Gate-equipped motherboards this quarter: the P5Q Deluxe, P5Q-WS, P5Q3 Deluxe and P5Q-E. DeviceVM, meanwhile, still intend to get Splashtop on as many motherboards as it can, so don’t be surprised to see it available on ‘boards from other manufacturers in the upcoming months.