Rio launches rival to the iPod shuffle

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Posted by	Quakester2000
Posted on	10/02/05 00:53
Number of views	267

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Rio launches rival to the iPod shuffle

GristyMcFisty used our news submit to tell us that Rio has launched its latest line of Forge players to compete with the iPod Shuffle. The new Rio Forge has 512MB of flash memory which can then be increased in capacity with either SD or MMC cards. The device runs on a single 1.5 volt AAA battery and will last up to 20 hours according to Rio. The device also integrates a radio as well as a touch sensitive navigation pad with an LED backlit display.

The Rio Forge with retails at the extravagant price of Â£129 but is not really going to worry Apple much in terms of competition. The plain and simple fact is that the new Apple Shuffle 512MB version retails for just Â£69 while the 1GB model of the shuffle goes for Â£99. If you want a Radio and touchpad screen then for an extra Â£60 device will get you a device that does that.

Rio has hammered out the latest in its Forge range of digital media players, the Forge 512MB. It stands as its largest capacity flash-memory based player in the range, but this can be boosted still further with CD/MMC cards.A single AAA battery will last for 20 hours, claims the company, and the device boasts a touch-sensitive pad for navigation and an LED backlit display. It also has an integrated radio.

However, at an RRP of Â£129, it will have a tough time of it up against Apple, which has recently brought its iPod players within the reach of the budget-conscious consumer in the form of the Shuffle. Â£69 will buy you a 512MB version of a shuffle, while Â£99 will get you the 1GB model. So, it has no navigation or screen - the idea being that you listen to songs randomly - but Â£60 extra for the privilege may cause some to baulk at the new Rio.

Rio Forge 512

Source: PCPRO

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Posted by ninja_xxx on Thursday 10 February 2005 02:24

looks sooooo ugly.

Posted by Sir_SiLvA on Thursday 10 February 2005 03:21

" to compete "?

Everything is better than Ipod.
Okay this Rio thing looks ugly but
get a REAL Playa from iRiver and
your happy for a lifetime...

Posted by scum1 on Thursday 10 February 2005 03:37

sandisk makes a much better player for a similar price but it includes an lcd, fm radio , and a voice recorder. It also come with a free armband case. Iposd shuffle has an armband case for 30 more bucks. Don't buy the hype and be a sheep. I was thinking of gettng the shuffle but on closer inspection it sucks. Random play is good for you? F#ck that. Just goes to show you 60% of al people are idiots.

Posted by IsLNdbOi on Thursday 10 February 2005 08:17

Samsung makes some really nice ones too. I think Sandisk got their designs from Samsung. I'd take one of the Samsungs any day over the iPod Shuffle.

Posted by Aihyah on Monday 14 February 2005 18:59

when will they learn. apple was smart, keep price minimal for something people use as workout/auxiliary device. autofill making it easy to pickup each morning or whatever, no work or maintenance required. making more complicated device that approaches cost of hd based player is just pointless.

Posted by scum1 on Tuesday 15 February 2005 00:51

Whatabou the 30 dollar arm band case? You need it for working out really. They shaft you for 30 bucks for it and still the shuffle is crap. 1 gig of songs and no real way to find songs you want to hear. A rechargeable battery that will crap out in a year probably and cost you an arm and leg. No thanks. But I guess if you want to be cool like Bono go for it.

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