Rio launches rival to the iPod shuffle

Quakester2000

February 10, 2005

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.