Rio Unveils 4GB MP3 Player

[MacRumors]

Rio today announced a new 4GB version of their Rio Nitrus MP3 player.

The previous version of the Rio Nitrus was a $219 1.5GB device based on Cornice's previous 1.5GB mini hard drive.

The 4GB version is based on the previous design and will have an estimated U.S. street price of $249. No indication is given as to the hard drive technology used in the new version, but readers will note that Cornice just announced a 2.0GB version of their storage device.

Apple has been widely rumored to introduce new mini-iPods.

[Mr. Anderson]

Well, if they don't announce mini-pods, these new ones will have some serious competition to offer.

It brings up that old question of whether innovation and market leadership can be sustained over time......

D

[Gimzotoy]

So we are now aware that both 2GB and 4GB mini-hard drives, in fact, exist. This is very interesting, indeed.

[amichalo]

If you go to RIOaudio.com and look at the 1.5 GB Nitrus, you will see this:
"*1 GB equals 1,000,000,000 bytes" - sadly, Rio does not even know how many bytes are in a gigabyte.

[NoVi]

Wow, Rio is spoiling the Apple party..Steve Jobs will not be amused.

The Nitrus looks nice BTW.

[bensisko]

$250 seems pretty steep for 4gig, especially since I can get a 10 gig iPod for $299.

...especially if Apple refreshs the iPod line to make the 20 gig the low end at $299....

[amichalo]

Originally posted by Mr. Anderson
Well, if they don't announce mini-pods, these new ones will have some serious competition to offer.

Depends on how different the 'street price' is from the retail. At $249 - i'd rather spend another $50 and get an iPod with 250% the capacity, Apple engineering, and iTMS compatability.

[AirUncleP]

Rio is trying to steal second base when their down by 10 runs. Go right ahead but your still going to lose.

MacWorld announcements will be the topic of discussion in all my classes today.

[robbieduncan]

Originally posted by amichalo
If you go to RIOaudio.com and look at the 1.5 GB Nitrus, you will see this:
"*1 GB equals 1,000,000,000 bytes" - sadly, Rio does not even know how many bytes are in a gigabyte.

This is standard in the hard drive business. Apple say the same about the iPod.

From the iPod Tech specs page " (2) 1GB = 1 billion bytes; actual formatted capacity less."

[Wonder Boy]

i like the black shell it has. that being said, keeping with the "think different" mantra, i dont think we'll see mini black ipods despite their probable demand.

[Phobophobia]

Although I think Rio is a nice company, I don't think they will last long against the iPod if they are trying to compete with it. The Nitrus is a complete rip-off, and pretty much always has been.

[Gimzotoy]

I'd venture a guess that we're likely to see both a 2 and 4GB Mini-Pod, probably at $100-150 and $200-250 respectively. I'd then have to assume that these will be somehow different, either in overall appearance or features, to set them apart from the full iPods. I would guess that the 10GB may become a 15, perhaps the 20 to a 30, and 40 to 60? All at their current price-points. There it is, my "official" guess

[pkradd]

This shows that a $ 99 price for a HD based player is wishful thinking. Reality is sometimes not apparent at Apple-centric sites I'm afraid.

[Stella]

Just as well Apple are about to announce cheaper mini iPods then isn't it?!

[Abstract]

Originally posted by amichalo
Depends on how different the 'street price' is from the retail. At $249 - i'd rather spend another $50 and get an iPod with 250% the capacity, Apple engineering, and iTMS compatability.

It has 16 hour battery life, which may be enough to entice a person like myself to buy one of these instead of an iPod.

Mac loyalist? Yes, I love Apple. However, I won't buy an iPod if another product seems better. 4GB is plenty of space. Heck, 2GB is plenty of space. The average consumer doesn't need 40GB of HD space. If Apple releases a $179 2GB iPod with a decent battery life, then that would make my decision very difficult.

[Sabenth]

no doubt about it the pods are coming to play this rio thing hmm its a name thing i think the iPod will win this one

[backspinner]

Recent reports show that the Rio Nitrus 1.5GB is the best-selling 1.5GB MP3 player on the market

The best selling 1.5GB... that is like saying "my only car I have is the fastest car I have".

[dietsoda]

The UK Apple Store has been offering free engraving on the ipods, but only if you buy before Jan 6th.

I'm really hoping for a mini ipod in red!

I really like these little buggers too though, and they support aac (if not fairplay drm):

http://www.daisymm.com/l/en/mpz/divagem_det.html

I'll be interested to see what Apple can come up with.

[Beowulf]

I think that this is just Rio's 15 minutes of fame. As soon as Apple releases all their new products today, the press is going to be covering anything Apple related. Not to be an Apple zealot, but since Apple has #1 MP3 player marketshare any new music-related products they release are going to be talked about more than any Rio product.

-rtc.


PS: I think it's humorous that Rio releases a low-capacity MP3 player the day Apple is rumored to release one of their own

[mathematician]

Originally posted by robbieduncan
This is standard in the hard drive business. Apple say the same about the iPod.

From the iPod Tech specs page " (2) 1GB = 1 billion bytes; actual formatted capacity less."

The standard is as follows:

1kB = 1000 Bytes
1KB = 1024 Bytes

So maybe it should be:

1mB = 10^6 Bytes
1MB = 2^20 Bytes = 1024 KB
1gB = 10^9 Bytes
1GB = 2^30 Bytes

See http://foldoc.doc.ic.ac.uk/foldoc/foldoc.cgi?prefix

[macnews]

Originally posted by Abstract
4GB is plenty of space. Heck, 2GB is plenty of space. The average consumer doesn't need 40GB of HD space.

I disagree with the average consumer being fine with 2GB of space. I would say I have an average music collection and it takes up 8 GB of space. Could I pare it down? Sure, but cutting it down to by 6 GB would be difficult. I would also be more frustrated at having to pick and choose which music I wanted to have stored much more so than worring about the battery. Again, from an average consumer perspective, I think the iPod battery isn't too bad. I listen to my iPod driving to and from work (using an iTrip) and occassionaly while at work (about 3 hours total/day). I can make it two days w/o re-charging. I charge every night just in case.

Do I wish the battery lasted longer - yes. Would I prefer longer battery over less storage - no way, not how I actually use it.

I think this Reo thing is no news to the iPod. I hope Apple introduces a 4GB mini-iPod right at $199. I don't see how it could run $249 if the 15GB is supposed to be the low end at $299. It would have to be one helluva different form factor to justify the price IMHO.

[Porcelain]

The cheeky barstards! They are tyring to steal Apple's thunder. Bring on the Expo! Rio over price all their products.

[cripdyke]

@ www.powermax.com

you can get a 5gb ipod right now for $179

and

a 10gb ipod right now for $199


when the 10gb low-end 3g ipod is replaced w/ a 15 or 20 (perhaps today) powermax and sites like it will be selling the 10gb 3g ipods for the same price as rio's 4gb player.

pretty sad, really. I just don't see how it's a worthwhile or attractive product, even w/ a 16 vs. 10 hour battery (which really mean 11 vs. 7, but still.....)

[jholzner]

Originally posted by pkradd
This shows that a $ 99 price for a HD based player is wishful thinking. Reality is sometimes not apparent at Apple-centric sites I'm afraid.

I'll second that one!

[Porcelain]

I think $149 is a reasonable price. Apple can do it. Rio always add a huge mark up to their price or their supplies sell them expensive hardware.

Well we will all find out soon