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First Look: Rio's Hot New Carbon MP3 Player Supersleek 5GB digital audio player is set to challenge Apple's IPod Mini.Tom Mainelli, PC World
Rio's new 5GB Carbon is the sleekest MP3 player I've laid eyes on. Happily, the device, which hits stores this week, isn't just about looks: A simple interface and amazing battery life make it the new mini to beat.
The Carbon targets music lovers who want something more pocketable than today's larger, higher-capacity 20GB hard-drive players, but who are unwilling to settle for lower-capacity, flash- based devices. At $249, it's not inexpensive, but it is comparable in both size and price to Apple's much-adored IPod Mini--and it offers a full 1GB more storage space.
A Design Marvel
The Carbon's wedge-shaped design is truly a sight to behold. It weighs just 3.2 ounces, and its dimensions--2.4 inches wide, 3.3 inches tall, and 0.6 inches deep--make it insanely easy to slip into a shirt, pants, or jacket pocket. The front is a scratch-resistant gray plastic, and the back is a metallic, fingerprint-prone mirrored surface.
The evolutionary cousin of Rio's still-shipping 1.5-GB Nitrus, the Carbon replaces that unit's mini-joystick with a smooth- operating directional pad. Using it in conjunction...