ie8 fix
CONSUMER ELECTRONICS SHOW: CNET editors cover the Next Big Thing
CES 2005: The Next Big Thing
Accessories
Burners and storage
Car tech
Cell phones and handhelds
Computers
Digital photo and video
Home theater
Networking
Peripherals
Portable audio and video
Software and services
Televisions
CES videos
XML

CES 2005: The Next Big Thing
The Rio CE2100: can microdrive players get any smaller?
January 5, 2005; 12:30 p.m.
Rio CE2100
The product: Since the dawn of the iPod Mini, a slew of microdrive players have been released, all of them aiming to take a bite out of Apple's pie and most boasting Seagate's 1-inch, 5GB drive. In fact, this extra gigabyte of storage has been the main selling point against the Mini. So it came as somewhat of a surprise when Rio unveiled the sleek and slender CE2100. This 2.5GB MP3 player allows Rio to offer a player at the more affordable $200 price point. Key features and specs include:
  • Ultraslim design
  • Up to 20 hours of battery life
  • USB 2.0 connection
  • Seamless integration with both PC and Mac platforms
  • Support for tracks purchased from online music stores
The price: $200

The prospects: The Rio Carbon proved to be an excellent portable audio device, and we expect as much from the CE2100. Some people might question the relevance of a 2.5GB microdrive players in the sea of like devices with 5GB of storage, but others will no doubt see the appeal of this notably smaller--and cheaper--player. Plus, there's no doubt a demand for an up-to-date option that falls between the 1GB and 5GB marks.

By Jasmine France, associate editor, CNET Reviews



ie8 fix
CES BUZZ BLOG
Our inveterate Buzz-er Molly Wood is on the CES show floor, digging up the stories and the hottest buzz. What's the latest? Take a look at Molly's buzz blog and find out.
Read the latest
Molly Wood
Molly Wood
Senior editor


NEXT BIG THING AWARD
CES is full of cool gadgets, but which ones will you be lining up to buy? Our editors cut through the hype and tell you what products will be the Next Big Thing.
See the finalists
Next Big Thing Award


CNET'S CES BACKSTAGE CREW
We gave six regular, everyday CNET users backstage passes to CES 2005. You'll never guess what they discover in their travels through the wonderland of gear and gadgets.
Meet the crew
CNET's CES Backstage Crew



See CES products by category
CES Buzz Blog
Our inveterate Buzz-er Molly Wood has been unleashed on the CES show floor to dig up the stories and the hottest buzz. Find out her plan of attack against the huge electronics show.
Next Big Thing Award
CES is full of cool gadgets, but which ones will you be lining up to buy? Our editors cut through the hype and tell you what products will be the Next Big Thing.
CES Backstage Crew
We gave six regular, everyday CNET users backstage passes to CES 2005. You'll never guess what they discover in their travels through the wonderland of gear and gadgets.