Review: RioRiot Kevin Martin | Tech Section Manager 4/1902 Not long ago, I reviewed with glowing remarks the Creative Nomad MP3 Jukebox (see Creative Creates Again Fall 2001). After much research, and a strenuous design process, Diamond Multimedia has created it's answer to the Nomad. The device is the RioRiot. The RioRiot, like the machine it's designed to compete with, brags a massive 20Gb hard drive, which will hold even the largest MP3 collection. Able to support newer, higher bit-rate compressions of up to 320Kbps as well as Windows Media Format, the device also brags an intuitive interface which memorizes your favorite tracks for replay. Does all of this sound familiar? It does to me, so I  asked the questions: What makes this so special, and why would someone buy this device which has been so badly beaten to market? The answer is two fold. First, the RioRiot comes with a feature only recently appearing on MP3 players...an FM Radio Tuner. Yes, you read correctly, the RioRiott comes with a built in FM Radio tuner. With this device, you can not only listen to your entire CD collection (your roomates too!), but you can take a minute to listen to your favorite radio station. Perhaps, though, the most impressive feature of this device is it's battery. The RioRiot comes equipped with a built-in rechargeable Lithium Ion battery that is rated to last over 10 hours! Giving a generous power-consumption curve to the Nomad, we can assume it's battery life is about equivalent. The kicker is the Nomad is using expensive, disposable AA batteries, while the RioRiot uses this new lithium battery. Simply plug in and listen to your music for a few hours in the evening, and by morning your device is fully charged, ready to go for a full day of listening! It's almost anti-climactic to mention that headphones are included in the basic package, a carrying case is included, and that the whole device weighs a mere 10oz. That's less then 1/8th the weight of a textbook.  Perhaps it's one flaw is it's price. The RioRiot retails for a high $400.00 at the sonicblue website. All in all, the RioRiot is a very impressive device, we here at the Whim staff egarly await a demo-model for real-world testing. Look forward to seeing this and other previously reviewed devices in our "living with the product" reviews coming this fall.