[note 1] Transfer of MP3 tracks to the player was facilitated by the provision of USB, Ethernet, and serial port connections.
[2][3] Prices started at $1,100 US for the 4GB version,[4]: 202 reaching up to $2,400 for a 28GB unit that utilized two laptop drives (which was considered very large capacity at the time).
On November 1, 2000 Empeg was acquired by SONICblue Incorporated and the unit was renamed the Rio Car.
Despite their owners' strong devotion to the product, sales of new units were modest and on September 24, 2001 SONICblue discontinued the line.
Most of the resources, including people, code, and design work, behind the Empeg Car went into the following products: SONICblue went bankrupt in 2003, but the Rio division was purchased by D&M Holdings.