HP To Start Selling Its iPod 313
Dozix007 writes "Uberhacker.Com is reporting that HP said Friday it will start selling its version of the iPod in September. HP's white iPod will be sold in a 20-gigabyte and 40-gigabyte version for $299 and $399 respectively. Apple's prices are the same. It is essentially a clone of the current design, with no real modification."
What's the point? (Score:4, Interesting)
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Bad bad bad... (Score:4, Interesting)
Recognizable as an iPod? (Score:2, Interesting)
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Bundling possibilities? (Score:5, Interesting)
First Apple "clone" license? (Score:2, Interesting)
Good for Apple to extend their market, but might be bad if HP competes in similar market channels.
Support (Score:4, Interesting)
Confusing to the End User (Score:3, Interesting)
Dell (Score:5, Interesting)
Comment removed (Score:4, Interesting)
Brings up an interesting question (Score:2, Interesting)
What constitutes price fixing?
There are differences between HP and Apple iPod (Score:2, Interesting)
Re:Not Just A Clone.... (Score:1, Interesting)
The iPod has used iTunes on both Windows and Mac for a long while now. Nobody's stuck with the sucktastic MusicMatch Jukebox (except maybe Dell DJ users). HP's iPods and computers are shipping with iTunes, not "HP's software."
Similarly, USB 2.0 support isn't new. Syncing via USB 2.0 has been supported for, what, three generations of iPod now? And the current model adds the ability to charge via USB 2.0.
Re:Listen up people; there are alternatives!! (Score:2, Interesting)
As another poster points out, the iPod WILL play any MP3 you put on there. It will also play MPEG-4/AAC, which IS a standard format, licensed from Dolby. It will even play plain-old WAV files, too. The iPod doesn't support Windows Media files, but if you're using iTunes, WMA files will automatically be converted to MP3 or AAC when you import them to your library.
Maybe you're not familiar with Audible [audible.com], which is an online store for Audiobooks. Audible has its own DRM-protected format which only a few portable players support, one of which is the iPod.
As far as pricing is concerned, the iPod is probably the most expensive in terms of $$/gigabyte, but not by much. Last time I checked, other 20GB players were in the $250-300 range, too. (A 20GB iPod sells for $299 or less)
Hey, it's great you like your big old Archos jukebox. But, I wanted a portable music player that was small and light enough to strap to my arm while I go out bicycling and to the gym. And I wanted one that would play Audible's audiobooks, too. The iPod was my only choice.
I'll admit, my biggest frustration with my iPod is with the software; I wish I could just plug it in and drag-and-drop my music via Windows Explorer. But it's a pretty minor complaint; Aside from being a memory hog, iTunes really is a great media player and organizer. And I still feel that the iPod is the best MP3 player for me.
Re:If it works..... (Score:2, Interesting)
As someone else further up stated, HP's days are numbered. HP is no longer thinking any more then the next quarters numbers and the firing [freep.com] of three executives earlier this month shows that big time. You can only coast on a name so long. A quote contained in the link above:
"You have to be concerned about the leadership at Hewlett-Packard, every quarter, it seems to be a different explanation for what went wrong."
HP smart to stick with white and sell printable .. (Score:3, Interesting)
"HP describes the Tattoos as follows: The ultra-thin HP Printable Tattoos are easy to apply and remove from the player's exterior. They are durable and water-resistant, which helps protect the iPod from scratches and scuffs as music lovers carry it around. HP is working with industry recording studios to offer consumers access to the latest album art from the newest releases."
http://www.macobserver.com/article/2004/08/27.6.s
Battery replacement policy (Score:2, Interesting)