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."
Is this really news? (Score:5, Funny)
<homer> (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Is this really news? (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:Is this really news? (Score:3, Informative)
I'm not against class action law suits in principle, and we've seen them do some good, but we've also seen too much abuse.
What bothers me the most about such abuses is that they give ammunition to the "tort reformers" who would like to see only the corporations and the rich with access to lawyers.
If it works..... (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:If it works..... (Score:5, Funny)
why change em?
Re:If it works..... (Score:5, Funny)
Cos my villagers researched ARMOR!
Re:If it works..... (Score:3, Informative)
It wasn't armour that nullified the tactical advantage of the longbow, it was the invention of gunpowder and the musket.
Re:If it works..... (Score:2, Insightful)
Re:If it works..... (Score:5, Insightful)
What do you mean by "it"? HP's decision to stop all innovation and try to become a follower in everything they do by just cloning and reselling the products of others?
This aproach may work for the cheap taiwanese knock-offs companies we're all familiar with, but I'd expect better from HP.
These guys once had everything - the best CPUs (Alpha, PA RISC), and now they're an intel-clone-box-reseller. Solid operating systems (HPUX, VMS), and now they're just a microsoft reseller. The best search engine (DEC, now HP) could have been google.
Seems their strategy now it to let everyone else do all the innovation, and just become a follower and hope to make money reselling other's designs (such as attempting to resell Linux and use SCO FUD to become the prefered vendor).
HP... why don't you try hiring back some of those guys you fired and making some of your own advances again.
Re:If it works..... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:If it works..... (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:If it works..... (Score:3, Funny)
HP worse than you think on this... (Score:5, Insightful)
Compaq _invented_ the hard drive MP3 player. They had their first prototypes in 1997-8, I think. Their marketing folks decided that no one would want one, and they licensed the design off to a Korean company in 1999. You can read about it here [compaq.com] and here [pjbox.com].
I got mine in early 1999, unit #4. It still does things that the iPod doesn't do, like gapless MP3 playback. It has a superior interface, battery life and sound quality. A shrunken version with an attractive design would have kicked ass.
At any rate, HP bought Compaq, which means that they actually own patents covering almost every aspect of the iPod.
So what does the New HP do? They license the iPod from Apple. Yup, pay Apple for the IP that they own. I'm guessing that the clever MBAs running the company never decided to do a simple patent search.
Thus, HP wins the Dumbest Big Company Ever award. HP's stupidity regarding this matter has been confirmed to me by former employees who will remain nameless.
Jonathan
Re:HP worse than you think on this... (Score:5, Insightful)
Then there's the iTunes Music Store. Could HP duplicate the technology behind that? Sure. Could HP make the same deals that Apple has with record labels? Maybe, maybe not. HP hasn't got Steve Jobs to capture record company execs under a Reality Distortion Field, and HP hasn't got nearly as much credibility as Apple in the music industry, because it isn't HP's computers that are sitting on the desks of most professional musicians. Even if HP could negotiate deals to get as much content as Apple has managed to get under similar licensing terms, it would probably take many months. And a lot of independent labels would probably just ignore them, because, again, they just haven't got Apple's image.
All in all, it's really pretty easy to see why HP would rather resell the iPod (presumably on very favorable terms, in exchange for bundling iTunes) than compete with it. Just think of how many 'iPod killers' have come and gone without putting a dent in the iPod's meteoric rise.
Re:HP worse than you think on this... (Score:3, Funny)
Posted annonymously as I am an HP employee.
Re:HP worse than you think on this... (Score:2)
Fact is that HP/Compaq had product _years_ before Apple did, but they totally blew it. They could have defined this market to be, s
Early Apple computers were as successful as iPod (Score:3, Insightful)
You are mistaken. Early Apple computers were as successful in their day as iPod is today. History has repeated itself so far. Hopefully Apple will now deviate from history and maintain their market lead.
Re:Early Apple computers were as successful as iPo (Score:3, Informative)
Again, this is comparing different relative time frames. The Apple II initially did well against the IBM PC. Apple initially had greater marketshare. It took years to lose that. Apple's "marginalization" took place in the post-1984 Macintosh era, not the prior Apple II era. For a fair compa
Re:HP worse than you think on this... (Score:3, Funny)
Prices DID go down a little... (Score:2)
Doubt it goes down much further.. Will hover around that price, and each new generation will have bigger drives...
Just a guess..
Re:Prices DID go down a little... (Score:2)
Re:If it works..... (Score:3, Insightful)
Makes it harder for competition to enter the market.
if two businessmen come with the same idea (Score:4, Insightful)
Why couldn't they have chosen a lower price?
Re:if two businessmen come with the same idea (Score:3, Informative)
Re:if two businessmen come with the same idea (Score:2)
Or maybe the packing will be different ?
Re:if two businessmen come with the same idea (Score:2)
Re:if two businessmen come with the same idea (Score:2)
Re:if two businessmen come with the same idea (Score:2, Insightful)
I think it may have more to do with the "last-minute checkout suggestive sell factor", a factor which I just coined, so get down with it.
You know how when you're at a grocery store/Wal-mart/etc. they have everything from socks to cokes to everything you came there for in the first place in the checkout line? The idea is to get people away from thinking that HP is a company run solely by people who carry slide rules in their pocket-protected-poc
Re:if two businessmen come with the same idea (Score:3, Informative)
Why didn't they go with the HP blue (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:Why didn't they go with the HP blue (Score:5, Funny)
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.
What's the point? (Score:4, Interesting)
--
Play the Gmail Invitation Giveaway contest. 4 invites availiable. [retailretreat.com]
Re:What's the point? (Score:5, Insightful)
Re:What's the point? (Score:4, Insightful)
However, I have trouble thinking people who are going for a 500 dollar computer are going to "throw in" a 300 dollar MP3 player on the side (for whatever reason--financial or otherwise)
Re:What's the point? (Score:3, Funny)
My guess is that HP is thinking that people will "throw in an HP PC" when making an HP iPod purchase.
Re:What's the point? (Score:3, Insightful)
Exactly, plus, the whole "same price as Apple" can be fudged when the hPod is "bundled" with a computer. HP can take a loss on the computer if they are making highl margins on the hPod and the CONSUMER WINS!
Oh and about your tag line:
Boycott Walmart - Recycle - Vote Bush out of office in 04
Three checks for me!
Re:What's the point? (Score:5, Insightful)
These are the people HP is hoping will buy *their* iPod.
Invent? (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Invent? (Score:4, Insightful)
Re:Invent? (Score:4, Informative)
Their corporate / IT stuff should be a lot better, although it depends on the model.
I think the grandparent post was a joke though.
Bad bad bad... (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Bad bad bad... (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Bad bad bad... (Score:2)
Re:Bad bad bad... (Score:2, Informative)
Re:Bad bad bad... (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Bad bad bad... (Score:2)
Recognizable as an iPod? (Score:2, Interesting)
-- n
Re:Recognizable as an iPod? (Score:2)
As far as I know, the only difference is the addition of an HP logo next to the Apple logo on the back. And HP already ships iTunes pre-installed on new PCs.
Bundling possibilities? (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Bundling possibilities? (Score:2)
Re:Bundling possibilities? (Score:2)
A little late in the game, wouldn't you say?
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.
Re:First Apple "clone" license? (Score:3, Informative)
No. [lowendmac.com]
Comment removed (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:First Apple "clone" license? (Score:2)
Completely offtopic, but why.. (Score:2, Insightful)
URL (Score:3, Insightful)
In case you're wondering why... (Score:4, Insightful)
Before, HP didn't have anything like the iPos. Now it can flesh out its home electronics lineup a little bit. You know, sell it in a package with its own computers and tailor the advertising so people don't get too confused about mixing Apple hardware with PC hardware.
They did the same sort of rebranding with CD burners, if I recall correctly.
Support (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Support (Score:2)
Re:Support (Score:5, Funny)
Support: What seems to be the problem?
Customer: It's making horrible wailing noises that hurt my ears!
Support: What you need to do is to open your iPod under iTunes, go into "Artists" and delete everything by Tori Amos or Celine Dion.
Customer: That worked! Thanks!
Re:Support (Score:2)
Apple recently changed their iPod phone support from 90 days to one free incident, so this is indeed a legitimate reason to choose HP.
Note that one free incident may be better than 90 days free support, if the incident occurs after 90 days. (I'm assuming it's one free incident within the first year, not during the first 90 days; I could be mistaken). Also note that one incident doesn't mean one phone call.
Confusing to the End User (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Confusing to the End User (Score:5, Insightful)
You don't see the point? Then let me show you...
HP is the second largest PC supplier in the US. [66.102.11.104]Apple, is not. I can gaurantee you Apple will ship more ipods in the next 6 months with HPs platform to sell from than they have for the last year. HP has a market reach that is far in excess of Apples, and is an entirely different demograph. Apples target market of young fashion nerds with fat wallets already know about or have ipods, but HP can sell ipods to people that wouldn't be normally reading
With this and Microsofts entrance into music sales, it'll be an interesting few months running up to Christmas.
Re:Confusing to the End User (Score:2)
I mean, it's been on the cover of Time. How many Dell or HP products have done that?
As far as "Joe Six Pack" is concerned, the iPod IS the MP3 player to own. How is HP's "platform" going to help them sell more?
Particularly since the price is the same?
no real modification ? (Score:2)
On a more serious note (to gove moderators a headsplitting choice between funny & insightfull), i though there were no modifications at all : it even has the Apple logo instead of an HP one... A true homerun for apple
Re:no real modification ? (Score:2)
It has an HP logo next to the Apple logo.
Dell (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Dell (Score:2)
Retail Channels (Score:3, Informative)
HP Printable Tattoos for iPod (Score:5, Informative)
http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press
http://www.hp.com/hpinfo/newsroom/press_
http://h10049.www1.
This could be good. (Score:2)
There is one big differnce with the HP iPod (Score:2, Informative)
Re:There is one big differnce with the HP iPod (Score:2)
I wonder if anyone will print an iPod skin that looks like the default WinAmp skin....
Re:There is one big differnce with the HP iPod (Score:2)
As far as HP is concerned, this allows them to sell a bundled solution. Music copying has become a major part of peoples computer using experience now. It also allows them to push their new printer, since it is spec
radioshack (Score:3, Informative)
Dont beat up on HP..Its good for us.. (Score:5, Insightful)
But think of it, HP will use resellers such as Staples, Officemax, Office Depot and other outlets which gives us a reason to use those 30$ off of 150$ coupons and other 10/20% Off coupons to buy these expensive players. For people who may balk at the 300$ price, cutting it down to 250$ sometimes is all the reason for them to spend the moolah. So repeat after me, its good for the consumers. who gives a flying fuck about whether HP had innovated or not?
Only compatible with Windows? (Score:2, Insightful)
smart move (Score:3, Insightful)
HP branding makes it a more comfortable purchase, and Apple need not print "Works with Microsoft XP(tm)!" all over their boxes.
"Gee, that HP printer said 'XP Compatible' on the box, and it sorta works, so this should, too!"
What HP just told us... (Score:2, Insightful)
HP just proved it doesn't understand basic branding: OK, so that's a pretty big smackdown to throw at a multi-billion-dollar tech giant. But consider: People buy the iPod because it's cool, it's functional and (stay with me here) because it's an iPod. If you're going to compete, you need to be different/better/unique, you need to have a dramatically lower price point, you need to have a better channel or y
Re:What HP just told us... (Score:2, Insightful)
HP will also preinstall Apple's ITunes jukebox software on its consumer PCs and notebook systems. The company will add a desktop icon pointing customers to the ITunes online music store, HP says in a statement released Thursday." [pcworld.com]
This is obviously good for both companies. It makes it much easier for Joe Consumer to access the iTMS when he buys a PC bundled with an iPod. He's not familiar with Apple so he didn't even consider an iMac or a G5, but he HAS heard of the iPod and sees he can
Not Just A Clone.... (Score:3, Insightful)
There are differences between HP and Apple iPod (Score:2, Interesting)
It's a clone alright... (Score:2)
Are you talking about the iPod or uberHacker.com?
Apple is dead... HP is selling the iPod (Score:5, Funny)
Oh crap, I didn't rtfa. Oops.
Meantime... (Score:2)
I don't think so (Score:3, Informative)
It's not a clone of the current design; it is the current design. The exact same thing. It's just in a differently labeled box.
orange
Three Words: Approved Vendor List (Score:5, Funny)
Geek wants company he works for to pay for it.
Geek submits request for "40 GB external Apple FireWire HD"
Accounting rejects request. "Apple not on approved vendor list."
Geek submits new request for "40 GB external HP FireWire HD.
Purchase request approved.
Result: Apple sells another 100,000 iPods they wouldn't have been able to Geeks gaming the system in PC-centric corporate environments.
Re:Please, explain... (Score:5, Insightful)
because believe it or not not everybody has heard of the iPod
This will open the iPod to new markets
Re:Please, explain... (Score:3, Insightful)
Re:Please, explain... (Score:2)
This isn't an iPod copy, this is an iPod. It just happens to be sold by HP, and they added an HP logo to the bac
Brings up an interesting question (Score:2, Interesting)
What constitutes price fixing?
Re:Please, explain... (Score:2, Insightful)
The iPod is cheap enough (for me to buy) robust enough (to put up with my abuse) light enough for me to carry with me all the time.
And to top it all off, the design is absolutely brilliant. I'm not talking about the way it looks...I'm talking about the way it WORKS. I've messed with a bunch of other players, but the iPod is peerless.
How "cool" it is is totally irrelevant to h
Re:Please, explain... (Score:2)
Cheaper = better; lighter = better; more robust = bretter. Different person, different "better". For me it was capacity/price. Also useful features, like playback speed, and two more hours of batterey life. I got my 60GB Creative Zen for $20 less than any iPod (new, non mini) costs here. I'm also not an Apple fan so if I really wanted an iPod I wouldn't have a problem getting
But... (Score:2)
What if you are in love with the interface?
What if you like that the iPod is both a USB mass storage device and a Firewire mass storage device you can install an OS and boot off of?
Didn't you know that the iPod can play any MP3 you put on it?
What if you want a smaller mp3 player?
Of course if you care about none of those things, then the iPod isn't for you. But if you want:
Smaller
Firewire/USB storage
iTunes
Simple interface
What choice do you have but an iPod?
Re:Listen up people; there are alternatives!! (Score:2)
and it will play any MP3 you put on there
iPods play mp3s
Certainly there are alternatives to the iPod that will play more formats and give you more storage; however, there are none with nearly as effective an interface. The iPod makes a 3000 song collection manageable on a handheld device. The Archos and iRiver certainly don't accomplish this.
BTW, I'll trade a gmail invite for a freeipods referral.
Re:Listen up people; there are alternatives!! (Score:2)
Re:Blow it out your ass, you smug fuck!! (Score:3, Insightful)
I am a Mac user. I recently bought av iRiver. Why not an iPod? Because I weighed them against each other and decided the iRiver was the better choice because of the following.
- The iRiver supports Ogg Vorbis.
- The iRiver has better battery life.
- The iRiver _can_ play directly from the file system.
You're telling me in your post that these are "generally useless" features. To me they are not. That's why I didn't buy an iPod.
"No its not