HP adds iPod Minis to lineup

Hewlett-Packard on Thursday announced the addition of Apple Computer's iPod Mini to its line of digital music players.

The company said it will offer two models of the iPod Mini--a 4GB version designed to store up to 1,000 songs and a 6GB version that will hold 1,500 songs. Both players feature a touch-sensitive click wheel, battery life of up to 18 hours and USB charging. The 6GB version, which is available now, lists for $249.99. The 4GB will be available later this week and will cost $199, HP said.

HP also announced a set of printable "tattoos" for iPod minis. The tattoos, designed to let users personalize their devices with artwork and photos, can be applied and removed from the exterior of the iPod mini. The retail price for the tattoos for an iPod Mini is $9.99, HP said. The iPod Mini and printable tattoos will begin shipping online in North America starting June 5.

HP added the iPod to its music offerings in a move to get a foothold in the consumer electronics market. The company has been periodically updating its iPod offerings. All HP computers come pre-installed with iTunes software for downloading and managing digital music.

[Christopher Hall]

Does anyone actually buy these?

Why not just get the Apple model? What's the point of having an HP iPod and an Apple iPod if they're identical?

The answere:

Expanded market share. If you have Apple loaylists, and PC loyalists, both now have more exposure to this product than before when it was an Apple only product.

[Llib Setag]

HP POD v. APPLEPOD

Apple iPods are PREFORMATED to work with Apple OSX & Mac version of iTunes.

HP iPods are PREFORMATTED for Windows OS & Windows version of iTunes.

IF you connect an Apple iPod to a PC, a dialog box pops up promting you that the HD needs to be reformated to connect to the PC & PCiTunes. All the data is erased during reformatting.

Not a problem when it is new, just say YES & the iPod will now work with Windows.

HP iPod has already done that process for you...

[sanenazok]

Those that want money do

A friend of mine was buying an HP laptop a little back and got a rebate for buying an HP iPod. I think it was in November 04. Plus I like the tatoos.

Also, this way if you're a computer user you'll have the same place to complain as for your computer, and if it doesn't work, your music player maker can't just blame your PC, since they're one and the same.

[bigjim01]

Apple iPod iSucks

I have seen them with several people at work and they let me listen to them, and I could say that music on my iPAQ sounded much better. I think that HP would have been better of selling the Creative players over the Apple players. I think that I would trust a vender like Creative (who's core competency is sound) versus Apple (who's core competency is charging higher prices for the same or less functionality).

Laughable

I, like many audio files enjoy this piece of technology. The Creative line up of players are unituitive, clunky, and don't support as many file formats (and who lsitens to music in WMA anyway?)