HP to Sell Branded iPod Mini

By Nate Mook | Published June 2, 2005, 1:52 PM

Hewlett-Packard is bulking up its line of HP-branded versions of Apple's iPod, announcing Thursday it has begun to sell the iPod Mini. HP's Mini will be nearly identical to its original Apple counterpart, with an added logo and option for "Printable Tattoos," or stickers that allow users to personalize their player.

HP's agreement also gives the iPod added exposure at more retail stores, including Radio Shack, Sears and Wal-Mart. Last month, HP announced it had struck a deal with Apple to sell the iPod Photo, which sports a color screen and ability to display digital images. HP, however, has seen flat sales while the original iPod has catapulted into icon status.

Comments

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Come on HP get your act together drop the iPod and make your own product. I will not recommend any HP computers as long as it has iTunes on it.

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I can see the Apple logic in selling the products through HP. At the moment the ability to sell Apple products is so restricted that either you need to be an Apple shop or a huge retailer (context of our market) so by providing a rebranded iPOD through HP will increase their market touch considerably without compromising their existing reseller agreements.

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HP: Invent, or Copy and Market.

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Haha!

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It's still an Apple and look at the class action lawsuit on the I-pod batteries, also look how I-pod owens got screwed. I have to laugh again.

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Maybe because everything HP touches it turns to crap??? Nobody likes their computers except for the low-end user that doesn't know the difference between a CPU and their computer. Hmm...iPod sales keep climbinb, while HP-branded iPods flatline...duh... give it up HP, you're dying off.

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Maybe because you buy all the cheap HP crap. Low end computers from anyone is crap. Whats it matter if HP brings out a branded Ipod. Dell has been doing it for years with their printers. And i am pretty sure Hp making $90 bil a year is not dying off.

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Another "Dude" Junkey! Probably a Microsoft Hater too. Name the brand you like... Alien, Sony, e-machines?

I don't believe the ipod is a good direction for HP. The company is built on invention and not duplication. An iPaq branded a/v device running windows ce 5.0 that does both audio and video would be beautiful.

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XXXXXXD

i was wondering if therez anyone ever bought a hp-ipod ever execpt their boss?

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I bought the 20GB one.

It's virtually identical (read: fantastic). HP is not going anywhere.

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dont get confused with AOL, HP is a kick a** company... for some stuff anyway

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Apple screwed up by not adopting the MP3 format ant just recently did an about face. It is not suprising that they are opening the IPod line of products to HP for some very obvious reasons. You should look at the new look of HP and what consumer reports is saying about them. Having the top rated Laptop earlier this year.

Most people buy on credit and selling the IPod with a system is a no-brainer. Dell has been doing this for years and that is why they are on top of the market. With the newer technology incorporated into the PC's nowadays, HP does a good job. (Their printers are great!)
Everyone(manufacturer) has a low end PC that sucs, HP has gotten a lot better in the past few years. Not sure if it was the recent change in their chain-of-command or just that technology has gotten better.

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This market is a tough and saturated one right now and IMO . . think they are taking the right road in first staying with what works and begin to see where the market continues to go and how to make it better.

They then begin to use the IVENT of their name sake. Dell is selling a similar product, but it is the name that will sell the product in today's market. Use the IPod(Apple) to establish yourself($$) and then introduce small changes along the way before going for the new product.

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What buy an HP iPod or any iPod for that matter. A 40G iPod goes for about $399. Creative, iRiver, etc on sale 40G you can get it for $199. At least you get choice when you don't buy an iPod.

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