HP iPod To Appear September 5?

[valve83]

I have seen many posts regarding concern over Microsoft's alleged entrance into the digital music market; I would not worry about this at all. You'll have to forgive me if my thoughts wander off topic a bit. I believe that we are seeing the beginning of the end of Microsoft.

I really, totally, and wholeheartedly agree with you on this. I think they are looking very bad, and some of their disorganization and inconsistency is starting to come out now more than ever. It used to be only the very "in the know" who knew how much of a blunder of a technological company Microsoft really is (and has been for that matter). But now it's starting to trickle down to the less-informed, and there's definitely some bad publicity for Microsoft going on.

In short, I just plain don't like them, and I think that their lack of vision, organization, innovation and design will be the death of them in the end. Even if people still use their products, even if they retain a majority market share, they are dead to ME, and that's what really matters. I know their dirt, and I will not respect their products unless the company changes hands and directions drastically. The way they're headed right now is the way of the garbage disposal.

 

[Stewie]

I wonder if that's simply the WMA to AAC conversion that iTunes already does... seems sorta bad advertising if it is... it just seems odd that the HP iPod would have WMA in it.

When you follow the link it talks about iTunes playing the WMA, nothing is mentioned about the iPod. This is just the same WMA conversion that iTunes for windows currently does.

 

[xy14]

cool...

Back in January, I didn't think that this was a good move for Apple. But this morning I was on walmart.com looking around and I found something rather interesting. There was a link titled "Apple iPod from HP". Now Apple's iPod is being sold at Wal-Mart thanks to HP!! Way to go!

 

[space2go]

And she keeps going on about this "journey", what's with that?

Guess she knows that once some mac fans get ahold of her she'll be going on a magical mystery tour..

 

[JoePike]

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/story?id=6450450&rnd=1093452167341&has-player=unknown

Microsoft to debut music store on September 2nd. If they do actually score the Beatles in an exclusive contract...could be bad.

Oh, Beatles shmeatles. People go to the iTMS to buy new popular music, not overplayed hits from the sixties. Think about the average age of an iPod owner, or any other digital music player owner for that matter. What kind of music are they listening to? Who are their favorite artists? Granted the Beatles have a lot of classic songs that people still enjoy, but they're just not top-of-mind for the downloading generation.

-Joe

 

[debo]

Anybody notice that on hp's website it says that the 20 gig includes the dock?
hPod link

 

[gekko513]

The HP Tattoos look really cool on their website.

 

[iMeowbot]

Anybody notice that on hp's website it says that the 20 gig includes the dock?
hPod link

I think it's the same mistake Apple made. Notice on the picture captions at the top that they are labeled "20 GB" and "40 GB (w/ dock)"

 

[xy14]

Anybody notice that on hp's website it says that the 20 gig includes the dock?
hPod link

No it doesn't. It says that it includes a dock connector, but where it says 20GB at the top, look to the right where it says 40GB (w/ dock).

 

[diamacibal]

But this morning I was on walmart.com looking around and I found something rather interesting. There was a link titled "Apple iPod from HP". Now Apple's iPod is being sold at Wal-Mart thanks to HP!! Way to go!

But if you notice, right after that the Wal-Mart site warns the (h)iPod is not compatible with WM music downloads (I thought those were WMA files???):

"Important Note:
This player is not compatible with Wal-Mart Music Downloads."

What's up with that, then?

 

[Lancetx]

Back in January, I didn't think that this was a good move for Apple. But this morning I was on walmart.com looking around and I found something rather interesting. There was a link titled "Apple iPod from HP". Now Apple's iPod is being sold at Wal-Mart thanks to HP!! Way to go!

That is precisely why this is a GREAT day for Apple. They'll also be going into places like Radio Shack, Staples, Costco, etc, where they've had no presence before today as well. Plus HP is launching a huge promotional campaign starting this weekend too. All of it is to Apple's benefit and it puts their name out everywhere.

 

[Lancetx]

But if you notice, right after that the Wal-Mart site warns the (h)iPod is not compatible with WM music downloads (I thought those were WMA files???):

"Important Note:
This player is not compatible with Wal-Mart Music Downloads."

What's up with that, then?

The Apple iPod from HP just like the regular Apple iPod won't play protected WMA files, that's all that means.

 

[sunmade]

I love how it actually is called... APPLE iPod + HP....

wuahahahaha

I thought it was a bad move at first, but now it is getting sweeter and sweeter!!

 

[Mr_Ed]

I really, totally, and wholeheartedly agree with you on this. I think they are looking very bad, and some of their disorganization and inconsistency is starting to come out now more than ever. It used to be only the very "in the know" who knew how much of a blunder of a technological company Microsoft really is (and has been for that matter). But now it's starting to trickle down to the less-informed, and there's definitely some bad publicity for Microsoft going on.

In short, I just plain don't like them, and I think that their lack of vision, organization, innovation and design will be the death of them in the end. Even if people still use their products, even if they retain a majority market share, they are dead to ME, and that's what really matters. I know their dirt, and I will not respect their products unless the company changes hands and directions drastically. The way they're headed right now is the way of the garbage disposal.

What you say sounds more like "wishful thinking" where the effect of bad publicity is concerned. Like you , I have no respect for M$ and the garbage they have been peddling all these years, and I would like nothing better than for them to just go away. I would also agree that in general, more people are becoming aware of the negative aspects of M$.

That said, I think they can put a dent in the on-line music sales without much effort. All they have to do is release a new version of their Windows Media Player that hooks up to their store and BAM! In no time at all, every "not so aware" Windows user out there (you would agree there are just a few of those ) downloads it for free and they are off exploring whatever M$ wants to offer in the way of music.

Is the iTunes download free also? Sure. But someone looking to download iTunes is specifically looking to manage music and is at least aware enough of what they are getting to make a decision on the app. The Windows Media Player is already installed in most, if not all Windows machines out there. Most Windows Media Player users do not use that app for music so M$ can quickly tap into a vast number of users who might not even have considered buying on-line music yet, and "hook" them while they are still relatively new to the whole on-line music thing. Crappy situation? Yeah, but it is typical of the kind of advantage M$ has enjoyed for years due to the pervasiveness of its software/OS in the installed base.

 

[uv23]

I'm quite surprised that it's still white! I was expecting HP blue. Then again, the whole white thing is a big component of the iPod's chic cachet so good on HP for understanding that.

 

[spacedog]

interesting or just a typo?

One of the HP pages (http://h10049.www1.hp.com/music/us/en/additional_ipod_flash.html) has a very interesting bit of text discussing the various features of the iPod.

A new way to transfer.
You can use the FireWire or USB 2.0 cable that comes with iPod to connect the iPod to your computer and copy files. Word documents. Keynote presentations. Excel spreadsheets. Photoshop files. You name it.

Uhm...why would PC users care about transferring Keynote files? Any chance they're planning a Windows version? I couldn't find this text on Apple's website, although it's possible it was just accidentally pulled from some other materials.

 

[stevehaslip]

according to the 3X update on the main page the Hp iPods are just regular white iPods! all this hype over nothing! they're just the same as the regular iPods!

 

[agreenster]

WalMart selling the iPod? That's it. Apple will dominate the portable music player for years and years.

Wonder if my local Walmart has em now?

 

[micvog]

Anybody notice that on hp's website it says that the 20 gig includes the dock?
hPod link

I don't think HP put a lot of thought into the information on their website. Notice that here HP talks about the ability to sync your "Entourage" data with the Apple iPod from HP. Hmmm... I bet that is a really popular request from Windows users seing how Entourage does not exist on the PC.

 

[xy14]

WalMart selling the iPod? That's it. Apple will dominate the portable music player for years and years.

Wonder if my local Walmart has em now?

Wal-Mart says they won't be available until September 10th, and they might not get into most Wal-Mart stores anyways.

 

[sirjimithy]

I don't think HP put a lot of thought into the information on their website. Notice that here HP talks about the ability to sync your "Entourage" data with the Apple iPod from HP. Hmmm... I bet that is a really popular request from Windows users seing how Entourage does not exist on the PC.

Just another example of the lack of passion put into the industry by the Wintel giants.

 

[xy14]

I don't think HP put a lot of thought into the information on their website. Notice that here HP talks about the ability to sync your "Entourage" data with the Apple iPod from HP. Hmmm... I bet that is a really popular request from Windows users seing how Entourage does not exist on the PC.

Remember, HP's version of the iPod is compatible with the Mac, too.

 

[sirjimithy]

yeah, but it's just like when a lion escapes from the zoo in Africa.. nobody gives a @#$%.

 

[JDOG_]

Just another example of the lack of passion put into the industry by the Wintel giants.

Oh god, they probably just took the information straight from the Apple iPod site and put it up without double checking. Get off their backs man, HP is giving Apple a hand selling things...it starts with iPods and might develop into something bigger in the coming years.

 

[webmatthijs]

Where are the stickers on the website? I can't find 'em. I want something to chuckle at.

http://h10049.www1.hp.com/music/us/en/index_flash.jsp

here you go. you might have to click on the ipod tatoos though. you can chuckle as much as you want