“Dell is about to crank up the jukebox,” John G. Spooner reports for CNET News.com. “The PC maker is preparing to unveil a new consumer-electronics plan under which it will sell two new devices, including a portable music player, under its brand name for the holidays.”

“Outside of computers, Dell has put its name on only a limited number of product categories, such as printers, network switches, projectors and USB storage devices. But the company, which sells several consumer-electronics products via its software and peripherals business and online store, believes that offering more such devices can help it meet revenue goals,” Spooner reports.

“Round Rock, Texas-based Dell is expected to discuss its latest consumer-electronics plans during a press conference Thursday, which will also outline an upgrade of its online store and touch on new Axim handhelds. One of its first new consumer-electronics devices will be a hard drive-based portable MP3 player, sources familiar with Dell’s plans said. The player, which is expected to include a 15GB drive, will compete with others in the market, most notably Apple Computer’s iPod. Dell sells the iPod on its own site and is expected to continue its sale after the debut Dell’s own player,’ Spooner reports. “Dell is not likely to unveil many other details about the device–or of any new products it intends to offer–on the call. The company is more apt to provide those details when the products ship in a range of possible dates in October or early November.”

Full article here.