The Dell Digital Jukebox (DJ) is an MP3 player that will try to challenge Apple’s market leading iPod. The Dell Music Store is the other half of Dell’s new music thrust, designed to compete with Apple Computer’s forthcoming iTunes for Windows music downloading service. The Dell Music Store reportedly doesn’t work with Macs, it’ll be Windows-only, but it will work with PCs and music players other than Dell’s. The Dell DJ and Dell Music Store are expected to debut in late October.
Dell is providing few details about either offering according to USA Today. “The music store ‘will cover most major labels and artists,’ says chief marketing officer Mike George. It will work with Microsoft’s Windows
oh yes, watch out Apple.
yet another in the long list of those who will supposedly challenge the champ.
Funny who the other services blast Apple for being exclusive…when they KNOW Apple is going to release a PC version soon. Then they release something that is EXCLUSIVE to Windows users and don’t think that’s odd at all.
Well that proves it, Dell are the most influential IT company after all
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Don’t worry – I’ve got a few tricks up my sleeve this time!
At what point does this come as a surprise…Whenever Apple makes something that works (or makes something that has been ignored mainstream), Dell copies it almost to the letter. Not saying it won’t work or might not be good, just getting bored with the follow the Apple leadership. Just hope Apple can get its version to Windows before all the great work is overshadowed by the shear volume that Dell can push. they won’t make the same mistakes that buymusic did, they have been watching the results too long. Cmon Apple!!! Get your ass in gear or they are going to steal your deserved thunder!
Be Well
Turtle
Yes, Apple should watch out. Big time. This isn’t some little company like Creative or some loser like Buymusic.com. Dell can be the bull in the china shop here. Jobs better get his ass is gear on international and iTMS for Windows ASAP!
Ah yes, Michael Dell is out “innovating” again. Oops, too bad Steve Jobs beat him to the punch again with iTMS by almost 6 months and the iPod by almost 2 years. Here’s hoping for their sake at least that their “DJ” is a bit more reliable than their bug ridden Axim handhelds have been.
The question is, will the world at large again forget or ignore which company led the way
Does it matter anything to the customer which company did something first?
Hopefully they put door flaps on the thing! Keep innovating Dell.
Hope this yields lower priced iPods with AM/FM tuners onboard! Sometimes I’d like to be able to listen to Howard of The Fan during the commute via my iPod!
Apple has long proven that being the best and selling the most do not neccisarily go hand in hand.
They have momentum and quality on their side, but Dell has a good name among the masses (I can’t explain why). They do a great job at marketing.
Apple has the advantage, but in the mid 80’s you would have said the same about the Mac. Let’s hope they have learned how to leverage an advantage before they lose it.
I suspect the DJ will sell for $199.00 As far as the music store, so what? iTMS for Windows is coming to the U.S. next month by all acounts. International will take time. Have you noticed that neither BuyMusic.com or Dell, or Microsoft have mentioned that arena? The reason is the difficulty in arranging licenses and download services. Each EEU country has a different set of label affiliations, taxes on recorded product, etc. Anyway, SJ was quoted last week as saying iTMS is not a big money-making deal for Apple. It’s benefit so far has been in selling iPods. By the way, the DJ is probably much larger then an iPod as Dell’s PDAs are larger then the competition.
Should be “Howard or The Fan” above.
As ugly as that thing is… Dell will not hold a candle to the iPod with its knockoff!
I welcome the challenge. Apple will release iTunes to the Windoze market WAY before Dell delivers on its pipe dream!
I must disagree with most of you (what else is new). Steve has said over and over that Apple’s focus is not on quantity, but quality. They make Porches not Fords.
If Apple can’t produce a better product they won’t do it at all, and they sure are NOT going to rush into something half-assed just to be first. They have a reputation of producing high quality and innovative products and services, and they will not sacrifice it in a lame race with Dell.
I see no reason not to expect Dell’s offerings to be like all previous Wintel fiascos and be difficult to use, have a confusing array of licensing agreements, unreliable, and poor customer service.
Even if iTMS for Windows comes in 2nd in the footrace, there is no doubt that people will see Apple’s version and think “Cool! Why didn’t Dell think of that?”
Dell will probably be number one in the portable hard drive player market by spring ’04 at the latest. Sorry, Apple, just like every other company, you won’t be able to compete on price.
Balderdash, Ralph.
Dell will not hold a candle to the iPod with its own knockoff!
I welcome the challenge. Apple will release iTunes/iTMS to the Windoze market WAY before Dell delivers on its pipe dream!
the only problem is the Dell DJ is ugly …
.. wait
windows is ugly as well
…
steve should hurry
I have been cursed by the MDN cache monster 🙁
D’OH!!!
” The question is, will the world at large again forget or ignore which company led the way and, instead, snap up the cheaper, and most likely, lower quality option in droves? |”
Of course they will. Do most car buyers buy BMWs? No, they buy Ford. Get real MDN. Apple is great and consistently knocks out 1st class products. But it is not a mass market player. iPod pricing confirms that,
We are taming the “Cache Monster.” Just a little more tweaking to go…
I’ll say it again, Dell is the Wal-Mart of the computing world. They’ll bring these items now to the masses that so far only those that appreciate quality have had up until now. Dell’s focus is on price alone and not quality, we all know that. This DJ and their music store will be popular with the Ford Escort driving crowd out there, just like the iPod and iTMS are (and will continue to be) with those who demand better from both their cars and their music players (as well as everything else).
DudeMac, what are you talking about????
The Palm crack was totally uncalled for. What’s a better alternative? Pocket PC? Yeesh, and please don’t bring up the Newton.
As others have said, Apple makes Porsches, those who know will buy the iPod. Nothing holds the cachet of owning an iPod yet. All my friends drool over the great design and simplicity. The Dell looks like a $20 handheld videogame.