HP today began selling two models of music players, the “Apple iPod from HP 20GB” and the “Apple iPod from HP 40GB,” for US$299 and $399, respectively. The white models, identical to Apple’s 4G iPod models in every way except for the etched HP logo on the back metal casing, are available for purchase now from HPshopping.com. Each model’s product page sports a link to download iTunes and also a link to HP Customer Care’s iTunes support webpage which features sections such as, “How to use iTunes, Tutorials, Top Support Articles, and iTunes Customer Service.”
HP and Apple first announced plans to sell a version of the iPod last January and originally planned to begin selling the music player this summer – which technically, they still did. Shortly after Apple introduced their new 4G iPod, HP stated their intention had been to wait for the latest 4G iPod models before they began selling their models.
Related MacDailyNews article:
The height of irony: Microsoft executive whines Apple-HP music deal ‘unfair’ – January 14, 2004
sexy…
Weren’t the hPods suppose to be in an HP colored blue rather than white. What happened to that?
HP wised up, and realized that they shouldn’t mess with a good thing.
Ya, where’s the blue?
Since the white buds identify one as having iPod status, HP must have chickened out on the color so it’s a big YAWN.
i really can’t see how the hell hp is gonna sell these. they are basically identical to the ipod.
So an iPod from Apple can work with both Macs and Windows, but an iPod from H-P only works with Windows?
HP is the second largest computer seller/distributor, with an extensive marketing presence in computer stores throughout the US. Of course they’ll sell iPods, if only because it will be convenient to many consumers to buy from HP. That’s good for Apple.
Go Apple!
If the hPods would work with the mac the people who would buy these things switch to the mac. Don’t think hp wants that
HP will sell lots of these, especially because they are white. For the folks that won’t order anything from Apple can now somehow justify the purchase because it is from a PC maker. I’ll be curious to see if the packaging is the same box with HP on it or if they have totally changed the packaging.
I can certainly see them doing an digital lifestyle package with a crappy/cheap PC, an iPod, printer and camera – all in one box.
Retailers that alread carry/stock HP products that don’t want to become Apple Authorized Retailers just to sell the iPod now have a way to sell the iPod.
I’m guessing they (HP/Apple) couldn’t get all the accessory makers to create HP blue accessories. Who is going to put a white iTrip on a blue iPod?
I’m not slagging Apple in any way, but look at the support HP offers with the iPod:
“One-year limited hardware warranty with 24×7 toll-free technical support. 90-day limited warranty on accessories included inbox with product at time of purchase. iTunes software support provided by Apple”
This is much better than Apple’s 90 day telephone support (if you don’t purchase AppleCare for iPod).
If I were in the market for an iPod, the support differences would certainly give me pause…
Although HP claims their “iPod + HP” only works with Windows, the included software features:
“iTunes for Windows, iTunes for Mac”
Why would iTunes for Mac be included if not supported by the iPod?
ENDERLE ALERT-ORANGE
HP’s version of Apple’s wildly popular iPod digital music player has unofficially been dubbed the hPod, analysts said.
“The expectation on the iPod is that HP’s version will probably outsell Apple’s version relatively quickly,” analyst Rob Enderle of market research firm Enderle Group said, due to HP’s broad distribution at electronics retailers
Sure about that… sell more than 4 million hPods.. ooookay…
Love to see that.. but I’m sure Apple would be furious if HP outsold them (sarcasm)
If HP outsells Apple on iPods, Apple will be laughing all the way to the bank…
Mac User
When Carly Fiona showed a hastily put together 3rd Gen iPod it indeed was blue. However, cooler (smarter) heads prevailed at HP and they went with white.
If the hPod does outsell the iPod I dooubt Apple would give 2 shits, they will still be making MONEY!!! and that’s the bottom line for them. There are still controlling the whole widget.
I think Apple did a good thing. This will push iTunes on the PC platform and give people a flavor for the Mac. I just don’t understand why HP did it. I mean, where is the product differentiation? The first thing they tell you in Economics is that a product sell better than its competitor based on the consumers’ belief that there is a difference in buying one product over then other. Who cares if the “Apple iPod from HP” has better support? Support is an intangible product (kind of like Best Buy’s extended warranty). People want to see the little Apple apple on their iPod.
I’m starting to think that the “Windows Only” tag on the hPods is a wonderful strategic move. In the retail outlets that carry H-P products, it’ll be clear to even the least informed Windows users that the hPods will work with their PC’s. Great marketing. I hope they sell a zillion of ’em. Because as the Microsoft Music Store juggernaut starts to roll and Gates tries to keep all the PC users coralled to his revenue stream, this type of breakout help from H-P will be much appreciated.
Because next year when cell phones come out with 5gig harddrives, and can do everything an iPod can do today, HP will drop this brick and go with the company making that wonder-phone. Then HP won’t have to endure any stock-slumping news or shut down any plants or layoff any employees it hired to build this one-year-left gadget.
Hp, you amaze me sometimes!
This is brilliant for both HP and Apple. These PC-only weenies will gladly buy HP product – including the iPod.
With iTunes all the HP products and the hPod it will further legitimize to the masses that it is the way to go. This will ease their concerns about formats and other players.
This is kind of dumb – HP is just an outlet for Apple – it�s not an HPod.
It would have a bigger impact if it had more of an HP design to it – whatever that would be.
Now it is just an iPod.
So when I go to Frys or CompUSA and go to the Apple section I see an iPod, then I wander over to the HP section I see the same iPod…Why would Frys(or any other retailer) waste shelf space for placing the same item up twice?
Hopefully, HPod goes to retailers that Apple is not in….
no mini-hPod?
Why all the news outlets didn’t get that, the iPod+hp is white, but they are selling/giving magnificient artist themed “tatoos” for the front of the iPod, and you can even print your own!!
http://h10049.www1.hp.com/music/us/en/tattoos.html
I have to wonder how you can put a flat sticker on the round corners of the iPod without it getting all ripply.
This is a better deal for Apple than anyone predicted. The name for one is the “Apple iPod from HP” and the Apple logo is all over the box and the back of the unit. Secondly, HP didn’t bastardize the unit by making it an ugly blue color. People will buy these just as quickly as they would the “Apple” model since it won’t be like they’re getting the off-brand version now. Plus with HP’s massive distribution channels they’ll end up in places like Wal-Mart, etc, where they’ll get a lot more exposure than iPods ever have before. Bravo Apple, you just put a knife in M$ heart with this partnership.
It is called “iPod+HP”. There is no hPod. Also every standard iPod should be white. That makes it easily recognizeable. With nearly 20% of the PC market worldwide, HP will generate sales Apple could never do on its’ own. (There are still tens of millions of PC users that are unaware of the iPod.) Add to this the bundling of iTunes/iTMS/Quicktime on every HP consumer desktop and this will be a banner year for Apple in Pod and iTMS sales. Enderle got one thing right (unbelievable as it sounds) in that HP has the potential to sell more then Apple… assuming Apple’s manufacturer can keep up with demand.
It’s all about distribution and prejudice.
There are tens of millions of PC bigots out there who would never buy anything from Apple directly. So this move confuses their prejudices.
And distribution is simple: HP has around 100,000 distribution points globally for its products. Apple has around 30,000.
In emerging markets which cannot support a committed Apple operation, HP’s reach will ensure that iPod and iTunes at least maintain parity with competing (?) solutions.