Dell plans iPod-like device, 'Dell Music Store'

By Peter Cohen pcohen@maccentral.com
September 25, 2003 11:45 am ET

As part of a far-reaching effort to add a line of consumer electronics to its arsenal, PC maker Dell Inc. announced Thursday plans to introduce its own variations on Apple's iPod and iTunes Music Store for this upcoming holiday season.

Although details are still scant, the company indicates that it will produce the Dell Digital Jukebox, or DJ -- a "digital music player featuring a sleek design, with large storage capacity, excellent battery life and easy to use controls."

In September Apple introduced new 20GB and 40GB iPods. The iPod, priced from US$299 to $499, connects to either Macs or PCs using a dock connector and FireWire or USB 2.0 interfaces. The iPod is already in its third generation -- the device features a "no moving parts" navigation wheel and backlit button, and it doubles as a bootable storage device.


What's more, the Round Rock, Texas-based maker of custom PCs said it will offer commercially available music downloads through the "Dell Music Store." The store will feature "thousands of music selections" and allow downloading to the Dell DJ itself. The Dell Music Store will also analyze customers' song play history and will make recommendations about specific artists and songs that customers can purchase using the service.

Apple's iTunes Music Store debuted this past April. The service features more than 200,000 songs published by commercial artists represented by all five of the major music publishing companies. Apple notes that the iTunes Music Store has sold more than 10 million songs to date. Available only for the Mac up until now, iTunes will be released for Windows by the end of 2003, according to Apple.

Dell also introduced its own 17-inch wide-format LCD TV; the "Dell Media Experience" application, media center control software that will be added to its Dimension desktop line; the Axim X3 handheld and a digital projector.

Dell said the new products will roll out in October to coincide with a redesigned Web site. Pricing and additional details of the new devices and services are expected to be announced when they become available.

IceNine said:

Do you own a Dell?

Here is a picture of the offending device:

well...ok...not to be contrary...but did anyone think that the i-pod was going the be the only device of its type... ever

it was bound to happen sooner or later.

Paisley said:

I am not even .00025% sure what this has to do with anything, but the answer is "no."

IceNine said:

clearly.

violett said:

It is more the combination of them now saying that they are going to produce an iPod-like device AND open an integrated music store... once again, following Apple's lead.

Apple = Innovation
Everyone else = Imitation

IceNine said:

i know sweets

violett said:

By the way...

Violett =

I use a Mac at work...



AND I FUCKING HATE IT

CarrieLee said:

That's good to know... :LOL:

Well, I only use a Dell because I have to.

Apple Rules!

i wish i knew how to use a mac. i didnt have any computer experience at all untill about 3 years ago...and i learned everything on a PC...sooo i havent had the pleasure of working on a mac...so i have nooo idea how they work or anything...ive only heard good things about them though.

sag10 said:

I had an Apple when I worked at the newspaper and the Communications Dept of the University (where I earned my degree) uses them and I never had any problems...Now that I work for a different department in the University that uses DELLs...I have problems all the time...I have to reboot several times a day...
DELL SUCKS!

violett said:

You would learn quickly...they're actually much easier to use than PCs, but not THAT much different.

violett said:

apple is the pooter that introduced me to computers, period...i haven't used macintosh--err, macintrash--in a while, tho'. s'pretty easy to use, basically. you ain't missin much...save for a pretty high-maintenance, expensive-as-hell operatin system. it's good for things like graphics and stuff, but for the most part it's pretty bleh.

Handclapsfingasnapz said:

Not that it matters, but...

Windows sucks a dead rhino's balls

...that is all.

:LOL:

Okay you know what? I absolutely love my ibook. But I hate apple for losing my ipod in the mail. So I am now ipodless indefinitely. Thanks a whole fucking lot, apple.

What is it with PC makers wanting to get into consumer electronics? First Gateway, and now Dell. I guess Sony was the other way round.

But like I'm really gonna buy a Gateway digital camera. Uh, Gateway doesn't exactly scream quality...that'd be like buying an "Emerson" stereo or some shit.



Apple gets points for trotting into areas one at a time, and doing them artfully. How many fucking sites tried to sell music downloads before iTunes got it right on the first try?

:LOL:

Natsume said:

dude...

I don't get what is so innovative about an IPod. Its a portable hard drive. There have been portable mp3 players around for years now, though the ipod was a leap in storage size. Its just doesn't strike me as revolutionary.

http://www.mac-sucks.com/

Tom said:

It is not about storage, it is about the OS and how easy the iPod works with iTunes. The combination of iTunes and the iPod is, indeed, revolutionary.