HP and Apple join forces on tempting music strategy


19 Jul 2004

As Apple unveiled the fourth generation of its iPod portable music player today, it emerged that HP has decided to integrate the iPod into its own digital media strategy. HP CEO Carly Fiorina said that the company would be unveiling its own HP-branded iPod in September.

The new iPod features up to 12 hours battery life and Shuffle Songs, a new command in the main menu which gives users instant access to their music library. The new iPod will be available immediately, with a 20Gb model for €339 (incl. Vat) and a 40Gb model for €449 (incl. Vat).

“The best digital music player just got better,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “The fourth generation iPod features Apple’s amazing Click Wheel for superb one handed control, 12 hour battery life and the new Shuffle Songs command in the main menu – all in an even smaller design that puts up to 10,000 songs in your pocket.”

Last week Jobs revealed that Apple shipped more than 860,000 iPods during the second quarter, representing a 183pc increase in iPods over the same quarter last year.

“HP has chosen iPod and iTunes as the best products to integrate into our digital entertainment strategy,” said Carly Fiorina, chairman and chief executive officer at HP. “We decided to wait for this amazing new fourth generation iPod, as it will offer our customers an even better experience. HP’s version of the new iPod will be available in September.”

By John Kennedy