Hewlett Packard are continuing their move into Digital Media markets with the launch of a HP branded Apple iPod. The devices come in variety of wacky colours, and are being launched with 20 gig and 40 gig hard drives inside them. The devices offer USB and Firewire connectivity, and will be sold at a comparable (read : the same) price to Apple.
Much had been speculated since HP announced its partnership with Apple, earlier this year, as to what they might do with the devices. More specifically, whether they"d make any changes or additions to the gear. The answer? Absolutely not. HP have not added WMA support to the iPods, which might have added some value to the iPods. The only addition that appears to have been made is "Printable Tattoos", allowing users to download, print, and deploy logos onto their iPods (HP claims they are easy to remove, yet at the same time are able to offer serious protection to the iPod from bumps etc).
With 8 months development time, HP have added little to Apple"s product asides from an apparently poorly coded ActiveX plug-in for Windows Media Player. A very sorry story, making one wonder why people would buy the product from HP when they"d get exactly the same deal from Apple. The answer is unclear. However, HP"s corporate logo of "invent" really doesn"t do this make over job justice.