Chicago (IL) – Media reports that Dell has scrapped its idea for an iPod killer, at least for now. Apparently, the company has doubts whether it will be able to deliver a capable iPod challenger in time for Christmas. It is unclear whether the product has been shelved permanently.
We still remember Dell’s plans to remember to the music player market earlier this year: It seemed that Dellw as preparing a new product that was designed to succeed to the ill-fated Digital Jukebox (Dell DJ) that was scrapped in 2006. Back then, the Wall Street Journal said the sub-$100 music player would hit stores in September, just in time for the Christmas shopping season. It was described to feature built-in Wi-Fi that connects to a Dell music subscription service and even Michael Dell himself ended up promoting the device, saying a new Dell music player would "generate lust" and serve as the backbone of Dell's turnaround efforts.
However, the same paper now cites a "a person familiar with the matter" that the plans to launch an iPod killer have been put on hold indefinitely. Instead, the company now plans on adding new features to its Zing application, which provides media management features similar to Apple's iTunes.
Rumors of Dell's possible re-entry into the MP3 player space surfaced when the company acquired mobile entertainment company Zing Systems in August 2007. Industry watchers predicted that the Zing software would serve as a link between a Dell-branded online music service and MP3 player.
We still remember Dell’s plans to remember to the music player market earlier this year: It seemed that Dellw as preparing a new product that was designed to succeed to the ill-fated Digital Jukebox (Dell DJ) that was scrapped in 2006. Back then, the Wall Street Journal said the sub-$100 music player would hit stores in September, just in time for the Christmas shopping season. It was described to feature built-in Wi-Fi that connects to a Dell music subscription service and even Michael Dell himself ended up promoting the device, saying a new Dell music player would "generate lust" and serve as the backbone of Dell's turnaround efforts.
However, the same paper now cites a "a person familiar with the matter" that the plans to launch an iPod killer have been put on hold indefinitely. Instead, the company now plans on adding new features to its Zing application, which provides media management features similar to Apple's iTunes.
Rumors of Dell's possible re-entry into the MP3 player space surfaced when the company acquired mobile entertainment company Zing Systems in August 2007. Industry watchers predicted that the Zing software would serve as a link between a Dell-branded online music service and MP3 player.