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.

iPod Killer???? it's a Joke?

Nov 11, 2008 16:57     

"company has doubts whether it will be able to deliver a capable iPod challenge..." Why does Dell have "doubts"? they must be pretty sure... but pretty sure they can't do it. lol If the ZUNE didn't kill the iPod dominance (or Sandisk), they can be pretty sure that a dell product won't do it. The only "iPod Killer right now is going to be the iPhone.
Rafaelo report abuse vote down vote up Votes: -5

@Rafaelo

Nov 11, 2008 17:36     

Why don't you finish quoting the article. Here is what that sentence says. "Apparently, the company has doubts whether it will be able to deliver a capable iPod challenger in time for Christmas." If you read that it says Dell has doubts it can get out a challenger to the iPod BY CHRISTMAS. It doesn't never. You need to finish reading before posting.
afstech report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +5

sandisk is the ipod killer!

Nov 11, 2008 20:25     

It already happened with the Sansa View vs. Ipod Nono.
hal report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

The approach is wrong

Nov 11, 2008 23:37     

Dell is a hardware company. How cool would it be if they just made a real nice player and "Forgot" the stupid services. What if they just load a simple Open Source OS on it and let the people do what they want with it. The Linux boys and girls know music and would soon come up with some killer software that can play amything you drag and drop on it.....or suck down from a hot spot.
Moonshot report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0

Dell was contacted for a response

Nov 12, 2008 16:59     

But we couldn't understand what they were saying over their thick Indian accent.
Anonymous report abuse vote down vote up Votes: +0