HP to Launch Music Service, Player In 2004

securitas writes "HPShopping.com CEO Peter Appl told Reuters that HP will launch its own branded online music service and a portable MP3 / digital music player in 2004. Appl (the CEO) said that the newcomers would compete with Apple (the company's) music products such as the iTunes music store and iPod music player, among others. HP expects its store to be a branded version of an existing service. Appl also said that the launch will take place at the 2004 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in January. Compaq sold its own line of digital music players, now discontinued, before its merger with HP. Mirrors of the Reuters story at CNN and Boston.com. A quick check shows that HPMusic.com resolves to an 'HP customer care local language selection' technical support page, and the domain has been registered since 1999."

Comments

New Pair of Dimes

[dolo666]

(checks crystal ball)

I see only one of two possible immediate outcomes to all of these music services going up at the same time:

1. The collapse of the RIAA's scare-tactics business model for coercion to expensive copyright, and a change in how people listen and contribute to the music industry.

2. The total destruction of all online music sales, as all said businesses compete eachother out of existence.

In either case, the indies will be getting a *huge* increase in power, wealth and the ability to remain flexible to meet market demand and handle new distribution opportunities.

I think this is really good for everyone... especially when you consider that most of the traditional corporations have mission statements like: "Our goal is to competently build virtual data to allow us to conveniently disseminate quality content for 100% customer satisfaction", and compare that line of thought to the mission of indy music, which is more along the lines of "create the best, most innovative music and get a huge fan base, because we ROCK!"

This is ...

[pavon]

more evidence that HP is trying to go out of business.

Maybe it will run on Linux

[El Cubano]

Seeing as HP has lots of support for Linux (mostly enterprise, but you can buy some of their desktop models with Mandrake preinstalled), maybe they will push to have a Linux version. Here's to hoping ...

HP's downward spiral

[mr.henry]

Jeez, this just smacks of desperation. The article also states HP is getting into flat screen TV's. Gateway has been selling these things for over a year now. This is as bad as their big launch of crappy consumer electronics (like the HP DVD Movie Writer, a device that converts VHS to DVD+R... not the more widely compatible DVD-R format).

It's really painful to watch HP crash and burn. Thanks, Carly!

Hmmm

[Captain Splendid]

As unimpressed as I am (I loathe HP, its products and all it stands for) all these music services/mp3 players coming out means that 2004 looks to to be the year where mp3 players become commodities. The hardware is at a decent stage (thanks to the iPod). Now all that's left is for prices to come down to walkman/discman-like levels.

This is scaring me

[Anonymous Coward]

For one reason: The popping up of all these services can only strengthen WMA.

Since everyone except iTunes seems to rely on WMA DRM, this slew of services may well be the thing that takes WMA from an also-ran joke to a serious media format.

I don't like the idea of MS having real power in the world of media formats.

I wish.

[Doktor Memory]

Ah, it's a lovely thought, but let's get real: that HP is long dead, and the bits they didn't spin off with Aligent got taken out behind the woodshed and shot.

No, this thing will be designed by ex-Compaq engineers. It'll be bigger than the Creative Nomad, flakier than the Rio Karma, heavier than the Zen, and more expensive than the iPod.

Re:Market Saturation

[newbiescum]

So this gives us no need to choose the HP music store over any other store. Further, HP hardware is not proprietary in the sense that getting music from the HP store would either be a required method of getting music or the easiest because of a lack of other sources. This seems to tell me one thing: HP's journey into online digital music sales will most likely be short lived.

Think of HP, Dell, and especially Gateway turning into the new Best Buys, Frys, and CompUSAs. They're already selling plasma TVs, PDAs, and digital cameras. This is just merely another technology product that they are offering. Then the reason why you pick HP versus Dell or Best Buy versus Frys is the customer service, prices, etc. just like a traditional retail outlet.

Re:Apple Copy

[UnknowingFool]

Is it me or does most of the computer makers just seem to follow Apple in many design respects? Apple comes out with a translucent computer the iMac. HP and Compaq add translucent parts to their machines. Apple names it's new line iMac. Compaq names it's new PDA iPaq. Apple abandons the theme and ops for a more metallic silver finish. Dell, HP/Compaq adds silver details to their computers.