Commodore - Back In The Hardware Biz At Last?

Aphrika writes "Commodore is back in the hardware business [via current owners Tulip Computers] and this time they're taking on... Apple? Due for release in August are three MP3 players; the eVic, fPet and mPet. The eVic is a 20GB (hence the name) hard drive-based player, while the mPet and fPet are closer to the Muvo/iRiver styled flash players. They'll also be hoping you pay a visit to the Commodore World Music Store once in a while to stock up on tunes..." We also recently mentioned Commodore's 'TV Game' and ROM-store projects over at Slashdot Games.

Comments

Huh?

[MBCook]

OK, I didn't own a Commodore, but I know the name. That said, can someone explain the logic behind this? If they made laptops, desktops, or even web-tv devices, I could understand. I could even sorta understand if they made TiVos. But MP3 players?

This makes about as much sense to me as using the GE brand name to sell fresh carrots.

And how in the world does the name eVic imply 20GB of storage? Is it something in another language (like vic means 20), or was the poster meaning that the eVic was supposed to compete with the iPod based on similarities in the way they are capitalized and the lengths of the name?

None of this makes any sense. They should sell C64s today for hobbiesests and nostalgia. They could be very tiny, still use a TV, be tons of fun. Or make another hobbiest platform. But... MP3 players? Like the market needs more MP3 players.

Re:You're the only one

[Dasher42]

I feel it necessary to say this: the way Commodore ran the Amiga into the ground made open source make a hell of a lot of sense. Amiga users, zealous as they were, were helpless to prevent the actual demise of their favorite platform.

Linux gained a convert in me for its immunity to just this kind of thing. At least the open source community cares about its products.

Re:You're the only one

[jimbolaya]

Nothing at all. But the remarkable thing about the iPod is its appeal among non-techies. The iPod really has become a cultural phenomenon much like the Walkman was decades ago.

Commodore may sell a few music players to techies, but taking on Apple, it is not. I still get a chuckle out of the almost weekly reports of the next "iPod killer". This sort of press alone demonstrates the leadership of the iPod.