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HP's iPod clone debuts; part of deal with Apple

By May Wong
The Associated Press

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SAN JOSE — Hewlett-Packard unveiled its own version of the iPod portable music player yesterday, showing the fruits of a groundbreaking partnership it had previously announced with Apple Computer.

HP is now taking orders for the player, which it has dubbed the "Apple iPod from HP." The product is a replica of Apple's latest models of the popular white 20-gigabyte and 40-gigabyte iPods but carries the HP brand instead.

The licensing deal, announced in January, is a break from Apple's usual isolationist stance and should help it capitalize on the broad retail reach of HP, the world's largest computer printer maker and second-largest PC maker.

For HP, working with Apple, the leader in portable music players and online music-store sales, gives it a quick foothold in the digital music space.

The price will be $299 for the 20-gigabyte model, or $399 for the 40-gigabyte model, matching Apple's current prices.

HP also unveiled about two dozen other consumer products, including a 42-inch plasma television and an all-in-one home-theater projector.

As part of the deal with Apple, HP has begun bundling Apple's iTunes jukebox software with all of its computers. HP's upcoming new digital entertainment center will also feature iTunes software.

Copyright © 2004 The Seattle Times Company

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