HEWLETT-PACKARD TAKES
A BITE OF APPLE

Hot on the heels of those cute mini-iPods, Apple has announced a partnership with Hewlett-Packard, the world’s second largest computer maker. The deal calls for HP-branded iPods and iTunes software bundled on all HP personal computers. Financial details weren’t released, but there’s dough changing hands at 99 cents a pop.

The HP music player is expected to debut this summer and will look different than the Apple iPods. A price was not disclosed, but the new mini-iPods are the lowest-priced at $249. And they’re so cute too.

Said Apple CEO Steve Jobs: “Apple's goal is to get iPods and iTunes into the hands of every music lover around the world, and partnering with HP, an innovative consumer company, is going to help us do just that. As the industry balkanizes by offering digital music wrapped in a multitude of incompatible proprietary technologies, consumers will be reassured in getting the same unparalleled digital music solutions from both HP and Apple, two leaders in the digital music era. Stick that in your earbud, Bill Gates.”

Added HP Chairman/CEO Carly Fiorina: HP's goal is to bring the most compelling entertainment content and experiences to our customers. We explored a range of alternatives to deliver a great digital music experience and concluded Apple's iPod music player and iTunes music service were the best by far. By partnering with Apple, we have the opportunity to add value by integrating the world's best digital music offering into HP's larger digital entertainment system strategy. Actually, Apple took over control of our minds through subliminal technology in those TV ads with that Jet song.”

Did we mention the mini-iPods are cute?