Even though reports in July indicated Dell would release a new MP3 player in time to compete with the Apple iPod this Christmas, it seems the PC manufacturer will push back a possible release until 2009.
Considering the current economic trouble in the United States and the rest of the world, there is no reason for Dell to try and rush to release a new MP3 player -- even though the holiday shopping season usually helps companies boost sales numbers.
Although plans for the MP3 player are on the back burner, Zing, software able to organize music and movies on PCs and notebooks, will move forward.
Dell first entered the MP3 player with its DJ Ditty line of products in 2003, but the player flopped, and Dell threw in the towel in 2006.
The number two global PC manufacturer has learned from its mistakes, and will rely on experience and new working partnerships to make an MP3 player a success. Dell will be able to work alongside Rhapsody and Pandora, and should be able to offer additional services not including a Dell subscription service.
Assuming Dell releases an MP3 player, it will compete with the iPod, which has a strong hold of the market, while SanDisk and Microsoft are trailing in second and third place. It's unlikely Dell would be able to topple Apple, SanDisk or Microsoft, especially without major marketing.
DJ Ditty was able to secure just three percent of the MP3 player market, which is still dominated by the iPod.
There are rumors social networking site MySpace also is interested in releasing a digital music player, although company officials said all the focus is currently on MySpace Music.
