Apple posts Compaq iTunes as HP music store goes live

March 13, 2004

Back in January, HP have launched their digital music service and made an agreement with Apple to sell HP branded iPods and its iTunes equivalent this summer. Even though the summer is still several months ahead, HP has now launched its Compaq branded version of iTunes which is available for download from the Apple website. It runs on both the Mac and Windows and functions similar to Apple's iTunes but also allows Apple to track downloads made by HP customers and puts an icon on the desktop to HP's music and equipment website.

So far no further announcement has been made on the launch of the HP rebranded iPod. HP is expected to make a partnership with the coffee seller Starbucks next Tuesday to provide an in-store music preview, download and burning solution. GristyMcFisty and Quakester2000 both submitted the following news via our news submit :

When HP CEO Carly Fiorina launched the company's digital music service last January, she said the online store and Apple iTunes-derived jukebox software would become available this summer, in the same timeframe that the company will launch its own hard drive-based portable music player.

Summer appears to have come early: HP yesterday posted a web site devoted to the new service, and Apple began offering an HP-specific version of iTunes for downloading.

The 'special' HP/Compaq version of iTunes is version 4.2 of the software, as per the Mac and non-specific Windows versions of the software. The chief difference is believed to be code to allow Apple to track downloads made by HP customers rather than those of its own.

As yet there's no sign on the site of HP's anticipated rebranded iPod, which is "expected to become available this summer", HP said. In the same timeframe, HP will add "a desktop icon guiding users to the music site" to HP Pavilion, Media Center and Compaq Presario desktop and notebook consumer PCs.

With the HP and Apple web sites updated, a formal opening is presumably not far off, and should be accompanied by the plan to bundle iTunes on HP's systems. Hopefully, the 'HPod' won't be far behind.

It will be interesting to see how HP gets on with its iTunes version. Back in January its CEO Carly Fiorina has also announced that HP is also committed to enforcing copyright protection on all its new equipment. Their new music service may attract consumers who are happy with CPRM restrictions but will potentially make others think twice before purchasing HP branded equipment. Feel free to discuss and read more about iTunes and other music download services on our Music Downloads, P2P & Legal Issues Forum.

Source: The Register