HP's iTunes obligations coming to an end
Hewlett Packard's deal with Apple, requiring HP to bundle iTunes with its PCs, will lapse in January. HP says it plans to pursue a new digital entertainment strategy in 2006, but isn't telling what that strategy will look like. Business Week reports that there has already been some "cozying up" between HP and Microsoft, and suggests that HP will once again become a "chess piece," although not a very powerful one, in Microsoft's efforts to beat Apple in the music and digital media markets. Ah, what a tangled weave these companies weave.A little history puts the demise of the HP-Apple deal in perspective. Back in January 2004, HP's former CEO Carly Fiorina, inked a deal with Apple allowing HP to resell iPods with the HP logo on the back and requiring HP to pre-install iTunes on its PCs. HP insiders criticized the deal from the start, concerned that it distracted HP from developing Windows Media products, and that it made the company look like anything but an innovator. To make a long story short, HP quit selling iPods this summer and will soon be free of obligations to bundle iTunes with its PCs. Does Apple care? We'd bet not.
Share
Categories
Hewlett Packard's deal with Apple, requiring HP to bundle iTunes with its PCs, will lapse in January. HP says it plans to pursue a new...
Add a Comment
I helped a friend set up their new HP computer a little while ago. Unfortunately, HP bundles so much junk software with their computers that unless you knew to look for iTunes, it will be a long time before you actually discover that it's been there all along.
December 16 2005 at 9:29 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHP loses more than Apple. With the iPod as hot as it is, getting mentioned in articles about the iPod was excellent free publicity. Perhaps HP will be joining the ill-conceived Microsoft-MTV relationship.
December 16 2005 at 9:28 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyI think the HP/Apple deal was the only good thing Carly did. Did it make HP tons of money? No. But then again, HP's computers don't even make money. It was nice to see HP admit that the best digital music experience was the iPod. But I'm sure Mr. Hurd and crew will come up with something great....NOT!
December 15 2005 at 11:19 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down ReplyHot Apps on TUAW
Deals of the Day
more deals- Altec Lansing Octiv Duo iDock for $48 + free shipping
- Used Apple iMac 17" Core Duo 1.83GHz for $430 + $28 s&h
- Lounge Deluxe Stand for iPhone / iPod touch for $28 + $8 s&h
- Brookstone Surround-Sound Earbuds for $14 + $7 s&h
- Refurbished Skullcandy Tokidoki Smokin' Buds Mic'd Headset for $5 + $2 s&h
- Stitchway Backup Battery for iPod / iPhone for $5 + free shipping
Software Updates
more updates- EFI Firmware Update brings Lion Internet Recovery to 2010-model Macs
- OS X Lion 10.7.3 released with Safari 5.1.3, Wi-Fi bug fix
- Aperture updated to 3.2.2, addresses Photo Stream issue
- Apple updates Keynote to address Lion issues
- Google Search app gets new look on iPad
- Apple releases Apple TV Software Update 4.4.3



3 Comments