Dell Aims at the iPod, Again

Round Rock (TX) - Dell is ready to return to the MP3 player battlefield and take another shot at Apple’s iPod. Following the Digital Jukebox (Dell DJ), which was introduced in 2003 and scrapped in 2006, Dell apparently believes that it has now what it takes to compete with the iPod for market share.

According to an article published by the Wall Street Journal today, the new device could be on sale as early as September. Our sources indicated that actually several new devices are in the works, which all may be aiming more or less for consumers that are attracted by the design-focused Apple brand.

In fact, Apple has invited journalists for a product unveiling on August 12, which promises "new products that redefine mobility as the industry knows it." While this event appears to be notebook-focused with "mind-blowing designs and exciting new features," it would only make sense for Dell to show this new media player at this event as well, if the WSJ is correct and a media player in fact has been developed by the company.

Details of the possible player are scarce, with the exception that Dell will be marketing it for less than $100, the integration of Wi-Fi capability and a connection to a Dell music subscription service, which is likely based on technology the company acquired through the purchase of Zing systems in 2007.

The sub $100 player could be wirelessly linked to Dell PCs and to a Dell music subscription service, according to reports.

It was not only Dell that tried to compete with Apple’s iPod. There are several interesting iPod alternatives out there, including Sandisk’s Sansa series and Microsoft’s Zune. However no one has come up with a recipe to crack Apple’s market dominance that has resulted in a market share of well over 70% and unit sales that are approaching 200 million units. Apple is currently selling more than 50 million iPods annually.