e.Digital Corporation (fka EDIG)

[murgirl]

who know's??

Dell Targets Consumers with Music Player, TV

By Caroline Humer NEW YORK (Reuters) - Dell Inc. on Thursday said it will launch a music service and other consumer electronics products before the holidays, betting it can undercut rivals and steal market share, as it did with personal computers.

Chief Executive Michael Dell said the products, which include a digital music player and a flat-panel television, will allow the company to take on the home entertainment market. Dell already sells some consumer electronics under its own brand. "In 1997, we weren't really in the consumer personal computer business. We're now No. 1 in the largest market in the world. It's conceivable that we could do the same in these other categories, as well," Dell said during a conference call. The Round Rock, Texas company's move follows that of other PC makers that have begun to reach deeper into the consumer electronics market amid weak demand for computers. Dell already sells an inexpensive printer and a handheld computer. For example, Apple Computer Inc. has launched the iPod music player, and Gateway Inc. sells big-screen televisions. Hewlett-Packard Co. has said it will spend $300 million on advertising its consumer products this fall. Dell became the No. 1 personal computer company by selling directly to customers, enabling it to pass steadily falling computer parts costs on to buyers and undercut competition with aggressive pricing. Analysts said that Dell's path is not an easy one. "Dell has a long way to go before gaining market share in the consumer electronics market," said Bill Armstrong, a retail analyst at C.L. King & Associates. But he said the company could affect competitors, which include companies like Sony Corp (NYSE:SNE - news) (news - web sites). and Matsushita Electric Industrial Co.'s Panasonic brand. "There are a lot of players and its entry could put pressure on product prices," he said. DOWNLOAD ON DELL, DUDE Dell's entrance into the music service market may help increase demand for PCs as customers upgrade their machines to handle the data-intensive tasks, said Victory Capital analyst Marty Shagrin. Victory Capital owns Dell shares. PC demand has been slow for years as consumers and corporations have made due with their current systems. "While corporations are struggling to find that next killer application to see that corporate upgrade cycle, the consumer, you can argue, has found that, and Dell recognizes that," Shagrin said. "Dell wants to make sure it gets a bigger piece of the consumer share." Dell declined to provide details on pricing for the new products, which include the Dell Digital Jukebox, Dell Music Store, and a 17-inch flat panel monitor and television. It will also start selling an Axim handheld computer that has wireless (news - web sites) capabilities. Dell also declined to provide further details on the music store, whose introduction comes as the recording industry remains locked in a legal battle against online piracy."It appears that Dell is re-branding one of the second-tier music services that will be announced soon, just like they are re-branding Creative's MP3 player," Apple said in a statement, referring to Creative Technology Ltd.'s multi-purpose digital device. "There is little original here." Dell said that it would price its service competitively with other services. MusicMatch's Artist OnDemand offers ad-free Internet radio for under $3 a month, and RealNetworks Inc.'s Rhapsody sells downloads for 79 cents a song. Media software company Roxio Inc. is planning to soon unveil a legitimate version of song-swap pioneer Napster (news - web sites).
"Even while some purchases may be made online or by phone, the vast majority of our buyers do come into our stores to see these systems," said Bob Sherbin, Gateway spokesman. Shares of Dell were up 30 cents $34.20 in active afternoon trade on the Nasdaq. (Additional reporting by Sue Zeidler in Los Angeles and Ellis Mnyandu in New York)

http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/nm/20030925/tc_nm/tech_dell_dc_8

I can't find anything on a creative 1.8..anyone?