Dell finishes off its MP3 offerings, axes the Ditty

It seems like it was just yesterday when the nifty little Dell DJ Ditty was thrown into the ring, aiming at giving the iPod shuffle (among other minuscule flash-based players) a run for its money. We even heard Dell say that the Ditty was alive and well when they offed their hard drive-based DAPs awhile back, but obviously things have went unexpectedly awry, and Dell's thrown in the towel on portable audio -- for now. Noted for its tiny screen and utter lack of standout features, not to mention the off-the-wall advertising campaign, the Dell DJ Ditty never really "took off," and apparently couldn't deliver the profit margins necessary to stay afloat in this cutthroat market. But don't be too down on your luck, dear friends, as there's just about a bajillion other DAPs out there that will surely ease the pain of your loss.

[Via DAPreview]

[Ray @ Aug 23rd 2006 12:12PM]

I think it's safe to say Dell has enough on its plate right now (what with all the LAPTOPS EXPLODING) to worry about the uber-competitive DAP market.

[Mick O @ Aug 23rd 2006 12:22PM]

ENGADGET COMMENT EXCLUSIVE -- The REAL reason the Ditty was axed -- Mitch Ferrence (from the Ditty ads) is also the ASK A NINJA guy!!! He's out to erase his public past to protect himself from would-be attackers.

But, his now secret is out...

[Xcaliber @ Aug 23rd 2006 12:33PM]

haha...the iPod shuffle has NO screen and a complete lack of features..oh except for a great shuffle feature...

[tekdroid @ Aug 23rd 2006 12:49PM]

Dell's exit marks my ban on portable audio. There is simply no match for Dell's unique...bland, seen-it-a-million-times-before fantastic portable audio gear.

Plus, I have no idea how I'd even contemplate using a different manufacturer's product with my exploding laptop (thank you Sony).

[dave95 @ Aug 23rd 2006 1:22PM]

http://www.myspace.com/dellditty

Mitch Ferrence didn't quite live up to the "Dude Youre Getting A Dell" Dude! ;-)

The Shuffle has no screen, lack of features and cost more than the Ditty, yet who is getting axed? hmmmm

[Larry The Cable Guy's Mother @ Aug 23rd 2006 5:25PM]

The Shuffle has no screen, lack of features and cost more than the Ditty, yet who is getting axed? hmmmm

I was in Worst Buy once and someone was screaming at the cust service rep about this. I said "dude, there isn't a screen show on the box nor the demo unit, did you think one would miraculously appear?". He looked at me then continued his rant.

[The Jeremy @ Aug 23rd 2006 5:37PM]

Wow, is that Brett Ratner in the pic? No wonder he gets all the ladies in Hollywood. :)