Dell to release Ditty and upgraded Pocket/DJ models
Perennially "value-focused" manufacturer Dell will soon be releasing several MP3 players that for the first time attempt to compete on features as well as price. Their first target is the iPod Shuffle (and to a lesser extent, the Samsung YP-U1), which will have a new nemesis in the form of the Dell Ditty (hmm, we thought Puffy only rocked HP products). This 512MB flash player will try to stand out in the crowd by sporting an LCD screen, FM tuner, and interchangable color "caps" (all for under a c-note), and is expected to drop quite soon, perhaps within the next week. Come fall, Dell will also be releasing upgraded versions of its Dell DJ and Pocket DJ hard drive players. New features include color LCD screens (bye-bye blue) and, ala the Samsung neXus, the ability to play XM satellite broadcasts (whether through a live feed or from prerecorded content via an XM dock is unclear), although there is no mention of any bumps in capacity. Finally, Dell will try to penetrate the MP3 fashion market with a pink version of the Dell DJ called, of course, the Pink DJ.
[Via tech dirt]
Update: A trustworthy unnamed source confirmed that the new DJ line will likely be announced in mid-October, and that XM functionality will be limited to prerecorded content. We're sorry for getting your hopes up.
