After years of partnership, Hewlett-Packard has ended its music distribution agreement with Apple Computer and its iTunes software, and will now bundle Real Networks' Rhapsody software with its PCs.
HP's decision to drop Apple had been widely anticipated after the company decided to stop distributing its HP-branded version of Apple's iPod this past summer. Cnet suggests that HP's decision to drop
Apple has something to do with the power of Apple's iPod brand, which overshadowed the fact that the music devices had been produced and distributed by HP. Now, Rhapsody will be the default music
software on HP's PC's and entertainment devices. The HP-Apple deal will be just over two years old when it ends this spring. Separately, Real is also expected to announce a deal with Cox
Communications that lets consumers pay for their monthly music fees on their cable bill.
Read the whole story at Cnet News.com »