Dell Going Up Against iPod Today

The Austin American Statesman (registration required) reports that Dell will start selling its first flash-based portable digital audio player, the DJ Ditty. The cigarette lighter-looking device offers 512MB of capacity and will cost $99. The device sports a screen and FM tuner, and will work with music subscription services.

I don't think Apple has anything to be scared of by the D Ditty. It looks pretty much like every other me-too device on the market. Obviously, Dell didn't go the extra mile with the design, that's for sure.

Roger Kay at Endpoint Technology Associates said, "What Apple's producing with iPod is the total experience with hardware, software and services. That's the piece none of the other purveyors have figured out: how to make the thing a great experience from soup to nuts."