In an effort to convert users of Apple’s iPod music player to its own Digital Jukebox, or DJ, Dell Inc. on Wednesday announced a US$100 mail-in rebate for DJ buyers who send in their old iPods for “recycling.” The rebate nets users a new 15GB Dell DJ for $99.
Dell is one of several companies that’s going head to head with Apple by making its own hard drive-based digital music player. Dell’s DJ sports a graphical interface and a rechargeable battery that’s good for up to 20 hours of play. The Dell DJ can play back MP3 and Windows Media Audio (WMA)-based files, although it cannot play the Advanced Audio Codec (AAC) and FairPlay Digital Rights Management (DRM)-encrypted songs that Apple sells through its popular iTunes Music Store. Also, Dell’s DJ is compatible with Windows PCs only, while Apple’s iPod works with both Macs and PCs.