Can Dell Challenge the iPod?

Most of us would not associate Dell with the sleekness and style that has become synonymous with Apple. But Dell is confident it can break through in the consumer electronics market by launching its own MP3 players.

This would not be Dell's first foray into the portable music market: it has failed once and watched Apple take the market by storm. But Dell believes things will be different this time. The device will focus on seamless integration of the PC, music store and music player. It will offer Wi-fi on select models and perhaps most critically, it will ring in at under $100.

This also means we'll be hearing more from Zing, the startup company Dell bought back in 2007. Zing will be responsible for hosting the content and services that will be the life and soul of Dell's music players. Whether Dell is able to forge partnership with entertainment companies that have given Apple the edge on rivals remains to be seen. Watch out for the Dell music player over the coming months.