HP Expands iPod Deal, Picks up Shuffle and Mini Models

HP's audio deal with the devil—er ah, Apple Computer—is expanding beyond the standard iPod and iPod photo. This week, HP revealed that it will soon begin selling HP-branded iPod shuffle and iPod mini devices, giving the computer maker an almost complete range of iPod devices to resell. (Apple still retains the exclusive iPod U2 Special Edition model.) According to sources, HP will continue selling these other iPods for exactly the same prices as Apple does, and will begin selling them in either June or July. Which, if I'm correct, should be just around the time Apple starts selling completely new models anyway. Why the heck would anyone buy an HP iPod?