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Our Bureau

Unveils entertainment portal to offer content

New Delhi , May 29

In a bid to strengthen its digital lifestyle products bouquet, HCL Infosystems Ltd today announced a strategic alliance with Apple to provide sales and service support for iPods in India.

As part of the tie-up, HCL is setting up distribution, logistics and service network to ensure availability of Apple iPods at key retail channels, including music shops, consumer electronic stores, format stores and other key outlets. The rollout would take place in a phased manner, with the first phase covering metros and others including Delhi, Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Pune. The company also plans to introduce iPod accessories across its network shortly.

HCL would also distribute Apple desktop computers for education, media and entertainment space.

"The tie-up marks HCL's focus in addressing the emerging digital lifestyle revolution in India. India's digital music industry is poised on the threshold of an explosive growth. The sheer size of Indian music industry as one of the largest players in the global music industry is the key to its potential for growth. In addition, steady technological advances including broadband availability promises a paradigm shift in the way music lovers access and enjoy music, creating newer avenues such as online music transfers and non-physical music formats," Mr Ajai Chowdhry, Chairman and CEO, HCL Infosystems, said at a conference here.

The alliance with Apple would be backed by content as HCL has also launched an entertainment portal that would offer downloads for iPods, PCs and mobiles.

According to the IFPI:06 — Digital Music report, globally around 420 million single tracks were downloaded in 2005 — up more than 20 times from the two-year-ago figure.

HCL expects the alliance to strengthen its existing digital lifestyle product portfolio, which currently includes Media Centre PCs, laptops, mobile phones, computers, and digital camera, amongst others.

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