Apple Computer may have conquered the world with its iPod but its performance in India is not upto the market yet. Now, Apple wants to change it and Apple has found a very good partner for this. HCL Infosystems is the largest PC company of India and it has its network in all over India. HCL has entered into non-exclusive tie-up with Apple in this regard. Under this agreement, HCL will provide sales and support of Apple Desktop computers and iPods.
What is the use if you have an iPod but you do not have websites to download music? HCL has already already that problem too by launching a website HCLLive.in. The download charge for every song is just Rs 5 (nearly 10 cent). When I visited this website, I found that it was offering 25,000 songs for downloading.
It seems that at last Apple has found a very good partner for India. However, there is one concern for the users- pricing. I belive that Apple should try its best to ensure that the price of an iPod and Apple computer be almost the same in USA and India. If Apple can ensure it then I am sure iPod will become an instant hit in India.
Do you agree with me?
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Apple has offered it's hardware in india, the problem as you mentioned is that it's cheaper to buy it outside of india.
Example: iPod 30GB is INR 19,800 (roughly USD 430). Whereas the same iPod can be had at the US Apple Store for USD 299.
I'm sure the HCL tie-up is more for servicing then selling. But I would hope it's to sell the hardware as well.
http://www.asia.apple.com/store/india/
Posted by: manish | May 30, 2006 8:35 AM | Permalink to Comment