Forget the mini for a moment. There's another new iPod.

HP and Apple today announced a strategic alliance that will see the creation of an HP-branded digital music player based on Apple's iPod.

"As part of the alliance, HP consumer PCs and notebooks will come preinstalled with Apple’s iTunes® jukebox software and an easy-reference desktop icon to point consumers directly to the iTunes Music Store, ensuring a simple, seamless music experience."

The HP press release says the new player will debut "this summer" and will be "priced competitively to other digital music players currently available."