Hewlett-Packard Co. and Apple Computer, Inc. announced a partnership whereby they will produce an HP-branded digital music player based on Apple’s iPod as well as ship HP computers preloaded with Apple’s iTunes software for downloading digital music via the Internet.

The moves cap what both companies say are their efforts to enable customers to get the most compelling digital content anytime and anywhere they want.

“Apple's goal is to get iPods and iTunes into the hands of every music lover around the world, and partnering with HP is going to help us do just that,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO.

HP CEO Carly Fiorina concurred. “We explored a range of alternatives to deliver a great digital music experience and concluded Apple’s iPod music player and iTunes music service were the best by far,” she said.

HP’s digital music player is expected to become available this summer. The companies declined to provide actual pricing but said it would be competitively priced to other digital music players currently available.

The iTunes software and a desktop icon guiding users to the music site will be preloaded on HP Pavilion, Media Center and Compaq Presario desktop and notebook consumer PCs beginning this summer, the companies said.

For more information, visit Apple here or HP here.