Hewlett Packard has decided to stop selling the HP-branded iPods after a year of partnership with Apple. the news was confirmed by The Wall Street Journal. The company’s spokesman told the paper that the partnership with Apple doesn’t fit in with our digital entertainment strategy.

“The deal between the two companies, which compete against each other in the PC market, was originally viewed as a major step for both companies, but the breakdown of the partnership isn’t likely to be a big loss for either side,� The Journal reports. “H-P on average accounted for only about 5% of iPod sales, which totaled about 6.2 million of the devices, worth more than $1.1 billion in revenue, for Apple last quarter.�

It might be a game that shouldn’t be started! HP doesn’t gain much on this deal. Moreover, according to their contract, HP is not allowed to develop or market any kind of competing product until August 2006. They just out of the game!

{ via DAPreview }

If you really like HP-branded iPod, get your last chance here before it’s gone!