Dell looks to add 'Zing' to consumer line

Dell has agreed to acquire Zing Systems, a software company that specialises in audio synching and streaming products for mobile devices.

Zing provides software that allows portable media players to play, store and navigate music from streaming audio feeds.

Hardware vendors that use Zing software include SanDisk and Sirius.

The company was founded by Tim Bucher, a former executive who is credited with overseeing the development of the Mac Mini. Zing is based in Mountain View, California and is privately held.

Terms of the deal and an expected closing date for the acquisition were not disclosed.

Dell is being similarly secretive about its plans for Zing, saying only that the software would be used for "improving the entertainment experiences".

The acquisition is the latest move in Dell's ongoing campaign to revamp its consumer offerings after falling behind rival HP in the home PC market.

Dell's purge began with the firing of its CEO and has since included the company opening its first retail channel with Wal-Mart, offering a line of Linux PCs, and re-tooling its notebook line.

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