[Jason Dunn]

http://news.com.com/HP+brand+to+inject+new+life+into+ink/2100-1003_3-5327721.html?part=rss&tag=5327721&subj=news.1003.5

"Hewlett-Packard's new "Vivera" brand name for ink products could make a good impression in customers' minds, according to analysts. The company on Friday put the label on its latest set of inks for printing photos on its inkjet printers. Promoting Vivera inks could help HP fend off competition from lower-end ink sellers, even as it battles against photo printer specialists Epson and Canon, which also have come with brand names for ink products, analysts said."

Ok, I'm really getting fed up with HP this week. First we had the ho-hum iPod announcement ("Look it says HP on the back...please love it!"), and now we have HP launching a new name for their ink. Note that this article doesn't mention the ink is any better than the old ink, it's just in a different package and with a new name. I used to have a great deal of respect for HP, but between their screw-ups in the Pocket PC world, the iPod release, and this ink thing...I'm looking at them with my Spok-esque eybrow raised. Carly, what are you doing over there? 8O

[Jason Dunn]

http://news.com.com/HP+brand+to+inject+new+life+into+ink/2100-1003_3-5327721.html?part=rss&tag=5327721&subj=news.1003.5

"Hewlett-Packard's new "Vivera" brand name for ink products could make a good impression in customers' minds, according to analysts. The company on Friday put the label on its latest set of inks for printing photos on its inkjet printers. Promoting Vivera inks could help HP fend off competition from lower-end ink sellers, even as it battles against photo printer specialists Epson and Canon, which also have come with brand names for ink products, analysts said."

Ok, I'm really getting fed up with HP this week. First we had the ho-hum iPod announcement ("Look it says HP on the back...please love it!"), and now we have HP launching a new name for their ink. Note that this article doesn't mention the ink is any better than the old ink, it's just in a different package and with a new name. I used to have a great deal of respect for HP, but between their screw-ups in the Pocket PC world, the iPod release, and this ink thing...I'm looking at them with my Spok-esque eybrow raised. Carly, what are you doing over there? 8O

[arebelspy]

Every silly move HP makes though analysists go "ooh people will like this" ..

I wonder how much they're being paid. :P

-arebelspy

[pradike]

With their position on the PPC 2003 upgrade for the 3800 and 3900 series IPAQs, HP has already lost me as a customer. I have sold one printer, replaced another with a NON-HP printer, and plan to replace my HP PC with another brand by year end.

I know my single consumer protest means little, but if more folks show them their disgust with their wallets, HP will get he message how angryt he public is at their poor product support practices.

[Crocuta]

Does anyone but me think that 'Vivera' sounds suspiciously like 'Viagra'? Even though one product has nothing to do with the other, could it be that their marketing people thought the similarity might create some subliminal positive reaction from consumers? I mean it's no more stupid an idea than creating a fluffy brand name for their ink in the first place.

Personally, I'd be more likely to stick to their brand of ink for their printers if they played up on the idea of being 'genuine HP ink' and made a big deal about how 'only HP inks are designed specifically for your HP printer' and so forth. All I get from this move is the idea, 'use Vivera ink and your printer will stay turned on all night'. :lol:

BTW, I'm with Pradike. Between the never-ending stupid moves from HP and my own terrible support experiences with them, I'm definitely off the HP bandwagon. I just bought a new Minolta color laser printer and a major part of the decision came from my recent support experiences. (In fairness, though, I'd have probably bought it anyway. It's far and away a better product than the HP competitor.)

In fact, now that I think of it, why would I ever buy another HP product when I have needed support on three out of three different HP products I currently own? I've never needed support on any Sony product ever (out of dozens I've owned) or on most other products I've bought, but every single HP product has failed at some time in the warranty period. It may not be a statistically reliable sample, but I think I'm starting to see a pattern here.

[Suhit Gupta]

HP is definitely pissing me off too. It all started with their crazy decision of not releasing updates/service packs for their Windows Mobile supported devices. I found that infinitely infuriating. And yes, there is really no information on how this new ink may be better, it is just different and has properties including "life, true-to-life, acclaim and longevity". How so? I wish there were more details. Argh!

Suhit

[Tim Williamson]

Originally Posted by Jason Dunn

I'm looking at them with my Spok-esque eybrow raised. Carly, what are you doing over there? 8O

I was thinking the exact same thing...seriously I think women are more into the let's make everything all pretty and nice (those are good things to strive for in products, look at Apple), but most people are into getting a better product, not just a different name or packaging (hPod, Vivera, etc.)... :roll:

[KH]

My understanding is that these inks are an updated formulation intended to last longer and create less expensive prints. If true, I'd say that is reason for a new branding.

[Jason Dunn]

Originally Posted by KH

My understanding is that these inks are an updated formulation intended to last longer and create less expensive prints. If true, I'd say that is reason for a new branding.

Oh, ok. That wasn't entirely clear from what I read, but that's good to hear anyway. :-)