“Rock band U2 has cut a deal with Apple Computer to sell custom iPods promoting the band’s forthcoming album,” Matthew Miller reports for Forbes. “Sources close to the group say the U2 edition of the popular digital music player will come preloaded with the band’s new album, ‘How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb,’ along with portions of the Irish supergroup’s 25-year catalogue. The iPods will be black and will be made available the same week as the band’s 11th studio album, which is slated to be released in the U.S. by Universal Music Group’s Interscope Records on November 23.”
Miller reports, “The deal is expected to be announced officially next week in San Jose, Calif. at a conference held by singer Bono, guitarist The Edge and Apple founder Steve Jobs. Both Apple and Interscope representatives declined to comment.”
Full article here.
Related MacDailyNews article:
New iPod soon? Apple to hold special event on October 26th – October 18, 2004
I wonder if we’ll see more deals like this
It’d be odd if Apple single’d out U2 only – kinda … discriminatory?
Come on.. a black ipod is cool..
how many are they making.. 10,000?
Ok so what kind of DRM will these songs have? Just curious as to how it will work.
Dave
Big deal. I really hope this isn’t true. I could give a shi* if it’s black and if it has U2 songs on it. I want to see HARDWARE advances.
Black iPod = yuck.
What if you don’t like U2. Mind you if it’s 60gigs, count me in.
Devnull,
You said it. Maybe a black iPod would appeal to some — I wouldn’t care either way — a 60+GB capacity is what I’m waiting for before I upgrade my older model. I want ALL my music with me when I’m mobile (with expansion room also!).
Black’s cool…I can see the new ads coming… everything reversed… white silhouettes with black pods, cords and earbuds.
They are probably engraved with band member sigs.
Lame.
Never say Apple products are Lame. I never looked at an Apple product and thought wow that’s a awful looking pile of crap.
That might just prompt me to buy my first iPod. Sorry if you don’t like the group, I do.
Black?
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Why not Pink?
Dave – they’ll probably be encoded with Apple Lossless as its the best bit rate with the highest audio quality.
rlhamon!
I like the look of Apple products too … generally.
But unlike the original iMac, on which it’s based, the eMac is really ugly.
but if its preloaded on the iPod that means you will NEVER be able to get the songs into iTunes!
Why would Apple imprison the songs in an iPod?
I know you can use 3rd party apps but Apple doesn’t condone that so their strategy is flawed unless they issue the songs on a CD with the iPod…
umm, if they are stored on the HD (in FW Disk mode) in addition to being in the iTunes music library on your ipod, you can just download them yourself.
Then again what they might do is something like how Belkin iTalk voice memos are imported automatically when you plug you iPod into your computer.
Dells are black…so why not put on some Mac adverts as well – of course not subliminal.
Whatever, this is bound to heap yet more publicity on the iPod…
Massive press coverage, Bono talking about how neat Apple are.
It’s a winner.
Even if you hate U2 and the idea of a black iPod.
It’s a trojan horse.
The tide is turning.
PS, I reckon they’ll not pre-load it but allow you to get the LP from iTunes “free”.
Therefore introducing you to iTunes as well as iPod.
Charco – The eMac with the (expensive) tilt and swivel stand makes it really cool – without it, I agree it is a bit sucky….
Black iPod for a white band – very PC….. (politically correct – not the other)
Winston – I don’t want the tide to turn. It is very, very important that there are droves of idiots out there using Dulls, MicroCrap and Windoze.
Why? I hear you ask – Well in the land of the blind the one eye is king…….
In other news, the Lawrence Welk edition of iPod will debut in a light Sea Foam, loaded with your favorite waltzes.
The Bush edition iPod will debut in shi*t brown and come preloaded with 60 minutes of his most wise as* remarks that pis*ed off the world.
>>The Bush edition iPod will debut in shi*t brown and come preloaded with 60 minutes of his most wise as* remarks that pis*ed off the world>>
…and next will come the Kerry edition in which the song will change every 30 seconds…with no input from the listener.
One thing is certain, anyone who would look to the entertainment industry for advice or guidance needs to have his or her head examined.
LOL Lucky, good one.
Woohoo, Apple Store is closed for updating!!
You guys completely are missing the point of this…
Yes, it’s going to be a Black “Special Edition” iPod for U2. But, if they are going to take the step and offer a colored iPod, what makes you think this isn’t just the precursor to new selection of colors for the iPod itself (i.e.: iPod Mini)? Further, what if the “Special Edition” is the first with the 60 Gig HD and color screen. Color seems to be a theme here…