“Being angry about an album you were given for free does sound dumb, but due to the way iTunes purchase libraries work, that’s not the whole story,” Marco Arment blogs for Marco.org. “As far as most people can tell, purchases stick around forever. I didn’t even know you could hide purchases from your history until this, and I’m supposed to be an expert in Apple stuff.”
“The right way for Apple to do a big U2 promotional deal like this would have been to simply make the album free on the iTunes Store for a while and promote the hell out of that,” Arment blogs. “The damage here isn’t that a bunch of people need to figure out how to delete an album1 that they got for free and are now whining about. It’s that Apple did something inconsiderate, tone-deaf, and kinda creepy for the sake of a relatively unimportant marketing campaign, and they seemingly didn’t think it would be a problem.”
Read more in the full article here.
MacDailyNews Take: We maintain this is overblown. FWPOS. Apple will learn from this, likely never execute a promotion in such a manner ever again, and nobody outside of overwrought media types and thankful U2 fans will remember this in three weeks.
Related articles:
Apple creates tool for removing free U2 album from iTunes library – September 15, 2014
Apple iTunes users download 2 million copies of new U2 album; 17 other U2 albums in iTunes top 100 chart – September 12, 2014
Apple’s new TV spot “Echoes” featuring U2, iTunes and iPhone 6 goes into heavy rotation – September 11, 2014
Some iTunes users upset over Apple’s U2 album giveaway – September 11, 2014
Apple and U2 release ‘Songs of Innocence’ exclusively for iTunes Store customers – September 9, 2014
My mother has my old iPhone. She basically uses it to take photos and to listen to stuff in the garden. As a phone she makes the occasional call and barely uses data beyond connecting to the internet at home on wifi. She doesn’t install apps unless I find something I think she may use, and barely buys music. To make things as easy as possible I have automatic downloads on. As she is on PAYG, had I not intervened or she not been on wifi, she may have had to pay to download this. Not a lot, but still money. There are instances where this sort of thing would be wrong. It’s still overblown though.
Agreed. Lots of people don’t like free newspapers at their door, or free magazines offered to them at their doorstep. The U2 album wasn’t FREE, it was purchased. U2 gained a whole lot of extra exposure. Essentially, it was a form of advertising, similar to the FREE concert at the superbowl. It’s not just that the U2 was available, it is that it was perpetually available, like it was painted on your wall everytime you used iTunes.
When you take away people’s illusion of choice, they don’t like it. Even if it’s for a popular band like U2.
I would have been fine, happy even if it had been free and then we choose to “buy” it. You couldn’t have any argument with that, I personally don’t mind having had it download, but that’s because it doesn’t negatively impact me in any way. There are instances, however minor where it could, and I think that is a legitimate issue.
While we’re on the subject, I didn’t appreciate when iTunes automatically changed the album cover art in the artist list on my iPhone, some of which replaced images I specifically installed. I now have some images that I not only don’t want but are at times distasteful.
I asked a friend of mine what his favorite in life and he answered … Of course just anything “Free”!
Marco Arment, an expert in Apple stuff.
Please, tell me another joke.
Really. People throw around the expert moniker a little too freely. Especially when referring to themselves.
Very few actual experts in any field in this world and he aint one of them.
If you don’t know how ridiculous you sound saying that Marco isn’t “an expert in this stuff,” I don’t know what to say. Wait. Yes, I do: go read something.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Marco_Arment
it’s like dumping a bunch of rusty old folding chairs onto my front lawn ‘for free’. don’t want it, don’t care, keep out.
Not really. First, U2’s album isn’t similar to “a bunch of rusty old folding chairs.” You may not like the music, but it’s certainly not an eyesore or a danger on your phone or computer. Second, you’d have to pay to get rid of those old chairs. You don’t have to pay to get rid of an album you don’t like. You simply delete the songs, also for free. It takes about 10 seconds. Or you could simply ignore it, and pretend it doesn’t exist.
It’s simply not a big deal.
It’s more like, Apple stuffed an envelope of music into your PO BOX.
Let’s get perspective here. If you don’t like the music, delete it. It’s no worse than SPAM (at the worst) and frankly what was tossed your way, has some intrinsic value, artistic integrity, and doesn’t want anything from you, or your money.
i have a feeling most people defending this move would think different if apple had dropped a gangsta-rap album instead
Nope. I’d have simply deleted it. Even at very worst it’s not as bad as the money mailer envelope that arrives at home every week. That wastes real resources.
In the time it’s taken you to write two posts about it you could have deleted the album 10 times.
i think you’re lying
I suppose so. But, at worst it’s like they sent you a Victoria’s Secret catalog to your mail box, and your mailbox was a slot in the front door. Then you come home and witness your 10 to 12 year old son is reviewing the contents of that catalog. That is the worst. In reality it’s closer to Boy’s Life.
U2’s music sucks.
You are just a hater because your career in your field has not gone even half as well as U2’s in their field. That is what all this is about, haters. Bono has been laughing all the way to the bank for over 30 years. Oh yeah, he has more money than you, is more socially conscious than you, and does good for all of humanity. You just hate on a fanboy blog.
We might better understand what you are saying if you pull Bono’s junk outta your mouth first. It’s not polite to talk with your mouth full like that.
People who use the word “hater” are at the lowest stage of human evolution.
You sound like one of those fan girls who think Justin Bieber is God’s Gift to the Musica Universalis, when he is just another poop fartist.
Because People is Stupid. And stupid is stupid does!!!!
People are crying about this?
What about all the crapware, bloatware, that is preinstalled on Android phones, Windows phones and computers?
And these songs are not even downloaded to their devices.
BOOO HOOOOOO!
Because People is Stupid. And Stupid is and Stupid Does…!
No, no, no:
Stupid is AS stupid does.
Please, get is straight…
macman,
Some people enjoy their ignorance. Let tonyx enjoys his own little lala land! 😀
is you’re typeo “get is straight” worth pointing out? hehehe
Why the anger? Heck that’s obvious it sets a precedence. I mean can imagine if someone decided to give peace on earth. Heck the Amurdercans would not have a clue what to do with it….
unless the app to return it came out shortly after…
or they got invasion plans, whichever came first.
For the benefit of those not belonging to the civilized world this post contains the /shjtt (satire, humor, joke, tall tale) tag.
What does FWPOS mean?
Heck if I know, I’m from an AFZ.
Ya- REALLY good question. A google search turned up nothing. What DOES this mean?
First World Problem on Steroids.
At least that’s what MDN means when they use it.
Really, no one knows?
I’m going to assume they mean Free Wiener Platters On Saturday, and I’ll be very disappointed if MDN does not deliver on this promise.
I can’t say for sure, but I’d guess:
Fscking Whiney Piece(s) of Shit
😊
Wasting energy on being angry about a U2 album showing up on you phone shows such a lack of perspective on what real life problems are.
And while I’m here…
Putting things on your phone (desired or not) really is a no-no. It sets a bad precedent and fosters conspiracy theories (like, what ELSE are they putting on my phone that I didn’t ask for or don’t know about?). Bad idea, Apple (nice thought and jester, but bad implementation). Next time, follow the article’s advice: just let people download it for free…
I meant: Having Apple put things on your phone…
I’m 70. The irrelevant BS that flows just blows me away. Makes me long for the 1950’s again.
Removing unwanted music from iCloud is one small thing that Apple has gotten wrong for its customers. The free U2 album just shed light on it.
I know it’s a small thing, but it’s still annoying. A huge part of Apple’s appeal is they usually get small details like these right and don’t making simple things like this annoying for users. It’s annoying, and Apple should fix it sooner than later.
There is an increasing amount of cruft in the App libraries of many accounts. Fir example, when Good Reader went through a recent upgrade the app was listed in the store as a separate app and the old one hangs around in the library. Yes, I know I can hide it, but why can I not just delete the damn thing?
As to music, Apple should have put it up for download- not automatically added it to everyone’s library. I like old U2 music, but they have been irrelevant for a very long time. The freebie album fairly well sucks.
It has all been downhill after Rattle & Hum.
What you said exactly. You can’t really truly delete things in any of the stores. You can only hide them. They are forever showing in your hidden list or purchased list.
Quite annoying and not really Apple-like. Why don’t they fix this?
U2 analysis is spot on. Angry young bands get rich and lose all credibility. Then they write sucky happy songs and lose even more credibility. They should just go away.
Agreed that it’s overblown. That said, it would be scary if no one involved in Apple’s decision making around putting U2’s album into everyone’s iTunes account didn’t at least have some kind of discussion around the various digital privacy issues involved in doing this.
Maybe Apple just got too excited, going with the “Santa” model, meaning put the album “under the tree” so to speak.
I think it works better for digital “give-aways” to “go to the store” and get the free gift.
I dare say most of the comments in MDN are in general VERY infantile. To the point in question. I have a 16 gb iPhone on which I want to keep running IOS 6 because for one stupid reason (according to some morons here) or other I hate IOS 7. But Apple FORCED a dowload of 7 without my consent. So I have it on MY phone ( it’s mine dammit) it is over 1 gb and I cannot delete it. Make a guess of my feelings towards Apple after this.
Not to contradict you, but I find it difficult to understand, Apple forcing and iOS update. Especially from 6 to 7.
Could this have been an accident? I only say it because you and I agree there’s a fine line here, and a forced update is egregious.
On the other hand, a song added to your library is harmless, unless you just don’t have the space.
Them: Climb the FUD mountain!!! Because we can!!!!
Plain stupid pure and simple. It was a gift and people just don’t appreciate it. So delete it and move on. Apple has setup a utility so you can get rid of it if it really bothers you that much.
Unappreciative dumb asses!
This is just Samsung putting their astroturf army to work. Much cheaper to pay $5 million to get bad publicity for Apple than to compete on the merits of your products.
Misunderstood I just a simple great gesture from Apple …
For those unhappy people…a simple quote :
Is possible to fail in many ways ….while to succeed is possible only in one way. Aristotle
1. U2 in one’s data stream as a forced download is spam. This may have legal implications.
2. Not everybody likes U2. They simply don’t care and Apple wasted their time.
3. Apple PR and/or marketing research as well as Apple execs failed on preparations.
4. Some people are on limited datastreams. My neighbors a mile away have no choice but to be on those limits. (one pair of neighbors dont use iTunes anyway for any reason)
5. The only free promotion that Apple offered was U2. With as many technophiles watching the iPhone / iWatch event, Apple didnt show any creativity in showing off non-pop music.
6. Not related to the spam issue, but Apple also didn’t alleviate the iTunes app congestion.
You’d have a point on 1,2, and 4 if it was automatically downloaded or streamed to your device. It’s not…you have to choose to do either of those.
Thanks for the correction.
I retract the spam comments.
Point #2 still has some trivial validity.
The whole thing would be moot if Apple just said — Apple announces free download for your choice from a whole bunch of selected songs including U2’s newest album, click here for the 10 songs you want.
This is the way iTunes has worked in the past, week after week.
Point 1 is correct. People with auto download switched on did have it automatically download. I had auto download switched off so I had to manually start the download.
I don’t know what this clown’s talking about. His anger – if it’s real anger and not bogus anger for the sake of page views – is misplaced. The album is stored on the cloud and not in our iPhones. It will only be downloaded once we choose to, so the permission marketing aspect of this promo wasn’t neglected.
I’m waiting for the IRS to claim that Apple gave everyone something of value (about $15) and now claim it as income and they want income tax for it.
“We maintain this is overblown.”
Not overblown. People don’t like having things shoved down their throats simply because someone else thinks it is good for them. Whether a free U2 album, health care, religion, or a package of pretzels, if you don’t like that particular item, then having it rammed up your yazoo is a fscking pain in the yazoo!