SAN JOSE, California—October 26, 2004—Apple® today introduced the iPod® U2 Special Edition as part of a partnership between Apple, U2 and Universal Music Group (UMG) to create innovative new products together for the new digital music era. The new U2 iPod holds up to 5,000 songs and features a gorgeous black enclosure with a red Click Wheel and custom engraving of U2 band member signatures.

“U2 and Apple have a special relationship where they can start to redefine the music business,” said Jimmy Iovine, Chairman of UMG’s Interscope Geffen A&M Records. “The iPod along with iTunes is the most complete thought that we’ve seen in music in a very long time.”

“We want our audience to have a more intimate online relationship with the band, and Apple can help us do that,” said U2 lead singer Bono. “With iPod and iTunes, Apple has created a crossroads of art, commerce and technology which feels good for both musicians and fans.”

“iPod and iTunes look like the future to me and it’s good for everybody involved in music,” said U2 guitarist, The Edge.

“U2 is one of the greatest bands in the world and we are floored to be working with them,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We just want to make some innovative products together, and we hope U2 fans will love having their very own special edition iPod.”

The new U2 iPod is being introduced as the band prepares to release their new album “How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb” in late November. In addition to the new U2 iPod, the results of the U2, Apple and UMG partnership include:

• U2’s single “Vertigo” from their upcoming album “How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb” is available exclusively in the US through the iTunes® Music Store;

• Apple and U2 have created a breakthrough television ad featuring U2 band members performing their new single “Vertigo.” The ad is a cross between Apple’s award-winning “Silhouette” ads and a music video; and

• Apple has created the online music industry’s first-of-its-kind “Digital Box Set.” The first digital box set, “The Complete U2,” will contain over 400 tracks including all of the band’s albums and over 25 rare and unreleased tracks. U2 fans will be able to purchase and download The Complete U2 with just one click on the iTunes Music Store in the US and Europe beginning in late November for just $149 (US).

The U2 iPod features Apple’s patent pending Click Wheel, up to 12 hours battery life and Shuffle Songs, a command in the main menu that gives users instant access to one of the most exciting new ways to listen to their music library. All iPods work with Apple’s iTunes, providing music fans with the best digital jukebox on either a Mac® or Windows computer and access to the iTunes Music Store, the number one digital music service in the world. U2 iPod customers will receive a coupon for $50 off the purchase of “The Complete U2” available exclusively on the iTunes Music Store.*

iPod features Apple’s patent pending Auto-Sync technology that automatically downloads an entire digital music library onto iPod and keeps it up-to-date whenever it is plugged into a Mac or Windows computer using FireWire® or USB. Users can transfer two songs per second from their Mac or Windows computer and can conveniently charge iPod with either the included FireWire or USB cable.

Pricing & Availability The new 20GB iPod U2 Special Edition is expected to be available mid-November for a suggested retail price of $349 (US) through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. The U2 iPod includes earbud headphones, 1.2m 30-pin to FireWire cable, a 1.2m 30-pin to USB cable, and a CD with iTunes 4.7 for Mac and Windows computers. Optional accessories include the iPod Dock for $39 (US) and in-ear headphones for $39 (US).

Why the hell are U2 selling themselves out with this marketing shit?

itunes, apple and ipod are the wave of the future in music. u2 are just staying on top of things (as usual).

SassyBritches said:

Look at those quotes! Its not about staying on a wave. Its about money.

Besides, If U2 wanted to stay cutting edge, they would have signed with a player that already plays video as well as audio.

Hurray for U2 doing what we all want Prince to do.

And nay sayers bla-bla-ing about selling out really miss the mark. U2 does not have to do ANYTHING for money. They are a band that tries to accomodate their fans. Nothing wrong with that.

I just ordered one !!

Not for me though !

fucking cool!

abierman said:

You and your nasty words...
AMAZINGLY cool, I'd say.

Fhunkin said:

Awww, how long til yours is fixed?

GooeyTheHamster said:

2 weeks !!

Okay, maybe somebody can help this computer-illiterate (me):

iTunes has opened its music-store in the Netherlands, finally we can download songs legally for 99 euro-cents. So I did that yesterday (U2's 'Vertigo') and all seemed to work fine. I stored the song in my iTunes-library.
Here is the problem: I wanted to upload the song on my iPod, using drag & drop, but for some reason iTunes wouldn't let me!
Does somebody know what I am doing wrong? I'm just inexperienced with these types of things!

Thanx!
[Edited 10/28/04 1:15am]

abierman said:

You have to download the I-Tunes 4.7 Up-date on your computer.
I'll send you the link !

Fhunkin said:

I know, and I have done that. This was all after installing 4.7.....

abierman said:

Heb je gechecked of 'Vertigo' ook in je bibliotheek zit ?
Van daaruit zou het moeten lukken !

Fhunkin said:

ja, maar wilde echt niet, zal het vanavond nog eens proberen.....zit nu op werk!