September 18th
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News broke earlier today that U2 is working on a top-secret project with Apple to develop a new digital music format that will, in effect, save the music industry.

A few additional details have emerged, giving a rough sketch of what we can expect, and when.


According to a recent interview in the international version of Time, Bono says the team is working on something that will be "very exciting for the music business."

The singer described the new technology as "an audiovisual interactive format for music that can’t be pirated and will bring back album artwork in the most powerful way, where you can play with the lyrics and get behind the songs when you're sitting on the subway with your iPad or on these big flat screens. You can see photography like you’ve never seen it before."

According to the singer, another goal of the forthcoming project is to assist the artists unable to recoup finances from massive tours, the same way the U2 has been able to in the past. "Songwriters aren't touring people," Bono explained. "Cole Porter wouldn't have sold T-shirts. Cole Porter wasn't coming to a stadium near you."

The as-yet-unnamed new platform is "about 18 months away," says Bono, which would place its release right around the same time as U2's next album. "I think Songs of Experience will be released in a new format."

A new anti-piracy platform would a real game changer in the music industry-- or is it a case of too little too late? Regardless, I can't wait to see the end result.

Identity said:

A new anti-piracy platform would a real game changer in the music industry-- or is it a case of too little too late? Regardless, I can't wait to see the end result.

I don't believe a word of it.

Why? Does the amalgamation of visual experiences and interactive audio sounds too far fetched?

Identity said:

Why? Does the amalgamation of visual experiences and interactive audio sounds too far fetched?

No....any sound format can be "pirated".

What about Spotify? Isn't that a pirate-proof service?

Identity said:

What about Spotify? Isn't that a pirate-proof service?

Not if u know what u are doing.

They already pirate ALBUM streams, thats why i keep saying labels are DUMB for streaming albums weeks before release DUMB just plain dumb, the new Kravitz album is streaming fully and its been pirated over 10 days ago etc.... I like the idea of bringing album art back and all that stuff and this was something that a few artists (Bon Jovi) was one of them who made a FREE app to go with the album and you used it as a lens over the actual cd cover and you opened the artwork. The cool thing here is that Julian Lennon did alot of photography for the new u2 record and people dont realize this Lennon's new interacitve app for his latest album is cutting edge and where ALL artists need to go!

Identity said:

Why? Does the amalgamation of visual experiences and interactive audio sounds too far fetched?

"You can see photography like you’ve never seen it before."

Yes.

You can pirate any audio format. Just record the audio output and convert that to mp3, flac etc. It's about as hard as making a cup of coffee.

Apparently this is a format that's bundled with images, but seems a bit superfluous to me.

novabrkr said:

You can pirate any audio format. Just record the audio output and convert that to mp3, flac etc. It's about as hard as making a cup of coffee.

Apparently this is a format that's bundled with images, but seems a bit superfluous to me.

Exactly........