Hardware is based on a fifth-generation video iPod and the 30GB disk is said to hold over 75 hours of video or 7,500 songs or 25,000 photos. The $64,000 question, though, goes unanswered - is the supplied headset black or white? Our money's on white.
Purchasers are having to pay a premium for the special-edition look and feel, though - £20/$30. But, in recompense, they can download a "free, 30-minute exclusive U2 video" from the iTunes Music Store.
So, why has Apple come out with the U2 iPod? We guess because it reckons it can sell it by the container load - and at a premium. But check out Apple UK's press release below if you fancy trying to discover more.
Naturally we'd be keen to hear your thoughts over in the HEXUS.community. So join us there if you think that Apple's got the edge now. Or if you've got a bono to pick with Apple about iPods. But if you're still mullen things over, you could just read what others are saying. (Sorry Adam, we couldn't work up anything even vaguely witty to say about your name - but doubtless, the HEXUS.community members can!)
HEXUS.links
HEXUS.community - discussion thread about this article
Apple UK - U2 iPod home
Apple U.K. - Press Release - 6th
June 2006
Apple Introduces the New U2 iPod
CUPERTINO, California—June 6, 2006—Apple® today introduced the new iPod® U2 Special Edition as part of a continued partnership between Apple, U2 and Universal Music Group (UMG). The new U2 iPod is based on the fifth generation 30GB iPod and holds up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 photos or over 75 hours of video and features a distinctive, all-black stainless steel enclosure, red Click Wheel and custom engraving of U2 band member signatures. U2 iPod customers will also receive 30 minutes of exclusive U2 video downloadable from the iTunes® Music Store. The new U2 iPod is available immediately for £239 (inc. VAT).
“We’re thrilled to continue working with one of the greatest bands in the world to bring U2 fans a special edition of the world’s best digital music player,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of worldwide iPod Product Marketing. “With its distinctive new design, including an all-black stainless steel enclosure, the new U2 iPod is sure to be a hit.”
Featuring seamless integration with the iTunes Music Store and the iTunes digital music jukebox, the new U2 iPod features Apple’s patent pending Auto-Sync technology that automatically downloads digital music, podcasts, photos, audiobooks, home movies, and music videos onto the iPod and keeps them up-to-date whenever the iPod is plugged into a Mac® or Windows computer using USB 2.0. The new U2 iPod features up to 14 hours of battery life for music playback.*
* Battery life and number of charge cycles vary by use and settings. See http://www.apple.com/uk/batteries for more information. Music capacity is based on four minutes per song and 128-Kbps AAC encoding; video capacity is based on H.264 750-Kbps combined with 128-Kbps audio; and photo capacity is based on iPod-viewable photos transferred from iTunes.
Pricing & Availability
The new 30GB U2 iPod is available immediately for a suggested retail price of £239 (inc. VAT) through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com/ukstore), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorised Resellers. The new U2 iPod includes earbud headphones, USB 2.0 cable, a case and dock insert. U2 iPod customers will also receive a coupon for 30 minutes of exclusive U2 video content downloadable from the iTunes Music Store.**
** Not available in all countries.
iPod requires a Mac with a USB 2.0 port and Mac OS® X version 10.3.9 or later and iTunes 6; or a Windows PC with a USB 2.0 port and Windows 2000, XP Home or Professional (SP2) and iTunes 6.
For information on any Apple product, or details of their nearest Apple Authorised Reseller, customers should consult Apple's U.K. web site
(http://www.apple.com/uk). Customers in the U.K. can buy direct from Apple through the Apple Store (http://www.apple.com/ukstore or 0800 039 1010).
About Apple
Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning desktop and notebook computers, OS X operating system, and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital music revolution with its iPod portable music players and iTunes online music store.
About U2
U2 formed in their native Dublin in 1978 and remains intact with its four original band members: Bono, Larry Mullen, Adam Clayton and The Edge. The band has sold more than 130 million records worldwide in an extraordinary career that has firmly established them as one of the world’s greatest rock ‘n’ roll bands. Along the way, U2 has earned a phenomenal 22 Grammy Awards, eight of which were for their last studio album, 2004’s “How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb,” including their second award for “Album of the Year.”
As popular for their legendary live shows as for their groundbreaking albums, U2 continue to innovate and inspire while packing football stadiums and sweaty clubs around the world. Their recordbreaking Vertigo 2005-2006 Tour played to more than three million fans in 25 countries worldwide.
Universal Music Group is the world’s largest music company with wholly owned record operations or licensees in 75 countries. Its businesses also include Universal Music Publishing Group, one of the industry’s largest global music publishing operations. Universal Music Group is a unit of Vivendi, a global media and communications company.
Apple Introduces the New U2 iPod
CUPERTINO, California—June 6, 2006—Apple® today introduced the new iPod® U2 Special Edition as part of a continued partnership between Apple, U2 and Universal Music Group (UMG). The new U2 iPod is based on the fifth generation 30GB iPod and holds up to 7,500 songs, 25,000 photos or over 75 hours of video and features a distinctive, all-black stainless steel enclosure, red Click Wheel and custom engraving of U2 band member signatures. U2 iPod customers will also receive 30 minutes of exclusive U2 video downloadable from the iTunes® Music Store. The new U2 iPod is available immediately for £239 (inc. VAT).
“We’re thrilled to continue working with one of the greatest bands in the world to bring U2 fans a special edition of the world’s best digital music player,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of worldwide iPod Product Marketing. “With its distinctive new design, including an all-black stainless steel enclosure, the new U2 iPod is sure to be a hit.”
Featuring seamless integration with the iTunes Music Store and the iTunes digital music jukebox, the new U2 iPod features Apple’s patent pending Auto-Sync technology that automatically downloads digital music, podcasts, photos, audiobooks, home movies, and music videos onto the iPod and keeps them up-to-date whenever the iPod is plugged into a Mac® or Windows computer using USB 2.0. The new U2 iPod features up to 14 hours of battery life for music playback.*
* Battery life and number of charge cycles vary by use and settings. See http://www.apple.com/uk/batteries for more information. Music capacity is based on four minutes per song and 128-Kbps AAC encoding; video capacity is based on H.264 750-Kbps combined with 128-Kbps audio; and photo capacity is based on iPod-viewable photos transferred from iTunes.
Pricing & Availability
The new 30GB U2 iPod is available immediately for a suggested retail price of £239 (inc. VAT) through the Apple Store® (www.apple.com/ukstore), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorised Resellers. The new U2 iPod includes earbud headphones, USB 2.0 cable, a case and dock insert. U2 iPod customers will also receive a coupon for 30 minutes of exclusive U2 video content downloadable from the iTunes Music Store.**
** Not available in all countries.
iPod requires a Mac with a USB 2.0 port and Mac OS® X version 10.3.9 or later and iTunes 6; or a Windows PC with a USB 2.0 port and Windows 2000, XP Home or Professional (SP2) and iTunes 6.
For information on any Apple product, or details of their nearest Apple Authorised Reseller, customers should consult Apple's U.K. web site
(http://www.apple.com/uk). Customers in the U.K. can buy direct from Apple through the Apple Store (http://www.apple.com/ukstore or 0800 039 1010).
About Apple
Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning desktop and notebook computers, OS X operating system, and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital music revolution with its iPod portable music players and iTunes online music store.
About U2
U2 formed in their native Dublin in 1978 and remains intact with its four original band members: Bono, Larry Mullen, Adam Clayton and The Edge. The band has sold more than 130 million records worldwide in an extraordinary career that has firmly established them as one of the world’s greatest rock ‘n’ roll bands. Along the way, U2 has earned a phenomenal 22 Grammy Awards, eight of which were for their last studio album, 2004’s “How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb,” including their second award for “Album of the Year.”
As popular for their legendary live shows as for their groundbreaking albums, U2 continue to innovate and inspire while packing football stadiums and sweaty clubs around the world. Their recordbreaking Vertigo 2005-2006 Tour played to more than three million fans in 25 countries worldwide.
Universal Music Group is the world’s largest music company with wholly owned record operations or licensees in 75 countries. Its businesses also include Universal Music Publishing Group, one of the industry’s largest global music publishing operations. Universal Music Group is a unit of Vivendi, a global media and communications company.
