Thank you Steve for the U2 iPod
U2 fans have a special love for Steve Jobs. It was October 26, 2004 when Apple 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 featured a gorgeous black enclosure with a red Click Wheel and custom engraving of U2 band member signatures.
“U2 and Apple has a special relationship where they redefined 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 Bono. iPod and iTunes look like the future to me and it’s good for everybody involved in music,” said 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 wanted to make some innovative products together, and we hope U2 fans will love having their very own special edition iPod.”
The new U2 iPod was introduced as the band prepared 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 included:
• 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 where able to purchase and download The Complete U2 with just one click on the iTunes Music Store in the US and Europe.