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U2 iPod: Any Color You Want, As Long As It's Black

Posted by timothy on from the fascists dept.

dave writes "Forbes is carrying the story that U2 and Apple will be releasing a custom black iPod that comes preloaded with the band's new album as well as portions of the band's 25-year back catalog. The custom iPod will be made available the same week as the new album, which is slated for release in the U.S. November 23rd. The article also talks about the larger deal which included the advertisement for iPod/iTunes and exclusive rights for iTunes to sell the album online for the first few weeks of release." skyshock21 adds a link to this article in Revolution Magazine.

8 of 489 comments (clear)

  1. Do exclusive marketing things work? by indros13 · · Score: 5, Interesting
    I think it's a neat kind of promo, but what about the black-loving non-U2 fan? Will the price be higher?

    Also, any word on how successful these kinds of exclusive marketing deals are? I've noticed that Best Buy does a number of these exclusive marketing tricks. Any evidence to suggest that they actually work? (i.e. substantially boost sales, brand loyalty, etc)

    --
    Under capitalism man exploits man. Under communism it's the other way around.
  2. Downhill battle... by inkdesign · · Score: 5, Interesting

    "U2 and Interscope will split a standard royalty for each song downloaded (about $0.60 per download), plus an upfront licensing fee."

    Good to know SOMEBODY is getting something approaching a (more) fair cut of online royalties...

    1. Re:Downhill battle... by pknoll · · Score: 5, Interesting
      Good to know SOMEBODY is getting something approaching a (more) fair cut of online royalties...

      This is what it will take, I think. A big-name band like U2 or Pearl Jam, maybe REM, saying "screw the system, we're going straight to digital".

      Once it's shown that the electronic distribution model can work - and it may take a big name to try it and see - others will follow suit.

  3. Another marketing tactic by fembots · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Are we seeing a new marketing tactic in the horizon?

    Eg Buy a DVD Recorder with LOTR extendeder version preloaded? Or TiVo with 10 seasons of Friends?

    Oh! It'll be fun if iPod's preloading Beatles songs...

    --
    Rock that crushes, Paper & Scissors that don't matter.
  4. On a semi related note... by IronMagnus · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Instead of mac apple and beatles apple fighting.. why don't they team up and sell a version of the white ipod with an apple graphic on the wheel thats pre-loaded with the beatles' white album.. the marketing writes itself.

  5. Beatles Lawsuit? by the+pickle · · Score: 5, Interesting

    As noted yesterday on As the Apple Turns, this could have some ramifications for the lawsuit, as Apple Computer is going to be shipping physical media with pre-recorded songs on it. The argument up to this point was that Apple Computer had never shipped any physical media containing songs (Barenaked Ladies music videos on the Mac OS 8+ system CDs notwithstanding), and thus wasn't in violation of the previous agreement with Apple Records.

    I'm curious to see what the Beatles'/Apple Records' lawyers will say about this.

    p

    --
    In Korea, long hair is for old people!
  6. backup the songs? by MCS · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Lets say I bought this new ipod, and I had to format it for some reason.

    Now will I be able to get the preshipped songs back on it? Will I be able to transfer them off the Ipod (or install CD) to make a copy for my (fair) use?

  7. Re:Bono's a moron by Edgetho007 · · Score: 5, Interesting

    Actually I think the new album is their fourteenth.