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

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.

102 of 489 comments (clear)

  1. Black Ipod? by SoTuA · · Score: 5, Funny
    Yay! No more white "mug me please" apparel!

    It comes with U2 preloaded? uughhhhh...

    1. Re:Black Ipod? by Trigun · · Score: 5, Funny

      Is it bigger than the white iPod?
      That's what I hear, anyway.

    2. Re:Black Ipod? by eobanb · · Score: 4, Funny

      The most expensive U2 album yet.

      --

      Take off every sig. For great justice.

    3. Re:Black Ipod? by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

      more importantly, it's how you use it.

    4. Re:Black Ipod? by The+Clockwork+Troll · · Score: 4, Funny

      It's not if you count the cost of therapy incurred after listening to 1993's Zooropa

      --

      There are no karma whores, only moderation johns
    5. Re:Black Ipod? by Ionizer7 · · Score: 5, Funny

      It is the same size, but just like black desktop computers, it is ALOT faster.

  2. This will be handy by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    For pirating U2's next CD before it's official release!

    1. Re:This will be handy by decepty · · Score: 2, Informative

      Check the download section @ iPodLounge and you'll find a number of utilities that allow you to copy tracks FROM your iPod TO your PC / Mac / Fancy Abacus. You could also use a utility like BurnOut (sorry, can't find a link, but I believe it is also @ iPodLounge) and burn CDs directly from your iPod.

      --
      Be careful! Bears shouldn't consume large furry dogs.
    2. Re:This will be handy by Techie2000 · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Actually it didn't show-up on P2P. Vertigo was released to radio at the end of September, and to iTunes at the same time. The stolen CD was recovered.

      --
      "And I'm right. I'm always right, but in this case I'm just a bit more right than I usually am." - Linus Torvalds
  3. Colors by DoorFrame · · Score: 5, Funny

    I see a red ipod and I want it painted black...

    1. Re:Colors by Goonie · · Score: 5, Funny

      But I still haven't found what I'm looking for...

      --

      Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from a rigged demo
      --Andy Finkel (J. Klass?)
    2. Re:Colors by Mr.+Bad+Example · · Score: 4, Funny
      Threads like this always remind me of my favorite fake letter to the editor in National Lampoon (back when it was still funny):

      Dear Sirs:

      Where the fuck are we now?

      Sincerely,
      Bono and The Edge
      Where the streets have no name
  4. if only.. by Artie_Effim · · Score: 2, Insightful

    gawd, this would rock, that is if U2 didn't suck after they made Johsua Tree.

    1. Re:if only.. by qweqazfoo · · Score: 3, Insightful

      You can have my Achtung Baby album when you pry it from my cold, dead hands!

    2. Re:if only.. by antifoidulus · · Score: 2, Funny

      Obligatory Onion headline: "Starving Africans make desperate plea to Bono"

  5. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 5, Funny

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  6. Comment removed by account_deleted · · Score: 3, Insightful

    Comment removed based on user account deletion

  7. Black now, full spectrum next by slimak · · Score: 4, Interesting

    Does this mean that we may be able to get serveral colors in the near future? Blue iPod? OR, will other Apple products ship in black? Something about a shiny black iBook seems cool to me.

    1. Re:Black now, full spectrum next by tanguyr · · Score: 3, Funny

      Something about a shiny black iBook seems cool to me.
      paint. not just for sniffing anymore.

      --
      #!/usr/bin/english
    2. Re:Black now, full spectrum next by mikeylebeau · · Score: 4, Informative

      If you want a shiny black iBook now, just check out ColorWare, they'll do it for you.

    3. Re:Black now, full spectrum next by Lord_Dweomer · · Score: 2, Interesting
      I remember a story a while back about an interesting patent Apple had filed (if someone wants to do the legwork, by all means...) a patent for a device that lets you change the color through LEDs or something like that. This would in theory let you change the color of the case of all their computers and the iPod, and would be a much better seller than just one color.

      --
      Buy Steampunk Clothing Online!
    4. Re:Black now, full spectrum next by poptones · · Score: 2, Funny
      ColorWare's Business Services are designed for company's that wish to have their products in color.

      Maybe if enough people buy these things the proprietors will be able to afford themselves an edumucation...

  8. 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.
    1. Re:Do exclusive marketing things work? by Waffle+Iron · · Score: 5, Funny
      I think it's a neat kind of promo, but what about the black-loving non-U2 fan? Will the price be higher?

      Probably only about $3.49 higher.

    2. Re:Do exclusive marketing things work? by meme_police · · Score: 4, Insightful

      Unless you know the price of the U2 Edition perhaps you should do #3? What part of "Will the price be higher?" do you not understand?

      --

      The meme police, They live inside of my head

    3. Re:Do exclusive marketing things work? by Lord_Dweomer · · Score: 2, Insightful
      Well, I don't have actual numbers to back me up, but as I work in marketing/advertising, perhaps I can explain how this is valuable beyond the sales or loyalty.

      You see, what this does is give Apple and U2 an excuse to get a LOT of free press. Thats one of the primary reasons you see so many of these. It gets them in the headlines, which in turn might boost sales or build brand loyalty.

      The real measure would be to calculate the cost of how much free advertising they're going to get from this, which I imagine would be a pretty substantial figure.

      --
      Buy Steampunk Clothing Online!
  9. I refuse to call it black by whoda · · Score: 5, Funny

    So, where can I pick up one of these African-American IPods anyway?

    1. Re:I refuse to call it black by WormholeFiend · · Score: 3, Funny

      where the streets have no name?

      [/sorry]

    2. Re:I refuse to call it black by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

      I believe the term is 'ipod of color', you insensitive clod!

    3. Re:I refuse to call it black by pangloss · · Score: 4, Funny

      "The Irish are the blacks of Europe; Dubliners are the blacks of Ireland; and Northside Dubliners are the blacks of Dublin...so say it once and say it loud: I'm black and I'm proud!"

    4. Re:I refuse to call it black by commodoresloat · · Score: 5, Funny

      you mean iRish.

  10. It had to be said... by afish40 · · Score: 5, Funny

    "It's like, how much more black could this be? and the answer is... none. None more black."

    --
    Thanks a million. Push Start to replay.
    1. Re:It had to be said... by JWW · · Score: 3, Funny

      ... but can you turn the volume up to 11?

    2. Re:It had to be said... by One+Louder · · Score: 2, Funny
      .. but can you turn the volume up to 11?
      I don't get it.
  11. Any color you want by mikeylebeau · · Score: 4, Informative

    You could also get your iPod colored however you want from ColorWare.. or buy one pre-colored from them direct. Looks pretty cool.

  12. This thing is really cool. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    The black letters on black background display might be a little tough to read, but it might count as one of the first real monochrome (mono = one) displays. I like the black play/FF/etc arrows printed on the black case, too.

    1. Re:This thing is really cool. by HTH+NE1 · · Score: 2, Funny

      Personally, I think the black iPod should come preloaded the complete musical library of Disaster Area instead.

      --
      Oh, say does that Star-Spangled Banner entwine / The myrtle of Venus with Bacchus's vine?
  13. 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.

    2. Re:Downhill battle... by spuke4000 · · Score: 2, Informative

      Check out this link, as posted on slashdot a couple of days ago. The bottom of the article has a break down of where the money for a $16 album goes. $1.60 goes to the artist, which when you look at the other costs seems like a 'fair cut' to me.

      --
      This post cannot be rebroadcast without the express written constent of Major League Baseball.
    3. Re:Downhill battle... by clifyt · · Score: 3, Insightful

      Why is that?

      Its the label taking the risk, not the artist.

      Remember the key word is ARTist. They make art. Art is not something that should be liked by all and viewed at as a consumable, but to be relevant it must be liked by a certain percentage of the population.

      A true artist would simply give the art away as long as he could afford to sustain himself.

      Instead, the artist goes to a label that knows 9 times out of 10 the artist is not going to be a profit center for it, and signs them anyways. These labels bank on the law of averages that says that if they cover enough bases, they will eventually hit gold (and hopefully platinum).

      Past that, guys like me like to get paid. I work in the back grounds for artists and someone has to pay me and folks like me. I've done it both ways -- I've been paid from the artist and I've been paid by the label. Wanna know who's screwed me less? The labels. When working on points (or mere fractions of points in my case), the label will lay out all the figures and statistics. The artist will always claim they haven't sold enough to pay any of us, even right after bragging to the girl next to you that they sold billions.

      If you actually had a clue as to what it took to put out a commercial grade album these days, you wouldn't be so harsh on the labels. Then again, if I was recording on my own again (i.e., not in a backing capacity), I too would be bitching about not getting paid enough...thats the nature of capitalism...we all think we deserve more.

    4. Re:Downhill battle... by Coryoth · · Score: 2, 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...


      Any artist that signs on with Magnatune gets a guaranteed 50% of any sale. That's 50% straight to the artist, not splitting a ~60% royalty with Apple.

      They're getting reasonable numbers of artists signing on too. Magnatune really is the best online music seller I've encountered.

      Jedidiah.

  14. 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...

    1. Re:Another marketing tactic by Proteus · · Score: 2, Interesting
      the Beatles won't let their music out in a digital format
      Funny, I own several Beatles albums on CD. Last I checked, CDDA stands for Compact Disc Digital Audio and is, as the name implies, a digital format.

      Or perhaps you meant that the Beatles won't allow their songs to be sold in a compressed, lossy, digital format?
      --
      We may not imagine how our lives could be more frustrating and complex—but Congress can. – Cullen Hightower
    2. Re:Another marketing tactic by RazzleFrog · · Score: 3, Informative

      Michael Jackson owns the publishing rights to most of the Beatles' library not the actual recordings. He can control (or 50% control with Sony now) who covers the songs and who uses them in ads but he can't control the recordings. For those who don't know there are two copyrights on songs - the recording and the music itself.

    3. Re:Another marketing tactic by tji · · Score: 4, Insightful

      > Or TiVo with 10 seasons of Friends?

      That's a good idea.. I recently got an HD Tivo, and it had 250GB of empty space that could have been used for sample content.

      It could allow for a better user experience, otherwise you have to wait several days for the Tivo to build up a list of programs captured. It could also kickstart the Tivo learning process by providing many programs for the user to rate. If they threw in a couple of more valuable items, like pay-per-view movies, or HBO movies, it would be even more effective.

      They could probably even get companies to pay them for the privilege.. I'm sure the networks would love the opportunity to pre-load the pilot episode of their programs on Tivos to make it easy for people to greatly increase the chance that viewers give it a chance.

      Even a couple sample HDTV programs would be nice to show off the 1080i video and Dolby Digital 5.1 audio capabilities of the unit..

    4. Re:Another marketing tactic by nolife · · Score: 2, Insightful

      Well unless they are playing live right in front of you with absolutely no electronics at all like microphones, guitar amps, keyboards etc.. then everything is considered lossy by your definition. The microphones have specific frequency characteristics as does all of the electronics upto and including the speaker and the room you are in, are you considering that lossy as well?
      So what does an electric guitar sound like without an amplifier or electronics? I'd bet you'd have to hold it up to your ears to hear it over the drums.

      Yes, digital might not be able to capture the perfect analog wave form but the conversion from analog to digital (wherever it may occur in the mixing or production process) is not the weak link or anywhere near the most degrading portion in the whole process of getting it to your ears in your house on your equipment.
      10 years ago and before I'd say the home users equipment or the fact that the orginal analog recording of the musical piece was the limiting factor in the chain. Sorry but you can not make the Jimmy Hendrix studio recordings that are left any better then what they currently are without bring him back from the dead. In more recent times I'd say the mixing process where "louder and higher levels" seem to be the trend although they causing clipping or need extensive dynamic compression to "fit" or again, the home stereo is the limiting factor. None of theses can be blamed on the the analog to digital conversion process.

      I'd like to know how to make perfect analog copy that you reference ;)

      --
      Bad boys rape our young girls but Violet gives willingly.
  15. Re:Finally! by LemonFire · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I'm just waiting for iPods to come out with album covers on them as well (like cell phone covers). I'm sure it will happen.

    -- Press the "any" key to play this SIG

  16. A $300 rock by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    "Wow a $300 rock album"

    and when the battery dies, it becomes a $300 rock.

  17. Note to p2p users by dougnaka · · Score: 4, Funny
    Please note that you are NOT allowed to distribute this file online during its iTunes exclusive rights phase.

    --
    My Linux Command of the Day site : LCOD
  18. 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.

  19. 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

    1. Re:Beatles Lawsuit? by djh101010 · · Score: 5, Insightful

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

      Well, Apple Computers has continued to do what they agreed not to do, time after time, and continues to give money to Apple Corps, LTD because of it. All I can figure is that it's considered a "cost of doing business" and is factored in already. I can't personally see why U2 of all groups would be what they'd do this with - why not work _with_ The Beatles and release an iPod with the Beatles catalog on it? Now _that_, I would buy, and pay a premium for even (since I own the whole thing in several formats already). Hell, the Beatles collectors would probably buy a ton of these, leave 'em unopened, and so on. What better than a sale with no support costs post-sale? Seems like a natural to me...

    2. Re:Beatles Lawsuit? by iphayd · · Score: 3, Interesting

      Actually, that is completely false. When iTunes first came out, Apple shipped all consumer Macs with a variety of songs in a "iTunes Sampler". This was prior to the iTMS.

  20. How Much of the Catalog? by Mad+Martigan · · Score: 5, Insightful

    black iPod that comes preloaded with the band's new album as well as portions of the band's 25-year back catalo

    Sure, it's cool that the iPod is black (although, I can't seem to find any pictures of said iPod. I'd love to see what it looks like), but I think the real question is how much of the band's catalog is preloaded onto it? If you are a U2 fan, and the device contains, say, even 50% of the catalog, that's pretty significant value added. Of course, if you're a U2 fan, you probably own those albums anyway, so maybe not.

    Still, I guess it's a nice marketing gimmick by Apple. Exclusive rights to seel the music (online, and for a little while at least), some ads out of a pretty popular group, and a million trillion news outlets covering the story and producing even more press. Kudos, Apple.

  21. Hidden Message in name by FerretFrottage · · Score: 3, Funny

    in reverse....dopi2U

    --
    "Look Lois, the two symbols of the Republican Party: an elephant, and a fat white guy who is threatened by change."
  22. Bono's a moron by goldspider · · Score: 5, Funny

    Ya'll see that commercial with him pimping the iPod? He counts "Uno... Dos... Tres... Catorce" in Spanish. Now I may not be the most educated man on Earth, but I know sure as shit that fourteen does NOT come after three!!

    --
    "Ask not what your country can do for you." --John F. Kennedy
    1. Re:Bono's a moron by glenrm · · Score: 4, Funny

      Maybe he is trying to be cool, I don't know I was never good at cool...

    2. Re:Bono's a moron by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Funny

      No, it does.

    3. Re:Bono's a moron by fr2asbury · · Score: 4, Funny

      Well it sure as heck doesn't come BEFORE three. ;-)

    4. Re:Bono's a moron by Lord_Slepnir · · Score: 2, Funny

      He works for the music industry. Therefore, his count is accurate if he was counting 6gb iPods for the first three, and a 60gb iPod for the fourth.

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

      Actually I think the new album is their fourteenth.

    6. Re:Bono's a moron by karnal · · Score: 2, Insightful

      For the last time, if you don't like something, that doesn't automatically mean you can sway others to instantly not like it because of your logic.

      Just say "It sucks" and move on. Better yet, don't post anything at all -- because most don't care.

      But of course, then I wouldn't get to vent to people like yourself.

      --
      Karnal
    7. Re:Bono's a moron by J.+T.+MacLeod · · Score: 2, Funny

      Uh...didja ever think maybe, just maybe, he was taking what's called "artistic licence?"

      "It should be revoked!"

    8. Re:Bono's a moron by angle_slam · · Score: 2, Interesting

      The Offspring were trying to rhyme tres with seis. I'm pretty sure they know how to count. Both U2 and the Offspring were mocking those songs that count to 4 at the beginning.

  23. U2 References by Eberlin · · Score: 4, Funny

    My Karma's bound to take a beating for this but oh well...

    This portable mp3 player seems nice and I've been shopping around for a while but I still haven't found what I'm looking for.

    Does it have additional GPS functionality in case I get lost where the streets have no name?

    They initially went with Rio but with the faulty hard-drives, the "Rio Lemon" just wasn't going to be popular.

    They were also pitched a deal with Microsoft but Bono didn't like the idea of Ballmer dancing to Mysterious Ways...and Hold Me Thrill Me Kiss Me Kill Me for that matter.

    I heard the new black ipod is nature-proof and can be used even in places of high elevation.

    Asked if the band actually uses the product, Bono admitted that both he and The Edge owned One...but they're not the same.

  24. An all-U2 iPod? by The+Ultimate+Fartkno · · Score: 2, Funny

    BOY! I sure want ONE of those! I wonder if the headphone WIRE is colored - if not, I'll have to PAINT IT BLACK. If I had a black iPod I'd sure take PRIDE in it. I wonder if it comes in 40 gig? Y'know, I got a white iPod once and it was a LEMON. Now that I think about it, I guess an iPod isn't really what I want. Great... I STILL HAVEN'T FOUND WHAT I'M LOOKING FOR.

    (Go ahead. Mod me down. I'll still laugh at it... WITH OR WITHOUT YOU!)

  25. I'm holding out by WormholeFiend · · Score: 5, Funny

    for a Type R iPod in green/purple chameleon paint, and a "spinner rim" scroll wheel.

    1. Re:I'm holding out by Rude+Turnip · · Score: 4, Funny

      I hear the sticker gives you a few extra gigs of storage space!

    2. Re:I'm holding out by Royoken · · Score: 2, Funny

      new MTV show, "Pimp my iPod"

  26. Re:Finally! by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 2, Funny

    It must be hard for Bono to decide whether he is a corporate rock stooge or an Apple-using rebel. Thank god U2's music hasn't been compromised.

  27. 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?

  28. Is There A More Ridiculous Sight by GiveWarAChance · · Score: 2, Funny

    ...Than Bono walking around the poorest parts of Africa in his $800 Gucci shades?

  29. Not really "custom" by Dirtside · · Score: 4, Insightful

    Maybe this is just nitpicking, but the word "custom" usually means "built to custom specifications for a particular customer." Customer. This is really just a special promotional edition iPod that is being mass-produced. Kind of misleading to call it "custom."

    --
    "Destroy science and religion. Science would re-emerge exactly the same; but not religion." - Penn Jillette, paraphrased
  30. iPod and music piracy... by Se7enLC · · Score: 2, Interesting

    Apple will soon be coming out with a 60gb iPod. Next logical step, right? Consider this: - 60GB is approximately 12,000 songs, if songs average 5MB each. - Assuming each song is purchased either from a CD or from the iTunes store, the average cost/track is around $1 Conclusions: A). Apple must believe that there is a sizable market of people who are likey to spend $12,000 on music that want a single device to hold it all or B). Apple realized that a hefty amount of their iPod market steals music and doesn't care, so long as they get profit from the stolen-music business in addition to the profits made from the music that still gets purchased from the iTunes store.

    1. Re:iPod and music piracy... by zaren · · Score: 2, Insightful

      How about...

      C) Apple realizes that a lot of people have large / enormous / OMGthatsalot cd collections that they'd like to carry around with them.

      Between my wife and I, we've purchased enough cds over the years to use up about 8 gig of space on an iPod (based on my standard compression choice). Our collection is really small compared to a lot of people I know (i.e. we've got maybe 100 cds between us).

      --
      Come to the University of Mars! Classes starting soon!
    2. Re:iPod and music piracy... by brainnolo · · Score: 2

      What about the market of people who rips his own regularly bought CDs and plays them on the iPod? Don't always try to blame a company. Also the iPod can be used to carry around any file!

    3. Re:iPod and music piracy... by rco3 · · Score: 4, Insightful

      ...or C) Apple has realized that there is a large segment of the population that wants to carry around mp3s, etc., of music that they've ALREADY BOUGHT and have THEMSELVES RIPPED so that they can listen to all of their OWN music wherever they go.

      That's still legal here in the US.

      When *I* rip songs, they average about 8 MB each. That's about 7500 songs, or (calculated by compression ratio) about 7.5 full discs per gig. Call it 10 discs to account for stuff that's not 72 minutes. Hmm, 600 CDs. I don't have that many, no - but I've got more than 200. And having more than 400 is not that hard to imagine.

      Maybe Apple aren't out to contribute to music piracy. Maybe they really want to help people to listen to THEIR music the way THEY want to. ...or maybe D) each song averages 110k each, and Apple thinks that people want to carry around enough music to occupy the rest of their lives, and in fact are planning a subcutaneous model for 2006?

      Myself, I'm betting on A) or C). Don't forget that the iPod can be used as storage, too...

      --

      Ce n'est pas un vrai mouvement de robot!
    4. Re:iPod and music piracy... by Graff · · Score: 2, Informative
      True, you can use the iPod for something other than music. That's a bit of a niche market at the moment, kind of a "well, I have an iPod anyway, I may as well use it for X" because if they wanted a real portable drive, they'd get one that didn't need special drivers just to copy files OFF it.

      The iPod is a regular, standard, mass-storage device. No drivers are needed, it's just plug it in and start using it as a hard drive. I use mine for just this task all the time and I've never needed any sort of special drivers.

      Actually, for the price, it is pretty competitive with equivalently-priced, comparably-sized portable hard drives on the market. Add that on to it's capabilities as a music device and other bells and whistles and you have a nice package.
  31. Earbuds by FiReaNGeL · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I wonder if the earbuds (and cord) are black too. White cord/earbuds used to be a sign of 'rob me, I got an expansive Ipod in my pocket'. Many friends of mine changed the (excellent) earbuds that came with their Ipod for Sony's one for this particular reason.

    As a side note, I just don't get the U2 sponsorship thing... what's next, pink Ipod with Britney preloaded?

  32. Obvious by blackmonday · · Score: 4, Funny

    I'm still waiting for the black and yellow sriped STRYPER edition. Hello?

  33. Re:U2 live by Kinryuu · · Score: 2, Informative

    I saw them circa 1980 . . . . U2 brought their full stadium sound gear.

    U2 only played in one stadium before 1983. And they certainly weren't using their own gear at that concert. It was National Stadium in Dublin. Their last show before they were signed by Island Records. They didn't play in any other stadium until the North America leg of the War tour. And I doubt any of their venues during that tour sat 4500. Next time you go to a rock and roll show, maybe you should expect the music to be a little loud, but don't blame U2.

  34. Very slick marketing... by Proteus · · Score: 4, Insightful
    Once again, Apple demonstrates that they've mastered the art of slick marketing. This new iPod should definately appeal to a few categories of people who don't already own an iPod:
    • Those who don't like the whiteness
    • Those who are fad-driven, since this will be the "latest cool thing"
    • Those pondering an iPod purchase, but who were undecided might see extra value in the preloaded songs, and be pushed to buy
    • U2 fan{boy|girl}s: they will buy because the black iPod screams "I'm a U2 fan".
    I expect that this promotion will be rather effective, and we'll see Apple running similar promos in the future. Also, the poster who predicted changeable iPod covers (a la cellphone faceplates) is, IMO, right on the money.
    --
    We may not imagine how our lives could be more frustrating and complex—but Congress can. – Cullen Hightower
    1. Re:Very slick marketing... by saintlupus · · Score: 2, Funny

      Those who don't like the whiteness

      I doubt that. Most of the U2 fans I know are incredibly white. Hell, you practically need special glasses to see them.

      --saint

  35. Vertigo has topped the iTunes download charts.... by acomj · · Score: 5, Insightful

    Forbes says "Vertigo has topped the iTunes download charts since its debut three weeks ago". The itunes chart..

    Is this the new metric on song popularity? It would seem to very accurate because you can track who would be willing to pay for a song rather than on an album by album basis..

  36. How will the 'preload' work? by luiss · · Score: 2, Interesting

    iPods are officially one-way when it comes to transfering music. You can put music in, but not take it out. So, how will you get those preloaded tunes off your iPod and into your iTunes so that they don't get wiped out the first time you sync your iPod?
    Maybe they come with a music store "gift certificate" or something? You buy the ipod, then logon to download your "preload" ?

  37. DRM on pre-loaded songs? by jhkoh · · Score: 2, Interesting

    The big question is: What kind of DRM will be on the pre-loaded songs? When you buy songs from the iTunes Music Store, the files are DRM'ed so that only your authorized copies of iTunes will play them. These pre-loaded files will have to playable on every installation of iTunes out there...?!?

  38. Re:Preload gets erased on first use? Huh? by Farrside · · Score: 2, Informative

    You can just use a file utility to view Invisible files... the iPod shows up as a hard drive to the rest of the (not iTunes) system, and the music is in an invisible folder. Copy it over to your hard drive and do whatcha like.

  39. OT: Earplugs by xsupergr0verx · · Score: 2, Insightful

    Earplugs rock. Particularly because it filters out other crap you hear (glass or chairs rattling in a venue, annoying guy next to you) and leaves you with a good headphone-esque volume in your ear during the show.

    I'm still rather young to speak like an old goat about this, but earplugs are the only way I listen to shows anymore. I got tired of the ear ringing directly after, and having everybody shout at you when talking to you for the next 2 days. I love music so much, that I want to protect my hearing and be able to enjoy it for the rest of my life.

    --

    Click here for a free picture of an iPod!
  40. Re:Preload gets erased on first use? Huh? by Stuart+Gibson · · Score: 2, Informative

    There's nothing to stop you adding music to an iPod if you choose not to synchronise it with your iTunes music library. You just need to drag the tracks you want to the iPod icon.

    I can see what you mean if someone plugs it in and asks it to synchronise without realising it will erase the current tracks.

    Stuart

    --
    It's all fun and games until a 200' robot dinosaur shows up and trashes Neo-Tokyo... Again
  41. I don't think that's what he says by Zlurg · · Score: 3, Interesting

    Who says it has to be Spanish? LOTS of languages use uno, dos and tres as their first three numbers. I'll tell you what, though, there are a couple that use quatro-variants as #4, pronounced entirely differently from Espanol...
    ...say, akin to "KAT-ruh"
    I know this because I once owned an Italian car called the Masarati Quattroporte, pronounced "KATruh-port"

    And by the time I get this posted, I'm sure 6 others will point out that 14 DOES come after 3.

  42. Isn't the problem with this rumour that.... by Freddles · · Score: 2, Insightful

    ...if the music is pre-loaded, then when it is first synched with iTunes, the pre-loaded music will be deleted?

    Surely it's more likely that they would bundle the iPod with an iTunes Music Store Voucher for the 'free' tracks so the user can download them themselves. This would keep all the DRM intact.

  43. Figuring out the ways to get this the cheapest ... by adzoox · · Score: 2, Interesting

    I'm trying to figure out the ways to get this the cheapest. I suppose this will not be available in any other store than the Apple retail store or Apple's online store...

    1) Use a paypal debit card (1.5% back) or other credit card cash back or point reward card (up to 4%)

    2) Buy under a program like MyPoints using the affiliate Apple Store Link = a 5% yield in converted to cash points

    3) Least useful tip: have the item shipped where Apple does not charge sales tax

    Can anyone else think of any other ways to save money on such an item to yield it for the lowest price?

    --
    Yell & scream & rant & rave... it's no use... you need a shaaaave ~ Bugs Bunny
  44. Re:Preload gets erased on first use? Huh? by 2nd+Post! · · Score: 2, Informative

    You know, iTunes doesn't erase the contents of the hard drive, only the special hidden music folders.

    So if the albums were stored on a disk image, say a CD, or multiple CDs, or something, on the drive, they wouldn't get erased unless the user erased them.

    And then when they get mounted by the OS, iTunes should be able to recognize them as CDs. Which means that iTunes can also import them. Even if they are mounted as disk images, iTunes can still import them into the library.

    So technically there's nothing stopping:
    Disk image containing all the songs on the drive (but not in the music folder)
    Said disk image automounted when the iPod is plugged in
    Said songs on said disk image imported by iTunes automatically (or prompted to at least)
    Said library created by iTunes is automatically (unless told otherwise) synched to the iPod

  45. The preshipped songs are by U2. by commodoresloat · · Score: 3, Funny

    Hopefully, once you reformat, they will be gone forever.

  46. Exactly! by 2nd+Post! · · Score: 2, Insightful

    So an iPod is INSURANCE.
    If you have a $3,000 CD collection (say half used, half new, $8 for used, $16 for new, $24 for two CDs, then $3k is 250 CDs, if there is 50 minutes of music per CD and you rip at 1mb/minute, that's 12500mb or 12.5gb of music) a $400 iPod is CHEAP insurance vs getting CDs scratched, lost, or stolen.

    If you have a $6,000 CD collection, then you have 25gb of music. If you rip at higher than 128kbps, but say 224kbps, then a $6k CD collection will take approximately 50gb!

    So iPods really do make sense if you've been buying 2 CDs a month for the past 10 years (that's 24 a year, 240 total).

  47. Re:Damn thats sexy... by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 3, Informative

    Sexy? You want sexy with an iPod?? Here ya go!! (warning: nsfw)

    Hehe. :)

  48. It's the wild colour scheme that freaks me... by Dixie_Flatline · · Score: 4, Funny

    Every time you try to operate one of the weird black controls that are labelled in black on a black background, a little black light lights up black to let you know youve done it.

  49. Is this okay with Apple Records? by cyclobotomy · · Score: 2, Informative
    Didn't a previous article previously reported on slashdot say that Apple computer is okay selling music as long as it doesn't sell it on a physical medium, so as not to directly compete with the Apple Records?

    From MacNewsWorld:

    ...one of those passages in the court document strongly implies that Apple Corps agreed to allow Apple (Computer) to pursue digital music initiatives, but not package, sell or distribute any physical music materials such as CDs.

  50. Re:Please People... by gamgee5273 · · Score: 2, Interesting
    The PSP? You are comparing the iPod to the PSP? You're comparing a 40GB hard drive music player to a piece of equipment that is disc-based, has poor power management, keeps getting pushed back and doesn't have the games to launch before Christmas?

    Using your logic: I can pick up a shareware app to rip DVDs to a 128MB Memory Stick and watch movies on my Sony Ericsson P900, which would allow me to "play mp3s, watch movies and play games" and use it as a planner, a Bluetooth remote, a cell phone and a digital camera. Doesn't mean that it's replacing my iPod at any point. The iPod goes more places with me than the P900 does...

    So my question to you is: What the hell are you smoking, where did you get it and will you share? Because you are smoking some SERIOUS shit...

  51. It's a bit late for charges of hypocrisy, no? by Zhe+Mappel · · Score: 2, Interesting
    ...to feed some starving African babies or support some whack hippy group and generally continue to stick their self-righteous noses in everything.

    It's really ironic that you're bashing Bono with such hackneyed right wing rhetoric when he has spent the past four years as a habitual guest in the Bush White House, traveling with Bush's Treasury Secretary, praying with Jesse Helms, calling on Bill Frist, and dining with Rupert Murdoch.

    Don't you recognize one of your own when you see him?

  52. That is SO true by GrodinTierce · · Score: 3, Funny

    I swear it's totally for real! Check this out if you don't believe me.

    :)

    --


    Tierce
    Who sponsors your feelings?