U2 iPod: Any Color You Want, As Long As It's Black 489
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.
Black now, full spectrum next (Score:5, Interesting)
Do exclusive marketing things work? (Score:5, Interesting)
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)
Downhill battle... (Score:5, Interesting)
Good to know SOMEBODY is getting something approaching a (more) fair cut of online royalties...
Another marketing tactic (Score:5, Interesting)
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...
Re:Finally! (Score:2, Interesting)
-- Press the "any" key to play this SIG
On a semi related note... (Score:5, Interesting)
Beatles Lawsuit? (Score:5, Interesting)
I'm curious to see what the Beatles'/Apple Records' lawyers will say about this.
p
backup the songs? (Score:5, Interesting)
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?
Re:Beatles Lawsuit? (Score:4, Interesting)
Re:Downhill battle... (Score:5, Interesting)
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.
Re:Another marketing tactic (Score:3, Interesting)
Or perhaps you meant that the Beatles won't allow their songs to be sold in a compressed, lossy, digital format?
iPod and music piracy... (Score:2, Interesting)
Earbuds (Score:3, Interesting)
As a side note, I just don't get the U2 sponsorship thing... what's next, pink Ipod with Britney preloaded?
Re:Bono's a moron (Score:5, Interesting)
How will the 'preload' work? (Score:3, Interesting)
Maybe they come with a music store "gift certificate" or something? You buy the ipod, then logon to download your "preload" ?
Re:iPod and music piracy... (Score:1, Interesting)
or using the ipod for something other than music.
anyway what's your point? its a storage device. its none of apple's busines what people do with them. It's up tothe individual owners to not break the law.
DRM on pre-loaded songs? (Score:2, Interesting)
I don't think that's what he says (Score:3, Interesting)
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.
Re:Bono's a moron (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Black now, full spectrum next (Score:3, Interesting)
Figuring out the ways to get this the cheapest ... (Score:3, Interesting)
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?
Re:backup the songs? (Score:1, Interesting)
In the past, you were not supposed to be able to transfer songs from iPod -> computer, only computer -> iPod. This was done to discourage people from sharing iPods and thus illegally copying songs between computers. 3rd party hacks will bypass this situation, but it's not apple-approved.
So right now, as soon as you plug this iPod into your computer, iTunes will see that the songs on your computer != songs on your iPod, and iTunes will overwrite your iPod with your computer music. Poof! There goes your U2 music. Probably before you even know what's happened.
The only way around this is if apple includes a version of iTunes with the U2 iPod that somehow avoids this situation.
Re:Downhill battle... (Score:3, Interesting)
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.
Re:Please People... (Score:3, Interesting)
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...
It's a bit late for charges of hypocrisy, no? (Score:3, Interesting)
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?