Apple Music & U2 partner on virtual reality music video 'Song for Someone'
Under the Apple Music banner, Apple and favored musical partner U2 have joined together on a virtual reality music video for the band's "Song for Someone."
For the general public the video is available through Vrse, a multi-platform VR app (including iOS), and mixes scenes of U2 playing onstage with other musicians playing in their homes. People who don't have a headset can simply watch the video in fullscreen mode and tilt or rotate their device to change perspective.
In recent days Apple has been showing the video to U2 fans on "The Experience Bus," a vehicle following the band on tour, according to TechCrunch. There the setup is more advanced, with Macs projecting the video into Oculus headsets, and Beats headphones supplying audio. iPads on the bus are believed to be used for promoting Apple Music.
The video itself displays Apple Music branding at the beginning, though it's unclear to what extent Apple was involved in producing the content. The company has had a hand in music videos for artists like Drake and Pharrell Williams.
Apple has periodically dabbled in VR technology, for instance devising the QuickTime VR file format in 1994. Over the years the company has occasionally filed for VR-related patents, but never released any tangible products.
In fact the company appears poised to venture into augmented reality instead, which like Microsoft's HoloLens displays 3D graphics over real-world scenery. Earlier this year the company bought a company specializing in AR called Metaio.
For the general public the video is available through Vrse, a multi-platform VR app (including iOS), and mixes scenes of U2 playing onstage with other musicians playing in their homes. People who don't have a headset can simply watch the video in fullscreen mode and tilt or rotate their device to change perspective.
In recent days Apple has been showing the video to U2 fans on "The Experience Bus," a vehicle following the band on tour, according to TechCrunch. There the setup is more advanced, with Macs projecting the video into Oculus headsets, and Beats headphones supplying audio. iPads on the bus are believed to be used for promoting Apple Music.
The video itself displays Apple Music branding at the beginning, though it's unclear to what extent Apple was involved in producing the content. The company has had a hand in music videos for artists like Drake and Pharrell Williams.
Apple has periodically dabbled in VR technology, for instance devising the QuickTime VR file format in 1994. Over the years the company has occasionally filed for VR-related patents, but never released any tangible products.
In fact the company appears poised to venture into augmented reality instead, which like Microsoft's HoloLens displays 3D graphics over real-world scenery. Earlier this year the company bought a company specializing in AR called Metaio.
Comments
I listened to each of their free songs and wept for the muse of music.
Their most recent music has not quite been up to snuff, but they've had dry patches before.
I really look forward to the day when Apple stops embarrassing themselves by partnering with U2.
I listened to each of their free songs and wept for the muse of music.
U2 not only still tours, but sells out pretty much everywhere they go, and set attendance records doing so. Personally, while it's not quite Aching Baby,I thought "Songs of Innocence" was excellent. It might not be your kind of music, but for millions around the world, it is. I suppose that makes us lesser humans in your eyes, but I can't do much about that.
I'm assuming this will automatically download to my iPhone in 3... 2... 1...
I wish Bono and his stupid pink glasses would sod off!
I found that app very interesting. I was wondering what was so special until I started moving the device.
Perhaps it's because both U2 and Apple have something in common. Both been using the 'double Irish with a Dutch sandwich' dodge to avoid European taxes. That sticks the little people in small business, trades and professions with making up for the taxes they don't pay.
http://www.investopedia.com/terms/d/double-irish-with-a-dutch-sandwich.asp
What's particularly irritating is that both Apple and U2 think they occupy a moral high ground that allows them to lecture the rest of us about what we should or should not do. Not so.