Restrictions drove U2 to switch sides from Apple to RIM - report

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Comments

  • Reply 21 of 110
    jazzgurujazzguru Posts: 6,435member
    As if this will be a catastrophic blow to Apple? Yeah, I'm sure partnering with U2 was an integral part of their branding strategy.
  • Reply 22 of 110
    gto65lgto65l Posts: 42member
    It's kind of like that old philosophical question...



    If U2 joins RIM, Does anyone care?



    I don't, so Apple isn't going to make an ugly iPod I wouldn't buy anyway.
  • Reply 23 of 110
    ghostface147ghostface147 Posts: 1,629member
    My mom believes that Bono is a spy. Funny.
  • Reply 24 of 110
    york2600york2600 Posts: 13member
    I had always assumed Apple's dealings with U2 were more about Steve's love for U2 than an actual business partnership. What did Apple ever really get from the partnership. U2's fanbase just isn't Apple's target market. There are much better bands out there that Apple could be dealing with for 1/4 of the cost and 1/4 of the ego as U2.
  • Reply 25 of 110
    jeffharrisjeffharris Posts: 775member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by addabox View Post


    I like that U2 and RIM have a "shared vision." Because I think corporate "rock" is awesome.





    That shared vision involves desperately grasping at anything to avoid irrelevance.

    I get it, they'll call it ME2



    Oh, wait, methinks it's too late!



    Seriously, who the fuck cares about RIM or U2.
  • Reply 26 of 110
    2 cents2 cents Posts: 307member
    C'mmon...this is funny. Who wouldn't tune in to a reality show starring a washed up rock star with funny glasses blinding us with science straight from Cupertino. Throw Steve Jobs and some honeys in there and you'd have a major hit show no nerd could look away from. I say apple missed the boat on this one.
  • Reply 27 of 110
    tdmelvintdmelvin Posts: 37member
    U2? Christ, do they still tour? The last song I heard them play was "I still haven't found what I'm looking for". Didn't he get hit for not paying taxes?



    Boring...who cares. Yeah, just what I want; none stop mobile access to a band of washups. Bwahhhaahaaa
  • Reply 28 of 110
    justflybobjustflybob Posts: 1,337member
    What's that old saying about history repeating itself?



    In this case, Bono and the boys are doing just that.



    Or doesn't anyone remember the arrogance of the band during their "Zoo TV" days, when they refused to play any of the old songs while on tour, because it would take away from the glory that was "Zoo TV."



    Once upon a time you were relevant, Bono. But in my book? Your 15 minutes of fame has lasted way too long.



    I, for one, will be rather pleased once Research In Motion finally figures out that they were the ones that got "RIM'd."
  • Reply 29 of 110
    porchlandporchland Posts: 478member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by steelskyrust View Post


    Of course the decision by U2 to switch sides has nothing whatsoever to do with the amount of money they were offered by RIM? Bono makes me sick, he bangs on about all that RED bollocks yet doesn't pay his taxes and expects everyone else to fund his charities why he seal major commercial deals for his own benefit.



    I rolled my eyes when I heard the title of UT's first single -- "Magnificent."



    You spend enough time in the bubble -- "advising" Tony Blair, etc. -- you start thinking you can jump on Oprah's couch. Bono, dude, you still have to take a crap twice a day like the rest of us. Get over yourself.
  • Reply 30 of 110
    jazzgurujazzguru Posts: 6,435member
    This just in: Palm announces partnership with Rick Astley, to feature limited edition "RickRoll Pre". More news as it develops...
  • Reply 31 of 110
    virgil-tb2virgil-tb2 Posts: 1,416member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by radiospace View Post


    Deluded fanboi consumerism at its finest.



    ...and the use of "fanboi" automatically makes your comments irrelevant.



    The fact is that Apple is considered a "cool" brand and lots of cool hip people own Apple products, especially in the music and entertainment industry. There are studies done on branding every year that come back with that conclusion. It's also a "given" that Blackberry is a brand most admired by business geeks, generally of the 40+ age range and isn't considered particularly "cool" but merely practical.



    For a seriously ageing band that hasn't had a good hit song in a lot of years, to be associating themselves with older geeky business execs rather than the young, cool brand is a questionable move.



    If U2 is seen as "past it," their business suffers.
  • Reply 32 of 110
    adjeiadjei Posts: 738member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by slapppy View Post


    It would be interesting to find out what kind of technological contribution U2 can provide for Apple.



    LOL thats what I know, what the heck do they know about technology.
  • Reply 33 of 110
    justflybobjustflybob Posts: 1,337member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by gmcalpin View Post


    It's been 25 years now, dude. Time to just shake your head and stop caring.



    I gave up on the term "graphic novel" years ago. It's just a big comic book, for fuck's sake. (Dammit, I guess I should practice what I preach.)



    Damn, that's funny!
  • Reply 34 of 110
    radiospaceradiospace Posts: 180member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Virgil-TB2 View Post


    The fact is that Apple is considered a "cool" brand and lots of cool hip people own Apple products



    ...matters to insecure tools who need to validate their petty lives through associations with advertising slogans.



    It hasn't seemed to prevent U2 from having the #1 album on Billboard's charts a couple of weeks ago, though.
  • Reply 35 of 110
    macslutmacslut Posts: 514member
    From kevinJedwards.com:



    According to AppleInsider, ?Restrictions drove U2 to switch sides from Apple to RIM?, Apple lost the sponsorship opportunity for U2 to RIM due to Apple not being willing to appease U2. I?m not that big of a fan of U2 (and forget the ?but U2 sucks? comments), the fact is, U2 is HUGE. While artistically I think they ran out of substance a long time ago and are running high on gimmicks, they do get millions of people engaged in what they?re doing around the world.



    From U2?s perspective, they want to be treated like the artistic Gods they think they are. They want *something*, anything that their status gives them exclusive access to, so they can seem cutting edge.



    Apple, isn?t so accustomed to placating in this regard, and probably has the perspective that they?ve got all kinds of high priority partners to provide direct support and access to, such as Microsoft (Office for the iPhone), or Adobe (Flash).



    Given the clash of corporate and brand protecting egotistical giants, I could see how there would be a conflict between U2 and Apple.



    But this ultimately ends up hurting Apple.



    U2 goes on and does something with RIM for the Blackberry, which will probably be something with less whiz-bang bells and whistles. However, Apple loses the promotional opportunity completely. Furthermore, Apple loses some of its edge as the media smartphone as opposed to just the smartphone. In other words, some people may see the Blackberry as just as hip, cool, and media savvy, but better for business use than the iPhone. The opposite of this of course would be Microsoft offering Office for the iPhone as an exclusive.



    Of course all of this assumes that the article at AppleInsider is correct, and Apple lost U2 for reasons other than RIM simply just deciding this opportunity was worth pouring a boatload of cash into and simply outbidding Apple.



    The bottom line though is that this is yet another example of how Apple needs to open up and play nicer with partners. Somehow though I can?t imagine Steve Jobs is spending his time off right now ripping up iU2 photos.
  • Reply 36 of 110
    addaboxaddabox Posts: 12,665member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by macslut View Post


    From kevinJedwards.com:



    According to AppleInsider, ?Restrictions drove U2 to switch sides from Apple to RIM?, Apple lost the sponsorship opportunity for U2 to RIM due to Apple not being willing to appease U2. I?m not that big of a fan of U2 (and forget the ?but U2 sucks? comments), the fact is, U2 is HUGE. While artistically I think they ran out of substance a long time ago and are running high on gimmicks, they do get millions of people engaged in what they?re doing around the world.



    From U2?s perspective, they want to be treated like the artistic Gods they think they are. They want *something*, anything that their status gives them exclusive access to, so they can seem cutting edge.



    Apple, isn?t so accustomed to placating in this regard, and probably has the perspective that they?ve got all kinds of high priority partners to provide direct support and access to, such as Microsoft (Office for the iPhone), or Adobe (Flash).



    Given the clash of corporate and brand protecting egotistical giants, I could see how there would be a conflict between U2 and Apple.



    But this ultimately ends up hurting Apple.



    U2 goes on and does something with RIM for the Blackberry, which will probably be something with less whiz-bang bells and whistles. However, Apple loses the promotional opportunity completely. Furthermore, Apple loses some of its edge as the media smartphone as opposed to just the smartphone. In other words, some people may see the Blackberry as just as hip, cool, and media savvy, but better for business use than the iPhone. The opposite of this of course would be Microsoft offering Office for the iPhone as an exclusive.



    Of course all of this assumes that the article at AppleInsider is correct, and Apple lost U2 for reasons other than RIM simply just deciding this opportunity was worth pouring a boatload of cash into and simply outbidding Apple.



    The bottom line though is that this is yet another example of how Apple needs to open up and play nicer with partners. Somehow though I can?t imagine Steve Jobs is spending his time off right now ripping up iU2 photos.



    Gibberish.



    Let's assume what the above thinks would negate this argument: that the U2/RIM deal is strictly a matter of cash. How does that change anything? If it's a win for RIM, PR wise, why does the deal being done on strictly mercantile terms make it any less a win? Or any more of a win, if that how it strikes you?



    And how is U2 a "partner" that is emblematic of Apple's need to play nicer? Apple needs to play nice with its developers and third party peripheral makers. Given the state of both, they appear to playing plenty nice enough. The fact that they may or may not have given a rock band sufficient ass kissing to keep them happy has no bearing on that.
  • Reply 37 of 110
    frogbatfrogbat Posts: 69member
    i'm a mac fan and a u2 fan... in fact my u2 ipod sits proudly on my shelf - it died a death like most ipods do.



    yeah was surprised at the blackberry move - u2 aren't used to taking corporate sponsors so there must be something there they're hoping to explore or the economy has forced their hand.



    for those rantin bout the taxes - they moved most of their earnings and interests offshore might be hypocritical but i too would rather have more cash in hand which i can choose to whom to give it to or spend it (nice mac pros come to mind..) rather than give more to incompetent governments lining their pockets and mismanaging everything.



    those who ranted on the arrogance of zootv with them not wanting to play old songs... u2 generally play a mix of old and new. heck on the last tour they played songs from their first album too



    i like their new album more than their previous two and it also has a mac reference in a lyric ("force quit and move to trust")
  • Reply 38 of 110
    quinneyquinney Posts: 2,528member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Virgil-TB2 View Post


    The fact is that Apple is considered a "cool" brand and lots of cool hip people own Apple products, especially in the music and entertainment industry. There are studies done on branding every year that come back with that conclusion. It's also a "given" that Blackberry is a brand most admired by business geeks, generally of the 40+ age range and isn't considered particularly "cool" but merely practical.



    For a seriously ageing band that hasn't had a good hit song in a lot of years, to be associating themselves with older geeky business execs rather than the young, cool brand is a questionable move.



    If U2 is seen as "past it," their business suffers.



    I think your identification of the target demographic is correct, however I disagree that it

    will make RIM's business suffer. I think U2 and Blackberries appeal to the same group of

    people. I think Apple's target group is much younger, thus they would be better served

    by hiring a band who appeals to younger people, if they want to hire a band at all.
  • Reply 39 of 110
    mr squidmr squid Posts: 58member
    U2 has not been alternative since the 1990s. Now they just do bland pop rock. Long ago, however, they were brilliant.
  • Reply 40 of 110
    SpamSandwichSpamSandwich Posts: 33,407member
    Quote:
    Originally Posted by Virgil-TB2 View Post


    WTF?



    Why the heck would they need access to the labs? Is Bono a scientist now?



    I predict this switch will be the last nail in U2's coffin. They are already ancient and mostly irrelevant. Switching from the cool brand to the un-cool brand is all it will take to make anyone younger than 50 or so think twice about buying their albums.



    I could only guess they wanted some kind of app that would allow them to interact with people at the show (maybe turn all devices into some massive automated lighting effect?)... anyway, they should have simply developed an app and sold it.



    No grudges held against U2 or Bono, they're just doing what they think is best for themselves.
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