U2 to give their new LP to every iTunes customer for free in largest album release ever
Adding to the tsunami of major announcements coming out of Cupertino on Friday, Apple and Irish rockers U2 teamed up to give away a free copy the band's new album to each one of the more than 500 million iTunes customers in 119 countries around the world.
Apple CEO Tim Cook made the announcement standing alongside U2 frontman Bono at the end of the company's event earlier Tuesday. Following a performance of their new single, Bono asked Cook if he could help release the album.
"Well, we have iTunes," Cook replied.
The two then joined together on a five-second countdown, with Cook declaring at the end that that "actually happened." The album will become available in users' libraries throughout the day, and will remain exclusive to iTunes --?for free -- until Oct. 13.
In addition, the album will stream over iTunes Radio and through Beats Music. Cook said that the event represents the largest album release in the history of the music industry.
Word of U2's involvement leaked last week, but the band flatly denied those reports, likely at Apple's behest. "They are not releasing their album on the iPhone, and they are not performing at the iPhone launch," the band's representative said at the time.
Apple CEO Tim Cook made the announcement standing alongside U2 frontman Bono at the end of the company's event earlier Tuesday. Following a performance of their new single, Bono asked Cook if he could help release the album.
"Well, we have iTunes," Cook replied.
The two then joined together on a five-second countdown, with Cook declaring at the end that that "actually happened." The album will become available in users' libraries throughout the day, and will remain exclusive to iTunes --?for free -- until Oct. 13.
In addition, the album will stream over iTunes Radio and through Beats Music. Cook said that the event represents the largest album release in the history of the music industry.
Word of U2's involvement leaked last week, but the band flatly denied those reports, likely at Apple's behest. "They are not releasing their album on the iPhone, and they are not performing at the iPhone launch," the band's representative said at the time.
Comments
Not in my library though, nor is it listed as an "available download".
Another 'not impressive' performance. :no:
I have a feeling Apple flatly failed to account for
sheer volume in any of today's endeavors.
And two minutes before it showed up in my library.
Turn on “iTunes in the Cloud” purchases.
Nah.
(P.S. Even though I have all the iTunes cloud options turned on, the album does NOT appear in my library, yet shows as Purchased in the store. I'm sure it will eventually appear--just pointing out that Boredumb is not wrong. It's not working the same for everyone instantly.)
Took over 20 minutes before you could even see the album in the iTunes Store - where it says I've already purchased it.
To be fair, Cook did say it would take a little longer than five seconds to "get across the whole Internet." I still haven't been able to see or download it, but I'll try later. It's a nice bonus for me since I'm a U2 fan and would have bought the new album.
Come on people. It is a free album from a great band. This could become the biggest music download there has ever been. I remember when Apple released OS 7. For the first day or so it was difficult and time consumming to download. If you waited a few more days it was much quicker. I am sure this will be sorted soon.
Go to the iTunes Store, click on Purchased under Quick Links on the top right of the page.
...then click the cloud icon in the corner of the album cover image. That worked, thanks!
Patience.... it's a virtue.
Yep. Thanks for adding that last detail, I should have.
My entitlement complex says I can't stand U2, can't we have some free Dre?
"Largest Album Release Ever" What is the significance of that title/headline?
The widest release in history.
I wonder how much Apple paid U2 for this album? I wonder how much U2 usually makes on a new album release. It’s gotta be in the multi-millions?
"Largest Album Release Ever" What is the significance of that title/headline?
You have no idea how big iTunes really is, do you. It literally dwarfs any other music store on the planet, Amazon and Google included. They don’t even come close.
Anyway, it takes 1,000,000 sales of an album to be classified Platinum. It takes 10,000,000 sales of an album to be classified Diamond. U2 just released an album to over 500,000,000 iTunes subscribers. It’s already in those 500,000,000 libraries. And Apple PAID U2 for that album. THAT’s why it is the “Largest Album Release Ever.” Any more questions?
Nice. It's a pretty good album so far, about half-way through. And really, can't complain when it's free.
Took over 20 minutes before you could even see the album in the iTunes Store - where it says I've already purchased it.
Not in my library though, nor is it listed as an "available download".
Another 'not impressive' performance.
I have a feeling Apple flatly failed to account for
sheer volume in any of today's endeavors.
sounds like you would have blamed Apple even if U2 arrived at your door and handed it to you.
If they gave me a private concert for free, I’d complain it’s too loud. If I moved to a distance where the sound was appropriate, I’d complain I couldn’t see the band.
This is based on the assumption that they wouldn’t turn it down, of course. Something something integrity of the composition something something Irish swearwords.
"U2 spokesman" has just stolen the crown from DigiTimes for Most Unreliable Source of Information.
(P.S. Even though I have all the iTunes cloud options turned on, the album does NOT appear in my library, yet shows as Purchased in the store. I'm sure it will eventually appear--just pointing out that Boredumb is not wrong. It's not working the same for everyone instantly.)
He lived to 'spokes' another day... and his cut of 500,000,000 in album sales in one day. That buys a lot of Jameson's to staunch the pain of lying to tech reporters.
Tymmy 'Durden' Cook advised him of the first rule of Apple Events
http://forums.appleinsider.com/t/182095/u2-says-reports-of-apple-tie-up-for-iphone-6-are-untrue#post_2589598