News
Apple quietly updates U2 iPod, lowers price
Almost lost in last week’s new iPod announcements was the iPod U2 Special Edition. In the days following Apple’s special event, the company has quietly updated the black-and-red model to bring it in line with the current “enhanced” fifth-generation (5G) iPod. Apple has also cut the price of the U2 iPod—from $329 to $279—to reflect the newly lowered price of the standard 30GB 5G iPods; the U2 iPod is still priced at a $30 premium over the regular 30GB model. The new version has a new model number to distinguish it from its predecessor.
While many of the new iPod features—3.5 hours of video playback, video games, support for 640x480 videos and Quick Scroll—are available to original 5G iPod owners thanks to a version 1.2 firmware update, the newly updated U2 iPod appears to be revamped and not just updated with firmware. Apple says on its website that the U2 iPod features a “new, brighter screen,” and the U2 iPod has a new model number (MA664LL/A) compared to the original fifth-generation U2 iPod released earlier this year (MA452LL/A). Apple’s web pages, however, make no mention of the iPod’s new Search feature, an apparent oversight.
The U2 iPod features an all-black enclosure with black stainless steel back, red Click Wheel, and engraving of U2 band member signatures, and comes packaged with an iTunes Store coupon that can be redeemed for a 30-minute video of U2 music videos and band interviews. Apple originally introduced the iPod U2 Special Edition, based on the fourth-generation iPod, in October 2004. It later gained a color screen and other enhancements, and was updated to the 5G iPod platform this past June.
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21
The age of the members has no bearing on the music quality. The only other band I wished Apple could have a special edition for is the Beatles.
I like the color of the U2 and that is primarily why I own it (I like U2 music, but not fanatic about it) It is also more rare in the field of millions iPods (in NY at least).
Posted by nyalien in New York on September 22, 2006 at 1:27 PM (PDT)
22
The Beatles would be brand-appropriate, but for me I’d rather have the Led Zeppelin iPod, if I HAD to make such a choice. Heck, if Cadillac can snag Zep, surely Apple could do likewise.
Posted by flatline response on September 22, 2006 at 3:03 PM (PDT)
23
It’s a safe bet to say that your average ipod owner is younger than 30. U2, while still popular, has not made relevant music for a good 10 years. The point brennan appears to be trying to make is that relevant bands that appeal to younger fans would make more sense. And if any of you out there dispute this….that’s my opinion that’s why I said it.
Posted by Bono Sucks on September 22, 2006 at 3:47 PM (PDT)
24
they better do 50CENT G-UNIT IPOD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! GGGG-UNIT!!!! SOUTHSIDE!!!
Posted by muthafucka on September 23, 2006 at 10:05 AM (PDT)
25
i’d buy a madonna ipod.
Posted by Christine on September 23, 2006 at 10:05 AM (PDT)
26
The problem with creating an iPod for the “it” band at the moment is that that it has a very limited appeal. You have to think of the grand scope of the fanbase. Sure the Hives, Blink 182, Britney Spears and Sum 41 were hugely popular for their time but I doubt had the worldwide fanbase that U2 has. Frankly, U2 continues to make great music.
Even if you don’t like their music you can’t ignore the their ticket sales. If you’re a company wanting to come up with a limited edition iPod, you’re going to see who has the most fans that are willing to shell out money for an iPod. The ticket sales combined with the sales of merchandise at those concerts are a good indicator of this. So you can rattle off your high opinion of their music but you can’t deny the fact that they sold more tickets than a lot of thse “relevant” bands.
Posted by df57 on September 23, 2006 at 1:28 PM (PDT)
27
It’s odd that you can’t find this (or at least I can’t) by going directly to store.apple.com; you have to go through the link in the article. I had assumed the product was discontinued because of that.
Posted by XOR on September 25, 2006 at 12:01 AM (PDT)
28
U2, while still popular, has not made relevant music for a good 10 years.
Relevancy as a reason for a tribute iPod? If that’s the case, I’M still waiting for the music gods to point out if ANY band or act to have made relevant new music in the past decade, with new being the key operative.
Posted by flatline response on September 25, 2006 at 12:25 AM (PDT)
29
i think they sould keep it up with the u2 but make a rolling stones ipod i aint a big fan of either bands but i think it would be cool to have a rollin stone ipod with a black front and red back now thats a money maker
Posted by some1 on July 20, 2007 at 11:34 AM (PDT)
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