Apple has teamed with U2 to create a customized iPod pre-loaded with every one of the Irish rock act’s studio albums. In all, the portable music player will contain more than 400 U2 tracks, including 25 rarities previously only available to subscribers to U2’s official magazine, Propaganda. The device comes in black with a red click wheel and is engraved with band members’ signatures.
In addition, Apple’s iTunes Music Store will in late November make available “The Complete U2,” allowing fans to download the tracks pre-loaded onto the customized iPod in one click. The bundle will sell for $149; the 20GB U2 iPod, which can hold 5,000 songs, will be available in mid-November for $349.
“We want our audience to have a more intimate online relationship with the band, and Apple can help us do that,” says U2 frontman Bono. “With iPod and iTunes, Apple has created a crossroads of art, commerce and technology which feels good for both musicians and fans.”
U2 and Apple had already partnered on an iPod television ad campaign featuring “Vertigo,” the first single from the band’s upcoming Interscope album, “How To Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.”
Apple today (Oct. 26) also unveiled the new 40 and 60GB iPod Photo models, which feature a color screen and can store up to 25,000 digital photos and 15,000 songs.
Souce billboard.com.
