U2-themed iPod now available

Apple unveiled its black-and-red U2-themed iPod today.  The 20GB iPod, signed on the back by the band in Apple's signature laser etching, also comes with an exclusive U2 poster. Why is it that after years of waiting for a black iPod, they screw it up by making the scroll wheel red? Also, there is no mention of free U2 content pre-loaded on the iPod as was previously speculated.  However, the U2 iPod does come with a $50 off coupon for The Complete U2, a digital box set including more than 400 U2 tracks (all the albums plus 25 B-sides).

[Tony Paygane @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

I like the black one better i think.

[tke918 @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

The black ipod is cool ;)

[me @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

where the mp3 players have no name

[tim @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

its cool, but u2 is washed up. that comercial makes me hate them even more

[Mike @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

ipod looks cool but the new U2 song is pretty bad

[tr @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

washed up!!??? u should try going to their concerts to see just how washed up they are....!!!

and the U2 ed. iPod is very nice shankyouverymuch!!!

=)

[bertram @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

but that ugly red click wheel, ugh. i'll stick with colorware for the same price upgrade.

[raphie @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

^^ agreed! the u2 commercial is on par with the same trite attempt at cool as the abysmal sony commercial with macy grey. do these companies have any clue??

[The Matt @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

Since I'm on a Linux box, I can't see iTMS. Can anyone tell me what that $50 is off of? Is the "box set" $50, $100, $500?

[diestarbucksdie @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

i cant stand u2 everytime i see that commercial i want to gouge my eyes out and use them to pierce my eardrums.

[Damien Girard @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

I could see the red scroll wheel if it were a TARGET� special addition! They did screw it up with that!

[CHS @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

I was really looking forward to the black ipod. I don't even mind the red scroll wheel.

what I can't stand is that it's TINY!! 20GB? UGH! I've been holding off on buying an ipod because I wanted to get one that was at least 40GB, and I was waiting for the color one. but, I also wanted to wait and see about the black one.

unfortunately, if I want a black ipod I guess I'll have to go through colorware :(

20GB is way too small for today's ipod.

[bill @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

Paint it black, and charge more loot? No thanks.

[Brian @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

Are you kidding me?

I used to get upset when bands "sold out" to commercials but I don't anymore. Money is money, promotion is promotion. Their job is to sell albums and thats what they are doing.

[diestarbucksdie @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

i dont care about the money part. i just cant stand the band. never have.

[Wuddel @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

... from the front. But the U2-signatures ruin it. I am not especially into U2 and even U2-fans would like an engravable back plus the autographs.

Higher price is simply because of the smaller batch. Not nice but understandable.

[WIll @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

I would get the new U2 edition ipod if i was a fanatic of them but however i am not though it is pretty awesome to see that. When are we going to see a Motown Records Edition thats Gold, a Bruce Springsten a Beatles, or how about a Jay-Z thats all black. ??? Just wondering

[gerald` @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

...which makes me wonder if more are on the way.

also, is the lucite now black, or is it just a coat of paint?

[mac @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

i want a black one without U2 being branded on it

[Flux @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

Oh wow.. I mean. I've been waiting for a black iPod FOREVER, and I don't even mind it being 20gb. But jesus mary h christ that red wheel has to go! It' looks like a friggin toy!! Yuck!

[At @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

I love the U2 iPod, I love the red click wheel. The COmplete U2 is $150, $100 when you buy the iPod. How do you have enough songs to fill up the 40gb? And they're making the photo one that has 60gb. Who has all of thouse songs. Heck, I am buying the U2 iPod. Just as soon as I get enough money.

[Mike Moran @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

Jealous!
U2 has incredible musical talent, tons of money, they give it back, and all you can do is whah whah whah. Name one other band in the last 25 years which has been as influential, original, experimental, and succesful. CANT CANT CANT, Give me a break. If you like it, buy it. If you dont like it, secretly envy it.it!

[Tatti @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

Mwahahahahaha, feel jealous! I just got my U2 Ipod. The national launch is the 24th but I am playing with my one here at home now...mwahahahah

[U2 Is Da Bomb @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

U2 is an amzing band, and all of you out there who say that they are bad and have no tallent....well guess what you have no musical talent and the music that you listen to must not have much talent in it. Just like that other guy said, it is thier job and they have to promote. I can't get enough of thier music.

[Kapila Wimalaratne @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

At first, I thought the red clickwheel was terrible, but after seeing the U2 iPod in stores I've been turned around on this 180 degrees. It's even better looking than the iPod minis.

Kap

[kevman @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

U2 is the biggest band in rock-worldwide. That title is for good reason, too. It is so tiring to see "brands" not bands climbing the charts every week. Popular/Rock/Top 40 music has become a homoginized mishmash of talentless hacks who have to lipsynch in order to give an honorable live performance. A great example(and I love the band) is No Doubt. Have you ever heard Gwen Stefani sing live? She sucks to put it mildly. How about the Ashlee Simpson embarassment? Janet Jackson? Britney? I could go on. (Of the mentioned, at least Gwen TRIES to sing live)

My point is, U2 is a genuine band. Not a "product" created and marketed under the steam of a wealthy producer. In a time when most music is as lame and "canned" as can be, it is refreshing to see a band like U2 doing their artistic thing and bothering to push the envelope. If you don't get it, then by all means continue to listen to your syndicated top 40 radio station pump out the same tired old formulated material. (Small minds irritate me)

[kevman @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

U2 is the biggest band in rock-worldwide. That title is for good reason, too. It is so tiring to see "brands" not bands climbing the charts every week. Popular/Rock/Top 40 music has become a homoginized mishmash of talentless hacks who have to lipsynch in order to give an honorable live performance. A great example(and I love the band) is No Doubt. Have you ever heard Gwen Stefani sing live? She sucks to put it mildly. How about the Ashlee Simpson embarassment? Janet Jackson? Britney? I could go on. (Of the mentioned, at least Gwen TRIES to sing live)

My point is, U2 is a genuine band. Not a "product" created and marketed under the steam of a wealthy producer. In a time when most music is as lame and "canned" as can be, it is refreshing to see a band like U2 doing their artistic thing and bothering to push the envelope. If you don't get it, then by all means continue to listen to your syndicated top 40 radio station pump out the same tired old formulated material. (Small minds irritate me)

[Shadez @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

To the person who said U2 is washed up, clearly you have absolutely no clue in hell what you are talking about lol. Being the #1 selling artist according to billboard for the last 12 years consecutively kind just goes to show how little you know. As the saying goes, best remain silent and be thought the idiot then open your mouth and remove all doubt.

[bullring @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

U2 has been around before this iPod stuff... Separate things, gadget and band.
I like the black finish and the signatures o the back. I think 20 GB is really tiny (and already comes loaded with songs from the band) and this red wheel sucks, looks like a toy or a TARGET� ad indeed.

[xris @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

I am a huge U2 fan. And I agree with everything the Kevman had to say: right on, man! And my favorite colors happen to be white, red and black. Red and black is soooo classy. I love it. I am just trying to decide if 20 gigs is going to be enough, because I would like to use it not only to store and play tunes, but as a hard drive (taking files to and from work if neccessary, etc.) And believe me, you can use up 20 gigs for music in no time. Entire Beatles repetoire, George Harrison, etc. etc. It all adds up. I just think the cost is too high for the actual product. I don't want the $50 coupon OR the poster, I just want my U2 ipod. No frills, no fancy stuff. Just give me what I want and no one gets hurt.... : )

[Andrew @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

Just so you people realise...the reason for the red spin wheel is to fit in with the 'Vertigo' theme...for those that like u2, you would know the HTDAAB is black and red...thus the black and red...also the cd's themselves resemble the clickwheel. So it was a good choice for having the red wheel. I like it, makes it stand out from the others. They don't make them anymore but i've got one coming in...can't wait!

[Jordan @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

U2 is brilliant, and just with that band playing on the commercial would make me buy the ipod. And i dont think U2 is washed up if im 16 years old and it still managed to become my favroite band.

[CHIRAG @ Dec 19th 2005 2:10AM]

THIS U2 SUCKS MAN.SUCH A HIGH PRICE BUT NO COLOUR DISPLAY!!!.
AND THAT ENGRAVED SIGN OF THE U2 MEMBERS-UGH!!
I DONT KNOW WHY DID THE HELL I BOUGHT IT WHEN THERE WERE OTHEER GRT MODELS AVAILABLE