Sign in with
Sign up | Sign in

Apple Releases Tool For Deleting U2's Album

By - Source: Apple | B 24 comments

Source: U2Source: U2

For some of us, the addition of U2's free new album, Songs of Innocence, was a nice surprise. The iTunes gift supposedly cost Apple around $100 million, which went to the band and its label, Universal. The album was distributed to around 500 million iTunes account holders.

"U2 worked five years on this album, they poured blood, sweat, tears into project, and we were really confident with it. The goal was: how do we reach as many as possible?" said the band's manager, Guy Oseary.

But what if you're not a fan of U2 and don't want the new album in your iTunes collection? Apple has a tool for that right here, an opt-out page that removes the free songs from your iTunes music library and iTunes purchases.

Source: U2Source: U2However, this tool doesn't remove the album forever; the album will simply not be available to re-download as a previous purchase. Instead, if customers discover that they want the album at a later date, they must actually buy it.

For now, the album is free to everyone until October 13, 2014. "Never before have so many people owned one album, let alone on the day of its release," said Apple's promo page.

Starting six days ago when the album was first introduced, many customers began complaining that Songs of Innocence showed up on the iPhone or iPad without permission. Some were clueless about the promotion while others simply didn't want a U2 album. The download should have been optional, not automatically dumped into every iOS device.

"You'll have noticed the album is free to U2.com'ers from the band," Bono said on U2's website. "It's also free to everyone on iTunes thanks to Apple. To celebrate the ten year anniversary of our iPod commercial, they bought it as a gift to give to all their music customers."

"For the people out there who have no interest in checking us out, look at it this way… the blood, sweat and tears of some Irish guys are in your junk mail," Bono added.

Follow Kevin Parrish @exfileme. Follow us @tomshardware, on Facebook and on Google+.

Discuss
Add a comment
Ask a Category Expert
React To This Article

Create a new thread in the News comments forum about this subject

Example: Notebook, Android, SSD hard drive

Top Comments
  • 12 Hide
    Alec Mowat , September 15, 2014 7:01 PM
    Quote:
    Wow free and people still complain, just can't win in this world...


    I almost called and complained, but they were closed. I don't like anything being added to my account without my knowledge, I was originally under the impression someone had logged into my account and was making orders. I had to review all my credit card statements and rush hope to make sure no orders were made.

    Free gifts are great, but I demand an option. Don't push orders onto my account. "Free gift, please click to accept" next time.
  • 11 Hide
    Blazer1985 , September 15, 2014 5:52 PM
    It is not free. It is "apple free". A 999$ iPhone cost them less than 200$, a part of the 800$ went in adv, u2 stage performance and u2 album. Nothing is free in this world, really :-)
Other Comments
  • 2 Hide
    deadmeow , September 15, 2014 2:50 PM
    pop cheese.
  • Add your comment Display all 24 comments.
  • 3 Hide
    warezme , September 15, 2014 2:53 PM
    Drama queens. I have nothing against U2 but they didn't do it for free. Apple paid them 100 million dollars regardless of whether Apple charged anyone. You give me $100 and I'll bleed, sweat or whatever else for you as well.

    The point is, they pushed content without permission.
  • 8 Hide
    skit75 , September 15, 2014 2:58 PM
    U2 has now gone the way of the AOL install disc...... Everybody gets one therefore.... NOBODY wants it. I remember I liked them both, briefly in the early 90's
  • 1 Hide
    spartanmk2 , September 15, 2014 3:29 PM
    You accepted Apples ToS and therefor they can push what they want as long as its not charged to your account.
  • -6 Hide
    agentbb007 , September 15, 2014 4:07 PM
    Wow free and people still complain, just can't win in this world...
  • 0 Hide
    hitman40 , September 15, 2014 4:13 PM
    Quote:
    Drama queens. I have nothing against U2 but they didn't do it for free. Apple paid them 100 million dollars regardless of whether Apple charged anyone. You give me $100 and I'll bleed, sweat or whatever else for you as well.

    The point is, they pushed content without permission.


    It is free, for us. Who else matters..lol
  • 11 Hide
    Blazer1985 , September 15, 2014 5:52 PM
    It is not free. It is "apple free". A 999$ iPhone cost them less than 200$, a part of the 800$ went in adv, u2 stage performance and u2 album. Nothing is free in this world, really :-)
  • 1 Hide
    Blazer1985 , September 15, 2014 5:54 PM
    It is not free. It is "apple free". A 999$ iPhone cost them less than 200$, a part of the 800$ went in adv, u2 stage performance and u2 album. Nothing is free in this world, really :-)
  • 12 Hide
    Alec Mowat , September 15, 2014 7:01 PM
    Quote:
    Wow free and people still complain, just can't win in this world...


    I almost called and complained, but they were closed. I don't like anything being added to my account without my knowledge, I was originally under the impression someone had logged into my account and was making orders. I had to review all my credit card statements and rush hope to make sure no orders were made.

    Free gifts are great, but I demand an option. Don't push orders onto my account. "Free gift, please click to accept" next time.
  • 1 Hide
    Shin-san , September 15, 2014 7:14 PM
    Reminds me of malicious software removal tools

    However, they should have just put it on everyone's iButt
  • 0 Hide
    fat_panda , September 15, 2014 7:18 PM
    You can't just keep it on the cloud?
  • 7 Hide
    soldier44 , September 15, 2014 8:29 PM
    Or you could just not buy or have an Iphone simple fix.
  • 3 Hide
    terroralpha , September 15, 2014 10:44 PM
    Quote:
    Wow free and people still complain, just can't win in this world...


    if it was one of U2's older albums, like The Joshua Tree or or All That You Can't Leave Behind or War, i would gladly accept it. but U2's last 3 albums are straight sh!t the only way i would let that garbage litter my music library is if they paid me the $100 million
  • 0 Hide
    fuzzion , September 15, 2014 11:56 PM
    It could have been worst. AThey could have included Rebecca Blacks song.
  • -1 Hide
    amyxu , September 16, 2014 2:29 AM
    Sounds great!
  • 5 Hide
    The_Icon , September 16, 2014 3:00 AM
    So, Apple dictates what you should and shouldn't be listening to? Just like their iOS mentality :) 
  • 0 Hide
    prince_david , September 16, 2014 6:47 AM
    This is like when you get a free MP3 downloading winamp. Whatever it's free music everyone needs to chill. No good deed goes unpunished.
  • 0 Hide
    g-thor , September 16, 2014 7:10 AM
    So does this purchase from Apple, which may or may not be realized as people actually listening to the album, move it up in the ratings. Did it drive it to Platinum before it was even released? Did U2 get $100 million and a #1 seller out of the deal?

    Nice work, if you can get it.

    However, I appreciate the thought, Apple. Perhaps a gift card would have been nicer.
  • 0 Hide
    Cons29 , September 16, 2014 8:12 AM
    "Never before have so many people owned one album, let alone on the day of its release,"

    it's free... and without permission... how can that be special? how can that be surprising.
  • 0 Hide
    scolaner , September 16, 2014 8:38 AM
    *cough* Spiderman the musical *cough*

    I don't think anything else needs to be said.
Display more comments
React To This Article