Apple Releases Tool For Deleting U2's Album
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.
However, 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."
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"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.
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Kevin Parrish has over a decade of experience as a writer, editor, and product tester. His work focused on computer hardware, networking equipment, smartphones, tablets, gaming consoles, and other internet-connected devices. His work has appeared in Tom's Hardware, Tom's Guide, Maximum PC, Digital Trends, Android Authority, How-To Geek, Lifewire, and others.
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warezme 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.Reply
The point is, they pushed content without permission. -
skit75 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'sReply -
spartanmk2 You accepted Apples ToS and therefor they can push what they want as long as its not charged to your account.Reply -
hitman40 ReplyDrama 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 $100 and I'll bleed, sweat or whatever else for you as well.
The point is, they pushed content without permission.
It is free, for us. Who else matters..lol
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Blazer1985 It is not free. It is "apple free". A 999$ 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 :-)Reply -
Alec Mowat ReplyWow 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. -
Shin-san Reminds me of malicious software removal toolsReply
However, they should have just put it on everyone's iButt