Bono Miffed Apple Wouldn’t Let Him Design iPods
9:51 am, April 7th, 2009, Pete Mortensen
U2’s lead singer Bono recently revealed in an interview with a DJ in Toronto that his ego knows no bounds. The band’s quiet break-up with Apple in favor of first Palm and now RIM? Well, it’s all because Steve Jobs wouldn’t let him help out with the hardware and software design of the U2-branded iPod.
“[RIM] is going to give us what Apple wouldn’t — access to their labs and their people so we can do something really spectacular,” Bono told Alan Cross.
Hmm. While I’ve always been impressed with U2’s ability to design an experience, ala ZooTV and the PopMart Tour, I can’t say that I have any confidence that U2’s input could have in any way, shape, or form improved the iPod. I’ll trust Apple’s creatives more than U2’s…singer.
This collaboration has fail written all over it.
Globe and Mail via Electronista via Digg
Posted by Pete Mortensen in iPhone, iPod | Comment on this article
Bono is a partner in Elevation, a private equity firm that owns about half of Palm. Connect the dots.
Manula, on April 7th, 2009 at 11:28 am
I laughed my ass off when I read this on MacNN.
Church of Apple, on April 7th, 2009 at 11:39 am
Jeez Paulie, get a clue. The U2 iPod was a great piece of design. Both striking and understated, It had just enough visual cachet, but made your music an equal, if not larger part of the (initial) introduction.
What would you have done different? Put some ugly graphic on the front case? Besides quality control, expense, and finding a manufacturer who can do it, it’s a great idea! Or maybe you wanted to be involved in the software? And Jobs will produce your next album. You raised a sh*tload of money from this player. but based on the press release I didn’t see anyone beside U2 getting the proceeds. And Apple distributed your massive box set without you having the expense of pressing a single CD. Not exactly the [product] RED iPod, was it?
Go ahead with RIM. you’ve got a smaller potential market, less prestige, and principal users who can’t show up in meetings with phones that may look like something a low-level propeller head thinks is appropriate for the work environment. Yeah, that’s a lot better than an iPhone with a classy U2 logo on the back, a few specialized screen graphics, and exclusive U2 ring tones. Where do I get in line for the U2-berry?
imajoebob, on April 7th, 2009 at 12:07 pm
Although I am a U2 fan, I am not impressed by the thought of Bono designing an iPod. Why doesn’t he let Steve Jobs co-write his next album?
Joseph I'm a Mac, on April 7th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Bad reporting. he said NOTHING about hardware. later in the article they mention software. you are making a leap saying U2 wanted to design an ipod.
Alan Moon, on April 7th, 2009 at 1:09 pm
WAIT !!!!!11!!11OneThousandEleven!!11!!
You all don’t understand — Bono’s a man of the PEOPLE, man!
He was gonna make a PEOPLE’S iPod, man!
But those imperialist coporate facsist running jackals over at Apple don’t seem to GET that, man!
CaryMG, on April 7th, 2009 at 1:45 pm
Wonder how Bono would react if Steve Jobs asked him if he could start writing some of U2’s songs. What with saving the world from global warming, solving poverty in Africa and churning out mediocre music I’m surprised he’s got any time available.
Blue Man, on April 7th, 2009 at 2:18 pm
Why is Bono even popular? He sucks. His music sucks. Please get out of my radar.
David, on April 7th, 2009 at 5:09 pm
Boy that reporting is so bad I’m not sure I’ll continue reading your site.
Jeb, on April 8th, 2009 at 3:57 am
Sounds like Bono fancies himself as a real-life Buckaroo Banzai: Rock star, scientist, engineer, brilliant neurosurgeon, defender of the poor — a hero for us mere mortals.
What a pretentious twat! But what do you expect from someone who insists on being called “Bono” when his real name is Paul David Hewson? And let’s not forget that he’s in a rock group with someone who goes by the moniker “The Edge.”
Fred_M., on April 8th, 2009 at 7:53 am
U2?
Thrash!
But they did not twisted apple harms, it was apple that messes with them.
they do what they do best, business.
Apple has OTHING to partner with such people.
Coca Cola and Pepsi was bad enough!
I hope they learn this time!
Deocliciano Okssipin Vieira, on April 8th, 2009 at 8:58 am