After a few days ago reports detailing U2’s involvement in Apple’s Tuesday iPhone 6 and iWatch launch event were denied by the band, The New York Times says U2 will indeed make a special, surprise appearance at Apple’s event.
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Early reports suggested that Apple might be building a stage near Flint Center in Cupertino, California, where U2 would perform, and that the band’s latest album would be preloaded on the upcoming iPhone 6. Furthermore, the new smartphone may have been either been used in a recent U2 music video shooting session, or the band has shot a commercial for the upcoming product.
The Times doesn’t confirm any of these details but does say that U2 plans to release music in an “innovative” way, with Apple’s event chosen to generate further publicity, rather than simply preloading its latest album on the upcoming iPhone.
This isn’t the first time Apple and U2 have partnered up. In 2004, the band helped Apple launch a special edition iPod that was signed by the four band members. More importantly, this may not be a strictly business deal for either of the parties involved. It’s no secret U2’s Bono and Apple’s Steve Jobs were close, and Beats’ Jimmy Iovine (now working at Apple following the $3 billion Beats acquisition) has been working with U2 for many years while at Universal.
