Apple and U2 Interactive Music

In September 2014, U2 signed a $100 million-dollar deal with Apple where their music will be given to Apple users free for a limited time. Although their partnership was something that was seen before with Jay Z and Samsung, but was for Samsung cellphone users only. A week after their album was released, it was reported that U2 and Apple are working on a new digital music format. This is something that the music industry will be paying close attention to. Bono has said that it will be “an audiovisualinteractive format for music that can’t be pirated and will bring back albumartwork…”. Apple and U2 are hoping that this new interactive music format will have people buying music again.

This is a very good deal for U2 because music-streaming sites are becoming more popular and people are not paying for music. I am not sure if Apple will benefit from this because they currently own Beats streaming service and their new interactive music format might drive customers away. Another issue consumers might have with Apple, is that it will only be compatible with apple products and not other mp3 players or cellphones.

If it is compatible with all other products other than Apple, I do think that music companies will go to it. Music companies and artists want to make money and if this new interactive music format will allow them to decrease the number of music piracies, YouTube and music streaming then they will do a test run. Bono has said that this new digital format will be available in 18 months, but they have not mentioned what artist or album will be the first to utilize this new format. If successful, then I see not only Apple changing the way consumers listen to music but other companies like Google and Amazon.