Some bands welcome the exposure that P2P file sharing gives their music. U2 is not one of those bands. They recently announced plans to release just one single from their upcoming album, “No Line On The Horizon” as a free download. Before they were ready to do that it seems the entire album has made it way onto P2P networks.
It apparently started with an Australian online music store putting the tracks up for sale early. Someone at the store, GetMusic, noticed and it was removed, but not before several people had managed to buy it. As you would expect torrents quickly appeared on trackers like The Pirate Bay.
This isn’t the first time a U2 album has been available via P2P before its official release. In 2004 “How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb” appeared on the internet more than two weeks ahead of its official debut. The new album isn’t slated for release until March 2.
Perhaps their management will see this as another opportunity to call out ISPs, for not spying on their customers.
Result for: official debut
The mobile phone carrier O2 has announced that it will be the exclusive carrier for the popular Apple iPhone in Ireland following its successful launch in the UK last year.
The official debut for the device in Ireland is slated for March 14th. The device will sell in O2’s retail stores and also through “Carphone Warehouse” retail stores. The smaller capacity 8GB model of the iPhone will sell for €399 including VAT. The larger capacity 16GB model will retail for €499 including VAT. Obviously the device will work with both Macs and PCs.
The different service plans will be available from O2, with the cheapest beginning at €45. Each plan will have anytime minutes, text messaging and a 1GB data bundle at least.
More details when they become available.
