SAN JOSE, California -- As expected, Apple CEO Steve Jobs on Tuesday introduced a U2-branded iPod and a new photo iPod capable of storing a large music and photo library.
Available in mid-November for $350, the 20-GB, black U2 iPod features a bright red scroll wheel and the band members' signatures laser-engraved on the back.
"It's the only special-edition iPod in the known universe," said Jobs, who unveiled the device at a special event in downtown San Jose attended by U2 band members Bono and the Edge.
In addition, Apple Computer on Nov. 23 will sell U2's entire catalog as a $150 digital boxed set. The Complete U2 includes the band's entire catalog of 16 albums -- 400 tracks, including several rare and unreleased tunes.
Jobs said the boxed set would run to more than 30 CDs. "It's impossible to have this product in the physical world," he said. "But in the digital era, you can buy the product with the push of a single button."
"It's mind-blowing," said Bono. "It's like having your entire life flashing before you."
"This represents a very unique twist on the concept of music distribution," said Tim Bajarin, president of Creative Strategies. "It shows how somebody like Apple can be the best friend of a musician. I'm most interested to see how other major bands will try to work with Apple or some other MP3-player vendor."
The Edge and Bono sang a couple of tunes from the new U2 album, How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb, which also goes on sale Nov. 23.
Bono and the Edge also praised Apple's pioneering approach to digital music distribution with iTunes and the iPod.
"That's why we're here today, to be a little part of music history," said the Edge.
Bono said music labels were stuck in the past. He mocked executives who still call it the "record industry."
"We haven't made records for years," Bono said.
The Edge said he was both "excited and appalled" by Napster, but online distribution clearly represented the future of music.
"As long as we find a way to get paid, this ultimately would be a good thing," he said. "I see this as the beginning of a new era in the distribution of music. It's a good thing."
Jobs also announced new online iTunes stores for Canada and Europe, which adds 12 new European countries, including Belgium, Finland, Greece and the Netherlands.
The Canadian store had been delayed because of licensing issues, Jobs said. "We finally got it all worked out," he said.
Jobs also introduced the iPod Photo, a device with a color screen that stores up to 25,000 digital pictures in addition to thousands of music tracks.
Available immediately, the iPod Photo comes in a 40-GB version for $500 and a 60-GB version for $600.
Mike McGuire, an analyst with GartnerG2, said the Photo iPod is a logical extension of the current device and makes more sense than a portable video player. People are more likely to want to share photos of their kids and dogs than their wedding video, he said.
The iPod Photo comes with an A/V cable for displaying pictures and music-accompanied photo slide shows on TVs or projectors.
"Your entire music and photo library in your pocket," said Jobs. "We think you're going to like it a lot."
The iPod Photo can show album art and contacts or calendars in color. It auto-synchronizes with iPhoto or the My Photos folder in Windows.
Wearing his characteristic jeans and turtleneck, Jobs looked thin but fit after his recent cancer operation.
"Isn't it great to see Steve so fighting fit?" said Bono, to a big round of applause from the couple hundred journalists and guests at the event in San Jose's California Theatre.
Jobs also announced a range of whimsical iPod cozies. Available in six colors, iPod Socks will go on sale in November for $30.
