If you really want to remove this from your library

Sep 16, 2014 00:10 GMT  ·  By

You woke up one day and saw a whole U2 album in your iPhone or computer. So did 500 million iTunes users and some of them freaked out. Most did because they had no idea what U2 was and how it had got there, and others did because Nicki Minaj or some other commercial hit were far more important to keep around. 

Apple tried an experiment with U2. During the final moments of the Keynote speech, Tim Cook, Apple's CEO, promised U2's lead singer, Bono, that he would push their latest album for free to everyone. Lo and behold, a few hours later, iTunes users were seeing that in the libraries and the album "Songs of Innocence" was showing up as purchased.

Free as in... not wanted?

This may not be U2’s greatest album, but there are some potential hits in there. Apple has also discounted all the other U2 albums, so you can pick and choose your favorites. But some people were mad. Even though the album was free. Funny tweets or serious questions showed up online talking about this situation.

Just 3 days later, Apple found a solution to remove this album from anyone interested in doing that, for some strange reason. They have just released a...

U2 removal tool

Yes, this has to be a first. After forcing it to their users, Apple released a special page that takes the U2 music out of your library. All you have to do is go to this page and click the big button that says "Remove Album."

iTunes editors explain that, once the album has been removed from your account, it will not be available to re-download as long as you don't choose to. It's good to know that "Songs of Innocence" will be free until October 13 2014. After that date you will only be able to buy it for its regular price. Maybe, after you buy it, you will see the real value of the album and not complain about it being forced onto your device.

Reports talk about Apple giving out $100 million to U2's label for copyright and distribution rights. However, neither the Cupertino giant nor U2 has posted any comments on that. Apple even went so far as to recreate a classic iPod commercial to celebrate the launch of this album.

If you are on the other side of the fence and you want to get this, make sure you follow this link to get your own Songs of Innocence for free. You still have about 28 days to go.