iPod U2 Special Edition (Late 2006)

reviewed by Eddie Hargreaves

When Apple updated its iPod lines in mid-September, it seemed like the U2 Special Edition would be left behind, seeing as how the new video-capable model was just introduced in June. But Apple has been kind enough to not only endow the U2 edition with all the newest bells & whistles of the regular iPod but also drop the price accordingly.

The Fifth Generation (Late 2006) U2 iPod has the following new features:

brighter display, increased battery life (14-hours for music, 3-1/2 hours for video), search interface and newly-designed earbuds.

The new earbuds do not come with the black foam covers. Personally, I found this change annoying as the earbuds slipped around and out of my ears without the foam. I eventually broke down and picked up some extras at Radio Shack for a few bucks. However, I've also heard from others that they prefer the new earbuds and don't miss the covers at all.

Also missing is a Software Install CD. But considering this iPod requires iTunes 7, which was only just released (and will probably be updated by the time this review is printed) expecting users to download a copy isn't too much. And the lack of an AC Adapter, though not a new loss, is also irritating.

So what separates this model? What do you get for the extra $30? As with previous special editions, the front is black, the clickwheel is red with white labeling and the back is engraved with the band members' signatures. But the back is now black metal instead of the traditional silver. This aspect is incredibly stylish and pictures can't truly capture what it looks like.

The original U2 iPod included a $50-off coupon for The Complete U2 set from the iTunes Music Store. This model instead comes with an iTunes Store code you can redeem for an exclusive 30-minute U2 video titled "Love U2." This is an arguably better deal than the coupon, which was only valid towards defraying the $150 cost of the "digital box set."

The video contains the following live tracks:

•  Mofo from PopMart, Mexico, 1997
•  I Will Follow from Queen's University, Belfast, 1981
•  God Part II from Lovetown, 1989
•  Where The Streets Have No Name from Zoo TV, Sydney, 1993
•  Beautiful Day from Elevation, Boston, 2001
•  City of Blinding Lights from Vertigo, Milan, 2005.

It seems like an impressive list but for the fact that half of the tracks have already been made available on VHS and DVD releases over the years. And because the video is "protected" with Apple's Fairplay DRM, you cannot separate it into its respective segments to shuffle up among other U2 videos. It would be a much better bonus if Apple created The Complete U2 Videos and gave a $25 coupon off that. There are a lot of rare videos that U2 fans would gladly plunk down money for to get a good copy of.

Overall, this model is worth the extra $30 if you're a fan of the iPod and U2. The black metal backing alone is almost impressive enough to warrant it. Just make sure you get a case that can show it all off!