U2 gives away new album to Apple customers at iPhone event

WASHINGTON, Sept. 9 (UPI) -- As if introducing two new iPhones, a brand new payment system and the Apple Watch wasn't enough, Apple capped off its keynote event by giving away U2's brand new album to all iTunes subscribers.

The Irish band performed live at the keynote, announcing the immediate release of the LP, Songs of Innocence. The band finished the album last week, and with its release Tuesday, will instantly become the "biggest album release in the history of music."

Songs of Innocence was made immediately available to 500 million iTunes users, as well as on iTunes Radio and Beats Music, and would remain exclusive to Apple through October 13.

Apple also released an ad, which looked much like the old iPod ads featuring U2 to celebrate the release.

(Apple/U2)