Free music does not sit well with Apple users
We all love music. We all love free things. So, when U2, one of the best rock bands of all time, puts out a brand new album for free and automatically uploads it to every Apple user’s music library overnight, that should be pretty cool. However, many Apple users didn’t appreciate the gift.
The Internet exploded after 800 million Apple users discovered U2’s album, “Songs of Innocence,” in their library. People are calling it a violation of privacy and Noisey.com flat out called it, “deeply uncool.” The backlash has gotten so bad that Apple was forced to release instructions on how to remove the album from your library.
So, what’s wrong with this picture?
Apple has offered free music before, every week in fact, under the “Free Single of the Week” deal. But this time, “Songs of Innocence” automatically ended up in 800 million libraries without say from the consumer. A violation of privacy is one thing, but Apple declared this new album a “gift to you” on the front page of iTunes. Apple gave a gift to millions of people and most of the recipients are begging for it to go.
Some people are concerned that this new mass auto upload means Apple has complete control over their accounts. Now, that’s good cause for alarm, but here’s the thing: Apple is providing free content to users. It’s not like they’re spying on what’s in your library, or deleting anything in there.
This is a gift. Rejecting it completely is the equivalent of winning a brand new car and proceeding to set it on fire.
A new U2 album should be cause for celebration, not backlash. Normally, a brand new album on iTunes costs around $10 to $15 — especially from a band as big as U2. In an age where people complain about iTunes prices for brand new music, the fact that getting an album for free is the worst thing to ever happen is complete and utter hypocrisy.
Free music is free music. No matter how you get it, it’s a gift. If you don’t want a gift, that’s one thing. But to openly express that not only should the gift be taken away, but also that the ones who gave it to you are wrong to do so, would be really weird in any other context.
Nothing about this adds up. A handful of people who don’t like U2’s music are understandable, but the entire community of Apple users?
Apple has been nothing but cooperative in bringing people what they want. Think about the millions of apps and every album in the world on one website for all to download. Giving away music to their loyal customers is not only innovative — it’s almost like a thank you to those who have supported them for years.
It’s not ironic their loyal customers are complaining about their great idea, it’s tragic. Apple could’ve charged everyone for the album and made bajillions, but instead, they chose to give it away. It’s like a billionaire realizing his new invention is too good to be expensive and decides to let everyone have it. Anyone else would’ve congratulated him for that and yet, millions are calling out Apple for doing virtually the same thing.
So, what’s the real problem? Are people rejecting free goods because they don’t want them, or are they realizing they don’t care for those providing them? Either way, it’s hands down one of the most baffling developments of the year — one that not even a psychic could’ve predicted.
Bradley Burgess can be reached at [email protected]