For iTunes, I guess its just a huge loss leader to get people to the store. Also, they're getting press in publications like Forbes, CNET & WSJ that normally wouldn't cover a new U2 release. I completely see the benefit from U2's side - they can launch a massive tour later this year for their fans that didn't have to think twice about obtaining the new album. Not just a single, no email list signup required, no messy zip file downloading from a band site, no recursive bandcamp authorization emails.
This is too big of a story to ignore - U2 and iTunes are literally giving the entire new U2 album away free to anyone with an iTunes account. U2 "Songs Of Innocence" iTunes | Artist Site Every iTunes customer - more than 500 million people, but who's counting? - get the band's new album free in what CEO Cook calls the largest record release in music history." Full CNET article here. Solsman & Share Tibken: "Apple's iTunes scores U2's new album.