After a five-year hiatus since No Line On The Horizon in 2009, the world-class Irish band U2 released their new album "Songs of Innocence" on Tuesday afternoon and giving it for free to at least 500 million Apple iTune Users in 119 countries. The release date coincides the introduction of the latest iPhone and Smartwatch held in California  by Apple CEO Tim Cook.

In the event, Bono talks about the new album and how 'mind-blowing' is its idea to let it be shared for free to iTune users. "The most personal album we've written could be shared with half a billion people - by hitting send. If only songwriting was that easy." Bono said.

Despite free copies, reports from the New York Times proclaimed that the U2 tracks are not entirely for free and Apple has paid the veteran Irish band $100 million for them to grant rights to publish their songs in iTunes, a marketing strategy for Apple's new products. Universal Records are also said to be paid for the release.

"This is a gift from Apple to their customers. They bought it and they are giving it away." U2's new manager." Guy Oseary said.

A commercial for Apple meant to be for a global television campaign is one of the highlights of the event with U2 performing live.

Critics from Metro UK cannot help but be reminded of U2's original 80s and 90s style in the Songs of Innocence tracks especially songs like "The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone)" and "Every Breaking Wave". The latter is said to have a modern U2 touch. In general, the album talks about universal issues like home, family, relationships and discovery.

Non iTune users and the general public had the chance to listen to the album in Dave Fanning's RTE 2FM show on Tuesday evening, a tradition that U2 has kept for decades in all their albums.

This is not the first reported collaboration between U2 and Apple as it can be remembered a decade ago that Apple produced a U2 special-themed iPod.