U2 proved themselves corporate tools yesterday. 

U2 released their new album for free on iTunes. While half a billion people may benefit from the Irish band's largesse, it is still a corporate ploy that only caters to the growing musical monopoly of Apple products.

In a live webcast yesterday, U2 announced that their long-awaited new album, "Songs of Innocence," can be downloaded now by anyone who has an ITunes account. Those who have not succumbed to growing Apple iTunes monopoly, still have to pay.

The iconic rock band lit up the stage playing live at the end of an Apple product announcement event in California, rocking the crowd with their new single "The Miracle (of Joey Ramone)." After the feedback died, vocalist Bono and the test of the band joined Tim Cook, the chief executive of Apple, on stage ad announced that their new album, "Songs of Innocence," was complete.

The rumors that were going around said U2 was  supposed to perform at Apple's much-hyped news conference to shill for Apple's new iPhone 6. There was no warning that the band would make the other surprising announcement.

Bono and Cook announced that U2 new album, would immediately be available for free on iTunes.

Since the band's last album, Bono and the Edge, U2's guitarist, penned songs for the Broadway musical "Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark." The band dropped two songs, "Ordinary Love," from "Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom," and the single "Invisible." The songs are not on "Songs of Innocence."

The title "Songs of Innocence," comes from the poems of William Blake. The album is rumored to be autobiographical. In the liner notes Bonoe says the songs are a collection of "first journeys." "Iris (Hold Me Close)" is named after Bono's momm Iris Hewson, who died in 1974. Bono grew up on "Cedarwood Road" which is in Dublin where Bono grew up. The band also gives shout outs to their biggest inspirations: Joey Ramone of the Ramones and Joe Strummer of the Clash.