U2 to appear in California for the launch of Apple’s new iPhone 6

U2 are in Cupertino, California, for the much-anticipated launch of Apple's new iPhone 6 on Tuesday, The Irish Times can confirm.

It’s understood the band will be appearing at the 10am (6pm Irish time) launch of the new phone, with their new album being available for streaming exclusively on the phone.

Over the last few days, rumours have been circulating about a possible U2/Apple iPhone6 collaboration. However, these were dampened by the band's official spokeswoman saying yesterday: "They are not releasing their album on the iPhone and they are not performing at the iPhone launch."

That statement was accurate, but the band will be appearing at today’s big launch, albeit not performing; and while the album will not be officially released, it will be available to be streamed on the device.

U2 have had a long relationship with Apple. The band appeared in advertisements for Apple's iPod in 2005 and they are close to the people behind Beats headphones – Jimmy Iovine and Dr Dre.

Earlier this year Apple bought Beats and it is understood the new iPhone 6 will come preloaded with the sound system.

Video shoot

It now appears that a U2 music video shoot on the Samuel Beckett bridge in Dublin a few weeks ago was not a U2 video shoot, but an Apple iPhone 6 ad featuring the band. There was very tight security at the shoot with banks of umbrellas being used to block photography.

The release of the iPhone 6 has been heralded as a “game changer” in the mobile phone/tech world.

The device is expected to shift millions of units in its first few days of release with a JP Morgan analyst predicting that the new device will trigger record iPhone sales with some 100 million sold before the end of the year.