by J. Accarrino & B. Maas

Forbes.com, a website not known for spreading false rumors, reports that rock band U2 inked a deal with Apple to sell a special Black iPod preloaded with their new album, How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb. This will mark U2's 11th album along their 25+ year music history.

Invitations have been sent out by U2 for a special music-oriented event set for October 26th. The invite says, "Steve Jobs, Bono and The Edge invite you to attend a special event;" however, press relations departments at Apple and U2's label, Interscope Records, declined comment about the event.

It's unclear if Apple will debut the 'U2 Black iPod' as 'PhotoPod-capable.' The much rumored 'Photopod' is expected to feature a color screen for digital photo
display and storage.

Asides from the black faceplate, the 'U2 Black iPod' will include rock group's forthcoming album, 'How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb,' in addition to other tracks commemorating the band's 25-year music history.

U2's new single, Vertigo, was released exclusively through iTunes. The band can also be seen in a new 30-second iTunes/iPod commercial.

[The Black iPod image shown above is only a concept photo and not the official 'U2 Black iPod.']