We have good news for all of you U2 groupies. Apple has gone in the closet to quietly drop the price of its U2 iPod Special Edition from $329 to $279, possibly to keep it in line dollarwise with its standard 5G iPod, which retails for $249. This 5.5g iPod features 3.5 hours of video playback, a brighter screen, 640 X 480 game support, quick scroll, and an extended battery playback life of up to 14 hours. It also has 30GB storage space with room for 7,500 songs, up to 25,000 photos, and up to 75 hours of video.

Offered under its new model number (MA664LL/A), the U2 iPod is still stylishly sheik in black with a red click wheel and U2 signatures, and comes with an iTunes Store coupon which is redeemable for a 30-minute package of U2 music and band interviews. We’re thinking that for the $30 extra, we’ll wait for the Signature Rolling Stones iPod.