Rumor: Apple's 'iPhone 6' event may feature U2 tie-in

Bits of circumstantial evidence set the Apple rumor mill churning on Wednesday, with reports hinting U2 is somehow connected with the company's Sept. 9 media event expected to bring word of a new iPhone lineup.

As discovered by The Sunday Times, the rock band closed down Samuel Beckett Bridge in Dublin, Ireland last week to shoot a video some suggest ties in with Apple's iPhone media event.

Music promoter Stephen Browne managed to sneak a blurry-cam photo of the scene, saying on Twitter, "Looks like @U2 new album maybe preloaded on to iPhone6. The focus of the 'video' on the bridge last week was a phone." Seen above, the picture does appear to show a phone, though the "evidence" is anything but conclusive.

With the "iPhone 6" expected to be a highlight of next week's gathering, rumblings out of Dublin claim Apple will preload U2's upcoming album on one or more handset models, a move that would be unprecedented for a company intent on keeping "bloatware" down to a minimum.

Another rumor from Twitter came from CNET reporter Shara Tibken, who heard tell that U2 frontman Bono might make a special appearance at the Sept. 9 event, possibly as a performer. It has been speculated that a two-story structure Apple built outside of Flint Center — the Sept. 9 event cite — could serve as an impromptu stage for such a show.

Aside from being a friend of late Apple cofounder Steve Jobs and current SVP of Design Jony Ive, Bono has worked with the company through the (RED) initiative to fight AIDS. As of June, Apple has raised some $75 million for the worldwide charity by selling branded (RED) iPods and accessories.

Late last year, Ive joined forces with designer Marc Newson to auction off (RED)-themed items, including a one-of-a-kind Mac Pro that sold $977,000. Bono even had a hand in designing a pair of gold EarPods.