October 13, 2006: Apple launches its limited-edition iPod nano (Product) Red Special Edition music player, with 10% of profits going to fight AIDS in Africa.
Created in association with U2 lead singer Bono and activist/attorney Bobby Shriver, it’s the first of many Apple philanthropic products. “We’re ecstatic that Apple is giving their customers the choice to buy a red iPod nano and help women and children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa,” Bono says in a statement.
Apple and its employees have raised more than $880 million in charitable giving for nearly 44,000 groups all over the world since the Employee Giving program started 11 years ago, the company said Thursday.
As part of that, more than 76,000 Apple workers have put in over 2.1 million volunteer hours. Apple matches employee giving and volunteer hours with donations, too, in addition to its corporate grants to organizations.
Apple recognized World AIDS Day Thursday with a reminder about how customers can join the fight to end AIDS. They can help through Product (Red) purchases, downloading and sharing new red Apple Watch faces and other means.
Purchases of Apple (Product) Red devices help support the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, a major nonprofit fighting HIV/AIDS worldwide.
Over the past 13 years, Apple has contributed $220 million to help fight the spread of AIDS-related deaths in Africa. Tim Cook made the announcement on Twitter Sunday, marking World AIDS Day.
“AIDS-related deaths have fallen by more than half since 2004,” he wrote. “Together we can achieve an AIDS-free generation.”
Want to show your Apple-loving significant other that you really care about them? If so — and you happen to have $150,000-$250,000 at your disposal — you might want to participate in a new Sotheby’s auction for a diamond ring designed by none other than Sir Jony Ive and BFF Marc Newson.
The one-of-a-kind ring was designed to raise money for (RED), a charity that raises money to fight HIV and AIDS in Africa. Over the years, Apple has raised millions of dollars for the charity — and Ive has had the chance to design one-off objects such as minimalist desks in the process.
This week on The CultCast: HomePod sales are already stumbling — is it doomed? Plus: Face ID could replace passwords on your favorite websites; the death of Touch ID scheduled for this fall; and our hands-on reviews of an $80 tech-packed coffee cup, a beautiful new HomeKit smart lock, and the all-new Mavic Air drone.
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Apple missed a golden opportunity to bust out a RED iPhone X to go with the (PRODUCT) RED iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus based on the latest mockups from our favorite Apple concept artist.
Martin Hajek came out with some renderings of what the iPhone X would look like with a red coat of paint and it’s absolutely stunning.
Take a look:
Despite poor demand for iPhone X, Apple seemingly forgot about its flagship smartphone when designing the (PRODUCT)RED iPhone 8. This gorgeous concept video below gives us a taste of what could have been — and proves there should be a (PRODUCT)RED iPhone X in the future.
Apple’s fancy new (PRODUCT)RED iPhone 8, now available to preorder for delivery next Friday, ships with an exclusive new wallpaper. It’s already available to download, which means you can enjoy it on any iPhone without having to fork out $700 for a new one.
Apple is now accepting preorders for its new (PRODUCT)RED iPhone 8 and iPhone 8 Plus. Prices start at $699, and both devices are scheduled to start arriving on Friday, April 13.
Apple’s new (PRODUCT)RED leather folio case for iPhone X, priced at $99, is also available to order now.
