| Cult of Mac

Today in Apple history: Bono’s (Product) Red iPod nano fights HIV/AIDS

By

The limited-edition (Product) Red iPod nano raised cash for a worthy cause.
Did you own this special edition iPod?
Photo: Wikipedia/Re-ality CC

October 13: Today in Apple history: Bono's (Product)Red iPod nano fights HIV/AIDS 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 employees have raised $880 million for charity since 2011

By

Apple and its staff support organizations and communities around the world through volunteer work, donations and learning programs.
Apple and its staff support organizations and communities around the world through volunteer work, donations and learning programs.
Photo: Apple

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.

Here’s how you can help Apple in the fight against AIDS

By

Here's a range of (Product) Red devices that help support the fight against AIDS.
Here's a range of (Product) Red devices that help support the fight against AIDS.
Photo: Apple

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.

Apple has raised $220 million to fight AIDS-related deaths in Africa

By

Apple has raised $220 million to fight AIDS-related deaths in Africa
Apple raised money through Bono's Project (RED) charity.
Photo: Killian Bell/Cult of Mac

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.”

Jony Ive’s $250,000 ring dazzles with a unibody diamond

By

Jony Ive ring 1
A one-piece diamond ring looks spectacular. But it'll sure as heck cost you!
Photo: Sotheby's

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.

Do lackluster sales mean HomePod’s doomed? Catch the discussion on The CultCast

By

X-ray view of HomePod
Is HomePod nearing its end, or just getting started?
Photo: Apple

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.

Our thanks to Squarespace for supporting this episode. It’s simple to accept Apple Pay and sell your wares with your very own Squarespace.com website. Enter offer code CultCast at checkout to get 10 percent off any hosting plan.

Beautiful RED iPhone X mockups show what could have been

By

iPhone X mockup
iPhone X would like killer in RED.
Photo: Martin Hajek

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: