Apple may be planning red iPod to help fight AIDS
Activist and rock singer Bono may soon partner with Apple Computer on a red-colored iPod to help promote a new project aimed at battling AIDS, according to reports.
The U2 frontman last week unveiled the project, dubbed Product Red, at the Davos World Economic Forum, as first reported by Macworld UK.
The charity hopes to raise money to help finance the fight against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Africa by persuading the world's biggest companies to release special Product Red-branded goods, giving part of the profits to the fighting fund.
The news has sparked rumors that Bono may have applied a little leverage in his relationship with Apple chief executive Steve Jobs to persuade the Cupertino, Calif.-based iPod maker to release a Product Red-branded iPod.
The rumors first emerged when a note in the January 20th edition of the popular celebrity gossip newsletter, Popbitch, reported that the singer was overheard at Dublin's Michelin-starred Patrick Guilbaud restaurant "discussing a new charity red Am Ex card and red iPod."
Last week the rumors gained considerable momentum when Bono announced an initial list of corporations that have agreed to specially design merchandise for the cause, including Gap, Converse, Giorgio Armani and American Express.
True to rumors, the latter corporation announced a new, no-fee credit card in the UK called American Express RED3. For every pound spent on the card, American Express promises to donate a minimum of 1 percent to the Product Red charity.
"American Express RED will be the first credit card to meet payment needs of a new and growing group of individuals termed 'Conscience Consumers'," American Express said in a statement. "These are consumers who make decisions about the brands they purchase based on their social, ethical, and environmental values."
Apple has reportedly declined to comment on the "rumors and speculation" of a red iPod.
Meanwhile, AppleInsider continues to hear rumblings that the iPod maker is planning a special music event or announcement later this month to introduce new iPods and other music products suspiciously omitted from the company's opening keynote presentation at Macworld in January.
If Apple is indeed planning a Product Red-branded iPod, such an event would likely serve as an ideal launch-pad for the device.
The U2 frontman last week unveiled the project, dubbed Product Red, at the Davos World Economic Forum, as first reported by Macworld UK.
The charity hopes to raise money to help finance the fight against HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Africa by persuading the world's biggest companies to release special Product Red-branded goods, giving part of the profits to the fighting fund.
The news has sparked rumors that Bono may have applied a little leverage in his relationship with Apple chief executive Steve Jobs to persuade the Cupertino, Calif.-based iPod maker to release a Product Red-branded iPod.
The rumors first emerged when a note in the January 20th edition of the popular celebrity gossip newsletter, Popbitch, reported that the singer was overheard at Dublin's Michelin-starred Patrick Guilbaud restaurant "discussing a new charity red Am Ex card and red iPod."
Last week the rumors gained considerable momentum when Bono announced an initial list of corporations that have agreed to specially design merchandise for the cause, including Gap, Converse, Giorgio Armani and American Express.
True to rumors, the latter corporation announced a new, no-fee credit card in the UK called American Express RED3. For every pound spent on the card, American Express promises to donate a minimum of 1 percent to the Product Red charity.
"American Express RED will be the first credit card to meet payment needs of a new and growing group of individuals termed 'Conscience Consumers'," American Express said in a statement. "These are consumers who make decisions about the brands they purchase based on their social, ethical, and environmental values."
Apple has reportedly declined to comment on the "rumors and speculation" of a red iPod.
Meanwhile, AppleInsider continues to hear rumblings that the iPod maker is planning a special music event or announcement later this month to introduce new iPods and other music products suspiciously omitted from the company's opening keynote presentation at Macworld in January.
If Apple is indeed planning a Product Red-branded iPod, such an event would likely serve as an ideal launch-pad for the device.
Comments
It would very much inspire me to get a Fifth Gen iPod instead of waiting for the 6th Generation.
I am sure a red iPod would be real stylish and a new colour for the eye
(Still got a 40 GB 4th Gen which is more than enough really)
Does it have longer battery life?
Does is reintroduce FireWire as a connection option?
Does it include an A/C Adapter?
No. Then, who cares. It's red. Big deal.
(Noble cause. Just have Apple donate to the charity.)
i think it would be a great idea if apple got involved and released a special red ipod.
Originally posted by initiator
Is it more scratch resistant?
Does it have longer battery life?
Does is reintroduce FireWire as a connection option?
Does it include an A/C Adapter?
No. Then, who cares. It's red. Big deal.
(Noble cause. Just have Apple donate to the charity.)
If im not mistaken, i think the point of the Red iPod is to help fight AIDS. The iPod might not be different, but its for a good cause. I understand this, but maybe its because i have a heart:-)
good PR
Oh, and if someone wants to be seen as being for a good cause, carrying a red iPod would symbolize that. (Even if you just wanted a red iPod and couldn't care less about diseases and Africa, you'd take the good vibes.)
So it just seems like a win all-around.
And will we soon hear about a red Xbox 360?
Originally posted by TednDi
The company that brings you a virus free OS now brings new awareness to fighting a deadly virus...!
good PR
LOL. Seriously this is a great idea even though I'm not crazy for a red colored iPod at all.
If they want to donate to AIDS charities, then give money from the Black iPod sales. They'll be way higher anyway.
The red looks hideous. I completely agree with initiator's original post. They ought to make the new iPod a compelling buy for people, THEN give the money to charity. Just throwing red dye into the plastic mix is hardly a way of saying "Hey, let's get serious about raising some money for this cause"
Originally posted by rageous
Fugly.
If they want to donate to AIDS charities, then give money from the Black iPod sales. They'll be way higher anyway.
They could just donate money from all sales. That or just singling out an existing product doesn't help raise awareness of the issue.
Quote:
The red looks hideous. I completely agree with initiator's original post. They ought to make the new iPod a compelling buy for people, THEN give the money to charity. Just throwing red dye into the plastic mix is hardly a way of saying "Hey, let's get serious about raising some money for this cause"
Apparently, the iPod is already a compelling buy for people.
This policy of "we're a rich company but we've a good heart because we donate 1% of the ugliest iPod we released and we join U2 for being so kewl", is just stupid, and it should damage the image of Apple rather than improving it.
But given that most of the people looks pleased about the idea... it seems I'm alone here.
Originally posted by sockit2me
Hmmm... what do you want to bet that Apple is buying some add time for this years superbowl?
Wouldn't that be a great way of stealthy introduction of a new product. Out of the blue like a bolt of lightning is the i****!
It would get all of the media attention even if it isn't the red ipod!
It would be all over the news and would be BAM right in the middle of America's living room!
Originally posted by TednDi
Wouldn't that be a great way of stealthy introduction of a new product. Out of the blue like a bolt of lightning is the i****!
It would get all of the media attention even if it isn't the red ipod!
It would be all over the news and would be BAM right in the middle of America's living room!
Especially if the announcment is geared towards the living room, yes?
Your entire target market will be watching. I've always thought that that was the real reason they held off on announcments at Macworld. They knew it wouldn't be ready until after the superbowl and they knew they'd be able to drum up a ton of publicity if they announce a brand new platform, a la 1984.
The iRemote. The thing you pick up when you put your iPod down. It's coming.
Originally posted by ThinkDifferent
How many days before a special event does Apple send out the invitations to the Media??
I think it's been somewhere around 6-8 business days.