October 13, 2006: Apple launches its limited-edition iPod nano (Product) Purple Particular Version music participant, with 10% of income going to combat AIDS in Africa.
Created in affiliation with U2 lead singer Bono and activist/legal professional Bobby Shriver, it’s the primary of many Apple philanthropic merchandise. “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 press release.
(Product) Purple iPod nano launch
The (Product) Purple iPod nano was only the start of Apple’s efforts with Bono’s charity initiative. Within the years since, the corporate created a spread of merchandise to profit The World Fund to Battle AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
As an illustration, a one-of-a-kind crimson Mac Professional offered at Sotheby’s for $977,000. A Jony Ive-designed (Purple) Desk offered for $1,685,000. And more-affordable gadgets like crimson leather-based iPhone circumstances additionally got here out in restricted editions. Nowadays, Apple frequently sells iPhones, Apple Watches and different merchandise in daring crimson colours, and (Purple) has expanded its remit to combat pandemics together with COVID-19.
After partnering with the nonprofit for greater than a decade, “Apple has generated nearly $250 million for the Global Fund to support HIV/AIDS programs,” the group stated in a 2021 press launch in regards to the (Purple) variations of iPhone 13 and iPhone 13 mini.
U2 and Apple’s particular relationship
U2’s affiliation with Apple goes again even additional. A longtime pal of Steve Jobs, Bono and his band beforehand teamed as much as launch a U2-themed iPod. Apple additionally used the band’s music in a memorable iPod business.
Bono even purchased Jobs’ Central Park West residence in New York Metropolis from the Apple co-founder for $15 million.
Regardless of this relationship, Jobs may very well be a tough negotiator. And he by no means appeared notably serious about philanthropy. That made him much less prone to support Bono’s charity for the sake of Apple being a “force for good.” Particularly, Jobs abjectly refused to let the (Product) Purple iPod nano be launched underneath the title (Apple) Purple.
Steve Jobs and Bono argue over the title
Different corporations let their names seem in parentheses for the charity. Nonetheless, Jobs thought that will diminish Apple by making the model seem like an afterthought. The argument between Jobs and Bono obtained heated — “to the F-you stage,” in accordance with biographer Walter Isaacson — earlier than they agreed to sleep on it.
Ultimately, they compromised. Jobs let Bono name the product no matter he wished in his personal advertisements, however Apple wouldn’t use something with (Apple) Purple written on it in Apple shops. In each case I’ve seen, the machine was named the iPod nano (Product) Purple Particular Version.
“Steve can be sparky,” Bono later recalled.
Remembering the crimson iPod nano
Did you personal this crimson iPod or every other limited-edition Apple gear? Depart your feedback under.