Apple CEO Tim Cook tweeted a couple of photos of a visit yesterday to the Apple Store in Georgetown, Washington DC, to help promote World AIDS Day. He was accompanied by (RED) CEO Deborah Dugan, who tweeted a couple of additional photos from the visit (show below) …
Cook tweeted that Apple Stores around the world were RED, a reference to white Apple logos being replaced by red ones, and staff wearing red t-shirts.
[tweet https://twitter.com/tim_cook/status/539562401793052674]
(RED) CEO Deborah Dugan noted in her tweet that Apple has so far raised $75M for the charity.
[tweet https://twitter.com/debdugan/status/539523735733432320]
This is, however, a number Apple released back in June, so will presumably be significantly higher following the holiday sales weekend. We’ve asked Apple for an updated figure.
Apple supported (RED) by donating a percentage of sales from both retail and online sales on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, as well as the full proceeds of in-app purchases from Garageband until 7th December.
The company also took the unusual step of sending a push notification to iOS users promoting the Apps for RED programme – a move that led to a certain amount of debate on Twitter. Some developers and Apple commenters objected on the basis that App Store notifications are opt-out, meaning that most iOS users receive them while third-party app notifications have to be opt-in. Others viewed it as a worthwhile step to promote a good cause.
From Apple’s App Store Review Guidelines:
- 5.5: Apps that use Push Notifications to send unsolicited messages, or for the purpose of phishing or spamming will be rejected
- 5.6: Apps cannot use Push Notifications to send advertising, promotions, or direct marketing of any kind
Apple’s (RED) notification defies its own guidelines for App Store approval, which do not allow push notifications to be used for promotional purposes. However, many apps ignore the guidelines and Apple does not typically enforce this, and Apple effectively joining in may be seen as legitimizing the practice.
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Great, now I have this warm, fuzzy feeling because Apple is doing something good. I actually just bought a (RED) iPod for my daughter, so I am feeling even better.
But I wish Apple executives spent 24/7 at Cupertino working to improve their products and services instead of doing selfies, giving interviews and talking about their private lives.
You do realize that Apple has over 40K corporate employees who are working each day on Apple’s products and services. Tim Cook giving an interview or doing a selfie has zero impact on the work they’re doing.
So you think Tim Cook, Jon Ivy etc doing their job or not has zero impact?
@Klaus No, I think when Tim Cook or any other Apple executive gives an interview or makes a public appearance, they ARE doing their jobs.
Looking at the success of the latest iPhones and the company as a whole, I’d say he’s doing his job better then any other CEO is doing theres.
Cannot speak for others, but I find all this rather unpleasant. The almost repressive and threatening nature of left wing thinking today means that anyone who has an opposing opinion is treated unfairly, and that is an understatement. I’m willing to bet that a % of 9to5mac readers (and others) will probably hold an opinion similar to mine, but like me, fear to express it, not to stifle debate, but out of fear of being insulted simply for holding a view. One thing I will say, for Apple to push a message to iOS devices like this is appalling and undemocratic. That’s it, the rest of my view on the whole AIDS thing would occupy at least a UK A4 page or more.
You think a single push update and some tweets that you can easily ignore are unpleasant, repressive, unfair and threatening? Try having AIDS and no one caring, I’d wager that’s much worse.
Oh, so you’re a minority now?
Poor baby…
You sound like a healthy right winger to me, so…
Being a good right wing person and all, you do care about children, correct?
And of course, in classic right wing views, we wouldn’t want them to provide reproductive rights to women, so, no abortion, right?
So, do try to think about it this way:
-You’re helping unborn children from getting a terrible, life threatening disease before they’re even born.
What’s wrong with that?
If you get it like that, I’ll take it.
Just shut your trap, donate, buy a (RED) App; anything. And do something good for a change.
Try it. You’ll like the feeling.
Your words, not mine. My view on this has nothing to do with the issues you state about, but the fact on one hand, liberals want to be able to have sex in a manner that is a proven cause of AIDS (yes, it is), and then have big pharma spend millions on trying to cure their self induced ills. If I give any money to charity, it goes to Ebola or other issues that is not caused by intelligent people who have no sense of personal responsibility but like to dwell in their self pity. I lived in California for 10 years and 8 months of that in San Francisco. 100% constant marches and moaning by fairly wealthy people whose selfish attitude was so embarassing I left.
I am well educated, compassionate and very gay rights (as I am anyone else’s rights), but on a personal level, have no time for people who each chocolate with one hand and demand weight reduction assistance with the other – if you get my meaning. If you know that something you like is bad for you (and others), don’t do it, or do it in such a way that doesn’t cost the state or others money that could be used elsewhere.