In support of World Aids Day, Apple turns their Stores (RED)

Apple has been supporting Product (RED), which raises money for the fight against AIDS through a portion of the profits made from (RED) co-branded products, for decade. In that time the company has helped raise well over a hundred million dollars. But they want to do more. So, this year, Apple is providing ways for customers to donate through select App Store game purchases, new accessories sold at the Apple Store including a (RED) Smart Battery Case for iPhone 7, donations made when customers use Apple Pay, the U.S. proceeds of the Killers new Christmas album, and direct donations through iTunes.

Speaking to Buzzfeed news, Apple's CEO, Tim Cook said:

"We look for ways we think we can uniquely contribute to the world in which we live," Cook said. "And we'll always touch more people through our products than anything else. … It's that area — an area in which we have expertise — where we think we can make a contribution that multiplies well beyond simply writing a check. We want to advocate for human rights in a way that people can look at what we're doing and say 'you know, I could be a part of something like that' — 'I could do something like that.' For us this is critically important."

Donate to (RED) directly in iTunes:

The Killers exclusive holiday album:

  • Don't Waste Your Wishes, with all 10 of their holiday singles, as well as a new track, "I'll Be Home for Christmas."

New (RED) products:

App Store games contributing to (RED):

  • Angry Birds 2, with a (GEM PILE)RED in-app purchase, special spell, and a custom set of superhero masks that you can use in the game through December 6.
  • Angry Birds POP!, with a special (BUNDLE)RED in-app-purchase, a special character, and a (RED) themed community challenge.
  • Best Fiends, with (RED) Fiends, including a new hero, the SUPER RARE FIEND Bam, with all proceeds going directly to (RED).
  • Best Fiends Forever, with a special Slap Damage boost or a unique (FOREVER)RED Bundle in-app purchase, which includes a unique Souvenir, (THE RED HERO!), a special 2x damage bonus to all red Fiends, and limited-edition Stickers.
  • Boom Beach, with a (PILE OF DIAMONDS)RED and a special decorative Golden Medic statue to watch over your base for a limited time.
  • Candy Crush Jelly Saga, with an exclusive (TREASURES)RED event where you can battle bosses and steal treasures for a limited time, and a (MARVELOUS MIX)RED bundle that includes boosters.
  • Clash Royale, you can purchase the (HERO PACK)RED which will give you a (POUCH OF GEMS) RED and a limited time red King tower! You can also continue to purchase the (POUCH OF GEMS)RED. (Supercell)
  • Clash of Clans, with (HERO PACK)RED where you can earn a Mighty Hero statue and, for a limited time, (RED) shoulder armor for the Barbarian King. You can also purchase the (PILE OF GEMS)RED.
  • CSR2, with a unique, rare, Tier 5 car, the Bugatti Chiron, specially created for CSR 2 and (RED) by the design team at Bugatti. Owning it will give racers access to a variety of (RED) race events with rare prizes. You can also receive a daily, free crate containing Bugatti fusion parts and rewards.
  • Episode, with new Games for (RED) Demi Lovato and Mean Girls stories that include special (PRODUCT)RED outfits.
  • Farm Heroes Saga, with the ability to match Cropsies, and an exclusive (FIREWORKS)RED event for a limited time. Also an in-app purchase for (HUNTER'S PACK)RED gold bars to boost progress.
  • FarmVille: Tropic Escape, with 3 different premium Hero packages, including the (GEMS)RED Bundle, (LIFEGUARD)RED bundle, and (PARROT)RED bundle, which also unlock exclusive tropical-themed decorations and rewards.
  • FIFA Mobile, with an (ASSIST PACK)RED to unlock limited-edition items and higher value players including 4 Gold and 2 Silver or better players. Also an exclusive (EA SPORTS)RED kit and ball to use in-game, along with the new (PROFILE LOGO)RED to highlight your participation.
  • Hay Day, with a (BAG OF DIAMONDS)RED that'll earn you a special decorative Mr. Wicker statue and the ability to decorate your Roadside Shop with an exclusive RED theme. You can also continue to purchase the (BAG OF DIAMONDS)RED, to place more Mr. Wicker statues on your farm.
  • MARVEL Contest of Champions, with (POWER PACK)RED that gives you 3-Star Daredevil (Classic), 3-Star Elektra, 2x Tier 5 Skill ISO-8 and a (POWER PACK)RED TICKET to access a special quest.
  • Plants vs. Zombies Heroes, with (SUPER BUNDLE)RED containing rare cards with a collection of red teammates and premium cards from the game, including exclusive access to Red Stinger, and and new Games for (RED) missions and quests.
  • PewDiePie's Tuber Simulator, with a pack of exclusive items that let you decorate your in-game room and help get more votes in events.
  • SimCity BuildIt, with the in-app purchase (SIMCASH)RED Pack, including the right to vote on the new bridge type and get exclusive Games for (RED) Collection buildings for your city — (HANGAR)RED, (BALLOON PARK)RED, (HELIPORT)RED and more. Also, a new quest to earn a one-of-a-kind Park.
  • War Dragons, with an all-new dragon, Raetrix, and animated hero avatars.
  • YAHTZEE With Buddies, with (PACK)RED, (HERO TOWER)RED Dice Master Showdown, and (COMMUNITY)RED event. You can earn exclusive prizes like the (HEARTFELT)RED Custom Dice set.

I'll be picking up that battery case and using the direct donation link, how about you?

Apple Turns (RED) with More Ways than Ever to Join the Fight Against AIDS

CUPERTINO, California — November 30, 2016 — In honor of World AIDS Day, Apple® is offering more ways than ever for customers to join (RED) in its mission to create an AIDS-free generation. Apple is the world's largest corporate contributor to the Global Fund, and this year marks its 10th anniversary supporting (RED) in the fight to end AIDS.

(RED)'s critical work addresses the disparity in access to life-saving medication in sub-Saharan Africa, which has the highest prevalence of AIDS on the planet. The money raised by (RED) funds programs that offer counseling, testing, prevention and, most crucially, the life-saving ARV medication that prevents the transmission of HIV from mothers to their unborn babies.

"The gift of life is the most important gift that anyone can give," said Tim Cook, Apple's CEO. "Thanks to the vision and dedication of (RED), an AIDS-free generation is within our reach. We want to leave the world better than we found it, and that's why our longtime partnership with (RED) remains so important to us."

This year, Apple customers can support the fight while playing the games they love, shopping for loved ones ahead of the holiday season or listening to an exclusive (RED) holiday album from The Killers.

For the next week, a range of the most popular games across the App Store® — spanning from racing and sports titles to strategy, puzzle and action games — are offering limited-edition, custom (RED) content, exclusively available on the App Store. All proceeds from the associated in-app purchases go to the Global Fund.

The 20 participating games include Angry Birds 2, Angry Birds POP!, Best Fiends, Best Fiends Forever, Boom Beach, Candy Crush Jelly Saga, Clash of Clans, Clash Royale, CSR2, Episode, Farm Heroes Saga, FarmVille: Tropic Escape, FIFA Mobile, Hay Day, MARVEL Contest of Champions, PewDiePie's Tuber Simulator, Plants vs. Zombies Heroes, SimCity BuildIt, War Dragons and YAHTZEE With Buddies.

In addition to the current (PRODUCT)RED lineup, which is available for customers to purchase year-round, Apple is also adding four new (RED) products including an iPhone® 7 Smart Battery Case, iPhone SE Case, Beats Solo 3 Wireless On-Ear Headphones and the Pill+ Portable Speaker, which are all available today.

Over 400 Apple Stores on five continents will turn their logos red or feature (RED) window decals to raise visibility for World AIDS Day in Apple's most widespread implementation of support for (RED) at its stores. Apple Store employees will share all the ways our customers can join us in supporting (RED) and the fight against AIDS.

Starting tomorrow through December 6, Apple is donating $1 to (RED)'s mission for every purchase made with Apple Pay® at an Apple Store®, on Apple.com or through the Apple Store app, up to $1 million. Bank of America will also make a donation for every Apple Pay transaction using its cards, also up to $1 million.

Customers around the world can also easily donate directly to (RED) through iTunes®. In the US, iTunes Movies is offering a free download of The Lazarus Effect, the documentary about the mission of (RED).

The Killers' holiday album, Don't Waste Your Wishes, is exclusively available on iTunes featuring all 10 of their holiday singles, as well as a new track, "I'll Be Home for Christmas," with 100 percent of the proceeds in the US going to the Global Fund.

Over the past 10 years, 70 million lives have been impacted by (RED)-supported Global Fund grants. At the start of Apple's partnership with (RED), 1,200 babies were born with HIV every day, and today, UNAIDS predicts that number could be near zero by the year 2020, with the end of AIDS by 2030.

With the life-saving medication costing as little as 30 cents a day, every person can make a difference. Through these efforts we'll get that much closer to helping (RED) create an AIDS-free generation.

Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV. Apple's four software platforms — iOS, macOS, watchOS and tvOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay and iCloud. Apple's more than 100,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth, and to leaving the world better than we found it.

Rene Ritchie
Contributor

Rene Ritchie is one of the most respected Apple analysts in the business, reaching a combined audience of over 40 million readers a month. His YouTube channel, Vector, has over 90 thousand subscribers and 14 million views and his podcasts, including Debug, have been downloaded over 20 million times. He also regularly co-hosts MacBreak Weekly for the TWiT network and co-hosted CES Live! and Talk Mobile. Based in Montreal, Rene is a former director of product marketing, web developer, and graphic designer. He's authored several books and appeared on numerous television and radio segments to discuss Apple and the technology industry. When not working, he likes to cook, grapple, and spend time with his friends and family.