October 13, 2006: Apple launches its limited-edition iPod nano (Product) Purple Particular Version music participant, with 10% of income going to struggle 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 clients the selection to purchase a pink iPod nano and assist girls and youngsters affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa,” Bono says in an announcement.
(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 Combat AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.
As an example, a one-of-a-kind pink 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 pink leather-based iPhone instances additionally got here out in restricted editions. As of late, Apple commonly sells iPhones, Apple Watches and different merchandise in daring pink colours, and (Purple) has expanded its remit to struggle pandemics together with COVID-19.
After partnering with the nonprofit for greater than a decade, “Apple has generated practically $250 million for the World Fund to assist HIV/AIDS applications,” the group stated in a 2021 press launch concerning 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 good friend 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 house in New York Metropolis from the Apple co-founder for $15 million.
Regardless of this relationship, Jobs might be a tough negotiator. And he by no means appeared significantly inquisitive about philanthropy. That made him much less more likely to assist Bono’s charity for the sake of Apple being a “power for good.” Particularly, Jobs abjectly refused to let the (Product) Purple iPod nano be launched beneath the identify (Apple) Purple.
Steve Jobs and Bono argue over the identify
Different corporations let their names seem in parentheses for the charity. Nonetheless, Jobs thought that will diminish Apple by making the model appear as if an afterthought. The argument between Jobs and Bono bought heated — “to the F-you stage,” in keeping with biographer Walter Isaacson — earlier than they agreed to sleep on it.
In the long run, 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 gadget was named the iPod nano (Product) Purple Particular Version.
“Steve could be sparky,” Bono later recalled.
Remembering the pink iPod nano
Did you personal this pink iPod or another limited-edition Apple gear? Depart your feedback beneath.