Apple has begun promoting Apple Pay as a way for people to donate to several causes amid the ongoing global health crisis. Apple has highlighted four causes in particular that users can donate too with Apple Pay. All the fundraising appeals are on behalf of GoFundMe.org.
America's Food Fund, launched by Leonardo DiCaprio, Laurene Powell Jobs, and Apple, is working to ensure that all people have reliable access to food in this critical time of need.
Frontline Responders Fund is focusing all its resources on getting critical supplies including masks, gowns, and gloves to medical professionals in hospitals across the world.
The Mental Health Fund aims to support the work of several organizations hosting text-based hotlines that offer crisis intervention and a gateway to long-term care.
The Small Business Relief Fund provides micro-grants to qualifying small businesses negatively impacted by the health crisis. The initiative will supply financial assistance and support to U.S. businesses by providing grants, tools, and resources to help during the crisis.
Apple says Apple Pay is the easiest way to donate to the causes you care about: "With no forms to fill out or accounts to create, you can instantly give with just a tap."
Saturday February 7, 2026 9:26 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today shared an ad that shows how the upgraded Center Stage front camera on the latest iPhones improves the process of taking a group selfie.
"Watch how the new front facing camera on iPhone 17 Pro takes group selfies that automatically expand and rotate as more people come into frame," says Apple. While the ad is focused on the iPhone 17 Pro and iPhone 17 Pro Max, the regular iPhone...
Monday February 9, 2026 6:24 am PST by Joe Rossignol
In select U.S. states, residents can add their driver's license or state ID to the Apple Wallet app on the iPhone and Apple Watch, and then use it to display proof of identity or age at select airports and businesses, and in select apps.
The feature is currently available in 13 U.S. states and Puerto Rico, and it is expected to launch in at least seven more in the future.
To set up the...
New MacBook Pro models with the M5 Pro and M5 Max chips could arrive as soon as Monday, March 2, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
In today's "Power On" newsletter, Gurman said that the release of new MacBook Pro models is tied to the release of macOS Tahoe 26.3. The launch is said to be slated for as early as the week of March 2. He added that the M4 Pro and M4 Max models on sale today...
Tuesday February 10, 2026 6:33 am PST by Joe Rossignol
It has been a slow start to 2026 for Apple product launches, with only a new AirTag and a special Apple Watch band released so far. We are still waiting for MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, the iPhone 17e, a lower-cost MacBook with an iPhone chip, long-rumored updates to the Apple TV and HomePod mini, and much more.
Apple is expected to release/update the following products...
Thursday February 5, 2026 12:22 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple plans to announce the iPhone 17e on Thursday, February 19, according to Macwelt, the German equivalent of Macworld.
The report, citing industry sources, is available in English on Macworld.
Apple announced the iPhone 16e on Wednesday, February 19 last year, so the iPhone 17e would be unveiled exactly one year later if this rumor is accurate. It is quite uncommon for Apple to unveil...
"100% of donations (less the 2.9% and $0.30 per donation transaction fee) will go directly to these organizations as they continue to coordinate, mobilize, and distribute meals to those impacted by COVID-19."
They've raised $14,202,400 so far. 2.9% of that is $411,869.60.
Must. Be. Nice.
Of which Visa immediately takes 1.35% and $0.05, Mastercard takes 2% + $.10 for interchange. Plus the cut GoFundMe's merchant bank takes to cover their risk. And the costs of fraud and the services used to detect it. And the costs of your compliance lawyers, since charities are regulated. And at this point we haven't paid for GoFundMe's servers, software engineers, sales and marketing...
Meanwhile, 1.35% is less than the 2% rewards e.g. Chase Double Cash gives out, and doesn't cover the free interest or costs on the Apple/GS side, so the banks are losing money.
Easy to armchair quarterback a business when you don't consider any of the real costs.
That’s great, these all seem like very urgent and important funds. But I have two questions.
- Where has Apple promoted these funds? Is there a press release or an ad or something?
- I was confused by the following line in the article:
All the fundraising appeals are on behalf of GoFundMe.org ('https://www.gofundme.com').
Isn’t GoFundMe just a fundraising platform? Doesn’t “on behalf of” mean that they are the ones who are ultimately asking for or benefitting from these funds? Unless I’m not aware of a different use of the phrase.
