Apple today announced it will donate $1 to the National Park Foundation for every purchase made with Apple Pay at any Apple Store, on Apple.com, or through the Apple Store app in the United States from July 1 through July 15.
Apple Watch challenge inspired by U.S. National Parks
Apple said proceeds will support the National Park Foundation's mission to help protect and preserve national parks.
“America’s national parks are an inspiration to us at Apple, and we know they are as important to many of our customers as they are to us,” said Apple’s CEO Tim Cook. “Our goal is to leave the world better than we found it, so this July we’re making it easier for anyone to help preserve the beauty of our natural, cultural and historical treasures.”
Additionally, on July 15, Apple Watch users around the world can complete a walk, run, or wheelchair workout of 3.5 miles to earn an award and stickers for Messages inspired by national parks. Apple said the distance matches the length of a hike from Old Faithful to Mallard Lake in Yellowstone National Park.
iMessage stickers inspired by U.S. National Parks
Apple said the App Store will highlight a collection of some of the best apps to help users easily navigate and explore the country's national parks.
Sunday February 1, 2026 10:08 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Last year, Apple launched CarPlay Ultra, the long-awaited next-generation version of its CarPlay software system for vehicles. Nearly nine months later, CarPlay Ultra is still limited to Aston Martin's latest luxury vehicles, but that should change fairly soon.
In May 2025, Apple said many other vehicle brands planned to offer CarPlay Ultra, including Hyundai, Kia, and Genesis.
In his Powe...
Thursday January 29, 2026 10:07 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple today confirmed to Reuters that it has acquired Q.ai, an Israeli startup that is working on artificial intelligence technology for audio.
Apple paid close to $2 billion for Q.ai, according to sources cited by the Financial Times. That would make this Apple's second-biggest acquisition ever, after it paid $3 billion for the popular headphone and audio brand Beats in 2014.
Q.ai has...
Sunday February 1, 2026 12:31 pm PST by Joe Rossignol
The calendar has turned to February, and a new report indicates that Apple's next product launch is "imminent," in the form of new MacBook Pro models.
"All signs point to an imminent launch of next-generation MacBook Pros that retain the current form factor but deliver faster chips," Bloomberg's Mark Gurman said on Sunday. "I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated...
Saturday January 31, 2026 10:51 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple recently updated its online store with a new ordering process for Macs, including the MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, iMac, Mac mini, Mac Studio, and Mac Pro.
There used to be a handful of standard configurations available for each Mac, but now you must configure a Mac entirely from scratch on a feature-by-feature basis. In other words, ordering a new Mac now works much like ordering an...
Sunday February 1, 2026 5:42 am PST by Joe Rossignol
Apple is planning to launch new MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips alongside macOS 26.3, according to Bloomberg's Mark Gurman.
"Apple's faster MacBook Pros are planned for the macOS 26.3 release cycle," wrote Gurman, in his Power On newsletter today.
"I'm told the new models — code-named J714 and J716 — are slated for the macOS 26.3 software cycle, which runs from...
I also enjoy these activity challenges. They are not too often, either, so they rarely get in the way of my own workout plan, but they aren't so rare that I stop caring. Very nice balance Apple.
So in all these National Parks there are no animals other than a lonely eagle? Or is that a vulture? Either way it must be hungry with no prey around. Heh. Seriously, if you are going to pay tribute to National Parks then why not give a shout out on the sticker or badge to the endangered species that those parks seek to protect? Seems it would better highlight the work and purpose of the parks.
I wonder if the achievement can be unlocked if we are based in Australia and complete the challenge. I know there has been countless times Apple has set challenges but they haven’t opened it up for Australia and other countries except for the US.
From the article:
On July 15, Apple Watch users around the world can complete a walk, run, or wheelchair workout…
I guess paying people good money + befits to work is a bad thing?
I think the Sentiment is that when more money is spent internally than makes it to the end group in need, it appears to be corruption, i.e. United Way, etc. where the scandals showed high salaries and only pennies making it to the people and projects in need.
