Apple Thoughts - News & Reviews on all things Apple

"In a move that looks to the future of applied technology, Apple has donated five of its famous, and well-liked iPad tablet devices to the state of Oregon as part of a trial program to help those who are disabled, or otherwise might have difficulty, to vote."

Oregon had to spend approximately $75,000.00 USD to build the software, but Apple gave them the devices to use in this new program. According to the Secretary of State, several slate or tablet devices were tested before they chose to use the iPad. The reason? "The iPad was the simplest, most accessible and convenient device to use." You can read the AP story here.

"So not only were you an original iPad adopter, but now you're one of the lucky few to have the iPad 2, while others now have to wait almost five weeks."

So if you aren't going to use that broken down original iPad, why not donate it to Teach for America? You can drop your iPad off at any Apple retail location and they will then give it to Teach for America so they can supply the teachers across the 39 urban and rural areas across the U.S. Good program and Apple certainly makes it easy to give don't they?

"In a bid to preserve some of the best modern industrial design for future generations, Smithsonian's National Design Museum, the Cooper-Hewitt, is asking Apple fans to donate their old and not-so-old devices."

They want items in excellent condition with all the chords, batteries, etc that the items came with, and the donor will be given credit whenever the item is displayed or published. It doesn't sound like it actually has to work, just has to look good, but I'm sure they would prefer something that is functional. I also think you could also get a tax write off for the donation, but check with your accountant of course. Some of the things listed on the blog entry are a Newton, 1st generation iPhone and a Macbook Air, circa 2008. If you have anything you want considered, email Cynthia Trope at tropeci@si.edu.