Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) has this year withheld the yearly Holiday gifts offerings in a clear departure from the tradition. People with insider knowledge had earlier leaked reports that Apple did not plan to participate in 12 Days of Holidays this year. The promotion is also known as 12 Days of Gifts. The company apparently decided to call off the popular promotion that has been running for six years since 2008.
Missing in action
There have not been official reports from the company to address the 12 Days of Gifts issue this year. However, the fact that the program has not been released almost a few days to the New Year seems to confirm the fear that Apple opted to suspend it this year.
In the previous years, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) treated its Apple Store users to daily deals available for 24 hours. The deals included a wide range of apps and services. Last year, Apple gave App Store users in the U.S., Canada and Europe various music offerings under the 12 Days of Gifts promotion. With the withdrawal of 12 Days of Gifts this year, it is not clear why the company made the move or even whether it will reintroduce it in 2015.
The Interview on iTunes
In the absence of 12 Days of Gifts for 2014 promotion, Apple Inc. (NASDAQ:AAPL) is still giving its users another opportunity to be happy this holiday season. The company is carrying the controversial film known as The Interview on iTunes. The Interview is a product of Sony Corp (ADR) (NYSE:SNE).
Apple has made The Interview available on iTunes for purchase or rental. Users of iTunes can purchase the film for $14.99 or rent it at $5.99. With the offering of The Interview, Apple becomes one of the few channels to carry the controversial film that most movie theatres refused to run because of terror threats. The film is about a plot to assassinate the North Korean ruler, Kim Jong-Un.
Sony Pictures suffered a devastating cyberattack in what is believed to be linked to the controversial film. The company had earlier announced the suspension of the Christmas Day release of the film but later released it through online platforms. Making of the film cost Sony $44 million. It reportedly used another $30-$40 million to market it.
