Apple Gives Each Rescued Chilean Miner an iPod touch

The story of the 33 Chilean miners surviving the collapse of a mine for 69 days reached Steve Jobs’ ears who ordered to have an iPod touch sent to each and every one of the survivors as a gift from Apple, according to various sources.

Following a herculean rescue operation that’s sure to go down as one of the greatest ever, the media players were acquired and delivered by Apple's Chile offices without direct executive involvement, reports TUAW, citing the French newspaper Le Figaro.

The paper describes the media players as "personal gifts" from El Steve. The report doesn’t specify whether or not the gifts were last-generation iterations of the popular media player.

The miners reportedly received wraparound sunglasses, for eye protection, books, movies, as well as $10,000 each from an unnamed generous singer, according to NeoWin.

The news was perceived by many as a cheap marketing move on behalf of the Cupertino-based electronics vendor, with some suggesting more expensive Apple products were in order.

Softpedia would dare speculate that it is actually the contrasting image of a just-rescued miner holding an expensive Apple gadget that doesn’t fall well with the public.

After all, the last thing these people need right now are iPods, right? Well, yes, and no.

While the 33 miners may, or may not appreciate the gifts, the iPods from Apple are, in fact, just that - gifts.

Details such as how the miners are going to use them to improve their lives aren’t so relevant, really. What’s relevant is that Apple felt these guys deserved something for miraculously surviving almost three months of being literally buried alive.

The iPod is undoubtedly the most iconic Apple product, so what else was the company going to give them, licenses for Final Cut Studio?

In fact, the iPod is a suitable gift for pretty much anyone.

And yes, it’s a marketing move. Isn’t everything?