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Bono, Oprah, and a red iPod?

Tom Krazit Former Staff writer, CNET News
Tom Krazit writes about the ever-expanding world of Google, as the most prominent company on the Internet defends its search juggernaut while expanding into nearly anything it thinks possible. He has previously written about Apple, the traditional PC industry, and chip companies. E-mail Tom.
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Tom Krazit

World diplomat and U2 frontman Bono will introduce a new iPod model during tomorrow's Oprah Winfrey Show to benefit the singer's Product Red program, AppleInsider.com reported Thursday. (Friday morning update: To read about the actual product release, click here.)

Nano Red

The new iPod will, according to the report, be a red version of the latest 4GB iPod Nanos introduced in September. The Chicago Tribune reported Thursday that Winfrey bought ten of the red iPod Nanos during a promotional appearance at Apple's Chicago retail store, which shouldn't put too much of a dent in the billionaire's checking account.

Bono's Product Red project raises money for AIDS research by encouraging well-known companies like Apple, Armani, or Converse to release special products and donate a portion of the proceeds from those products toward the purchase of AIDS drugs for victims of the disease in Africa. The Apple announcement will mark the first time the products have been made available in the U.S., according to the Tribune.

Apple and Bono have a long-standing relationship. Apple first released a U2 Special Edition iPod in 2004, and updated the product this year. U2 has also appeared in several commercials for the iPod and iTunes.

Bono is scheduled to appear on Oprah tomorrow, according to the Project Red web site as well as Oprah's site. Oprah tapes her popular show in Chicago, where the two celebrities appeared Thursday. An Apple representative had no immediate comment on the reports.