While the medical community is still scrambling to find a cure for AIDS, it doesn't mean you can't fight it. The iPod with the heart of gold, also known as the the iPod nano RED, is Apple's way of helping fight AIDS in Africa. The company pledged to give US$ 10 from the sale of of its special edition Red iPod nano.

Initially, the the iPod nano RED was available only in 4GB (US$ 199). But the company has just released an 8GB version for those of you who want to fight AIDS and store 2,000 songs and 25,000 photos on a digital music player. Aside from a bigger capacity, the iPod nano RED also features:

• Brilliant, 1.5-inch color display
• Up to 24 hours of battery life
• Seamless iTunes integration
• A durable aluminum enclosure
• An eye-catching red color that says you care
  

The iPod nano RED is expected generate millions of dollars for The Global Fund. Apple also plans to donate proceeds from iTunes Red gift card to the organization. The iPod nano RED is available at Apple Store retail locations and the Apple Store online.

What is it about Red anyway? What is it about Apple's "Red" Nano that makes it so hot? (I mean, other than the color.) Perhaps it's because that with every purchase of the product, Steve Jobs and his space monkeys will donate ten dollars to the Global Fund to Fight AIDs in Africa. A lot of kind-hearted souls out there huh?

You see, though MacScoop's sources could not reveal the exact numbers, they believe the company has received hundreds of thousand orders for the Red Nano in the first two weeks. A quick examination of Apple's online store sales top 10, shows that the "Red" Nano is a big seller.

MacScoop says that given the huge number of sales that Apple has registered for the Red Nano, the company is considering to release other Red products. They say that possible products include, a red MacBook, a red iMac, and a red video iPod. Macscoop does add though that it might be too early to predict with certainty the arrival of other Red products as a new color in any of Apple's line-up means a whole lot of production and inventory management.

Oh the costs of operation.

Anyway all this red-hotness makes Bono come to mind. We're thinking that people just want to look cool, I mean, cool enough for someone like Ms. Hilton to go "that's Hot" at that Nano that you've got hooked near your crotch, and then at the same time make yourself feel as philanthropic as Mr. I'm-cool-enough-to-wear-shades-indoors Bono.

Yep it's Bono-ism I tell you.

Last May, we reported on the teamup of U.S. Cellular, Motorola, and the Global Fund to help fight HIV/AIDS in Africa. Today, U.S. Cellular and Motorola holds up their end of the sky, announcing that the RED MOTORAZR V3m is now available to support the same cause.

The MOTORAZR V3m is the first in a series of products in the United States to support the Global Fund, as well as to raise awareness in order to help the people of Africa fight AIDS. For every handset sold, US $17 will be directly contributed to the fund by the companies.

Says Ron Garriques, president of Motorola Mobile Devices, "Motorola is thrilled to bring U.S. Cellular into our partnership with (RED) and the Global Fund... Together, we are offering consumers the opportunity to make a difference in the fight against HIV/AIDS in Africa and create real change in the world."

On the other hand, U.S. Cellular is the first wireless carrier in the nation to offer the RED MOTORAZR with the same cause for motivation.

The mobile itself makes a striking statement with its ultra-thin design, aircraft grade aluminum housing and spun metal keypad. With features like the (RED) screen savers, a 1.3 megapixel digital camera with 4x digital zoom and video capture, playback and streaming, this mobile was meant to make heads turn. And hopefully, with all the joint efforts of these companies and foundation, it will also help fill heads with the proper awareness on the disease, as well as concern for those affected with it.

The Motorola RED MOTORAZR V3m is now available at MOTO(RED) Chicago through U. S. Cellular for US $79.95, with a two-year contract. For those who would wish to have a handset upgrade, they can purchase the mobile for the same price. As for its availability in U.S. Cellular stores across the country, expect it to paint the town red by November.

Now that's being red hot with a cause.