Get email updates with the day's biggest stories Invalid Email Something went wrong, please try again later. Sign up Thank you for subscribing We have more newsletters Show me See our privacy notice When Apple launched its first iPod back in 2001, fans were shocked by the $399 price-tag. But fast-forward 18 years, and the original iPod is now worth a significantly larger amount, if one eBay listing is anything to go by. The eBay listing is for a first-generation iPod that’s factory sealed and still in its unopened original box. The seller, called ‘bestgadgets’, has listed the iPod with an eye-watering asking price of $19,995 (£15,367). (Image: Apple) To put that in perspective, that’s over 50 times the original price of the iPod! In its description, bestgadgets wrote: “I am a longtime Apple device collector, and this 5-Gigabyte iPod has been in my personal possession for almost two decades, kept in cool temperatures and away from sunlight. Video Loading Video Unavailable Click to play Tap to play The video will auto-play soon 8 Cancel Play now “I guarantee that it has been completely unused and untouched inside its original packaging, along with its iconic headphones, charging accessories, and manuals.” While you might think that the huge price-tag would put off many consumers, it appears that this isn’t the case. As of the time of writing this, there are 235 people watching the auction! We’ll have to wait and see how much it goes for…<doc-sep>When Apple unveiled the original iPod back in 2001, the reactions weren’t universally positive. Indeed, some fan reactions on a MacRumors message board at the time have since taken on a life of their own. As an illustrative example, one outraged Apple fan wrote the following nearly 18 years ago: “I still can’t believe this! All this hype for something so ridiculous! Who cares about an MP3 player? I want something new! I want them to think differently! Why oh why would they do this?! It’s so wrong! It’s so stupid!” Related Stories: Apple's new iPhone 11 design leaked by multiple reliable sources Famed Apple designer says the iPhone UI is a design fail - here's why he's wrong Bloomberg: Three new iPhone 11 models coming with reverse charging, big camera upgrades Of course, the iPod would go onto become monumentally successful for Apple. In addition to padding Apple’s bank account with billions of dollars, the iPod helped upend the music industry and, years later, would serve as the springboard for the iPhone. The iPhone may be a more revolutionary and impactful device, but it simply wouldn’t exist had the iPod not paved the way years ahead of time. While some iconic products can still be found for cheap — with Apple’s original Bondi Blue iMac being one such example — others are wildly expensive. The original iPod falls into the latter category. Hopping on over to eBay, someone is selling a completely unused and factory sealed original iPod for $19,995. And in a testament to how ancient the device is, the iPod in question features a mechanical scroll wheel and a paltry 5GB of storage. To be fair, though, 5GB of storage back then was more than enough for a world where the only media content people cared about was music. Is forking over $20,000 for an original iPod completely unnecessary, if not downright insane? Of course. Then again, never underestimate the power of nostalgia. Story continues BGR Top Deals: Trending Right Now: See the original version of this article on BGR.com<doc-sep>NEW A vastly improved search engine helps you find the latest on companies, business leaders, and news more easily.<doc-sep>
Apple devices famously hold their value well, and if they’ve never been used, they can fetch a lot more than they originally cost. But would you pay $19,995 for a classic iPod? That’s exactly how much one eBay seller is asking for a first-generation unit that comes in its “unopened original box.” The original iPod was priced at $399 when it made its debut back in 2001. Steve Jobs touted its ability to put “1,000 songs in your pocket” during the device’s unveiling. That’s pretty pricey when you consider that you can buy a brand new iPad for that money today. But it didn’t stop the iPod from being one of Apple’s most successful products of all time. Obviously you can’t buy the original from the Apple Store 18 years later. They are available relatively cheaply on the second-hand market — unless you want yours sealed in its original packaging. iPod goes on sale for $19,995 This particular model has never been opened and still sports its original factory shrink wrap, according to the seller. It is hoping to fetch at least $19,995. That might sound crazy, but it’s actually $5 less than the $20,000 an original iPod reportedly fetched on eBay in 2014. The listing currently has 41 watchers. In case you need a reminder, the first iPod offers 5GB of storage on a spinning hard drive, plus a 2-inch greyscale display. It can be connected to a Mac or PC via FireWire, and promised up to 10 hours of use in between charges. Will you be placing a bid? Via: MacRumors