A first-generation iPod in a sealed, never-opened box fetched a staggering $40,264 during an auction run by RR Auction this month.


This appears to be a record-breaking sale price for an original iPod at auction, with the previous known record being $29,000 in 2023. The latest price fetched does include a 25% buyer's premium charged by RR Auction.

In the U.S., the original iPod was priced at $399 at launch.

Introduced by Steve Jobs in October 2001, the iPod helped Apple to become successful again, after it flirted with bankruptcy in the late 1990s.

Jobs famously pitched the iPod as offering "1,000 songs in your pocket," and he unveiled the device by pulling it out of his own pocket.

"With iPod, Apple has invented a whole new category of digital music player that lets you put your entire music collection in your pocket and listen to it wherever you go," he said. "With iPod, listening to music will never be the same again."

Here are the features advertised on the original iPod's box:

• Holds over 1,000 songs at near-CD quality on 5GB hard drive


• Up to 10 hours of continuous playback with rechargeable lithium polymer battery


• Super portable at 6.5 ounces and only 0.78 inch thick, 2.43 inches wide, and 4.02 inches tall


• Automatically synchronizes music and playlists with iTunes on your Mac


• Unique scroll wheel for simple, one-handed navigation


• Plays MP3, WAV, and AIFF formats


• Skip protection of up to 20 minutes (yes, minutes)


• High-resolution backlit LCD display


• Includes iPod, Apple Earphones, FireWire cable, and AC adapter

In addition, a sealed-in-box original iPhone with a rare 4GB of storage (8GB is more common) fetched $81,989 at RR Auction this month.


While that is not a record price for an original iPhone, it is still a staggering amount of money for a device that cost $499 when it launched in 2007.
This article, "Original 2001 iPod in Sealed Box Sells for Eye-Watering Price at Auction" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Apple One allows you to subscribe to a bundle of up to six of Apple's services for a discounted all-in-one monthly price, and its value just went up in an artificial way.


The reason why Apple One just became more valuable is because Apple TV+ received a price increase this week in the U.S. and select other countries. In the U.S., for example, the cost of the service increased from $9.99 per month to $12.99 per month. However, Apple One plans with Apple TV+ did not receive any corresponding price increases.

There are three Apple One tiers, all with Apple TV+ included:

• Individual ($19.95/month): Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and iCloud+ (50GB)


• Family ($25.95/month): Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, and iCloud+ (200GB)


• Premier ($37.95/month): Apple Music, Apple TV+, Apple Arcade, Apple News+, Apple Fitness+, and iCloud+ (2TB)

All in all, you can now potentially save even more money by switching to Apple One as opposed to paying for Apple TV+ and other services separately.

Alternatively, you can switch to the annual Apple TV+ subscription, which also avoided a price increase. In the U.S., that plan remains available for $99 per year.

Many streaming services like Disney+ and HBO Max offer annual plans at a discount compared to paying for 12 months individually, although it is worth keeping in mind that there is an opportunity cost to paying in full upfront.

This is a win-win situation for Apple, which gains an instant revenue boost from customers who stick with the monthly Apple TV+ plan, while boosting the appeal of its Apple One and annual Apple TV+ plans with a higher spend or longer commitment.
This article, "Apple One Just Became More Valuable Than Ever" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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Now through August 29, Apple will donate $10 to the National Park Foundation for every purchase made in the U.S. using Apple Pay on Apple.com, in the Apple Store app, or at an Apple Store, up to a maximum of $1 million.


Apple has supported the National Park Foundation with this annual charitable initiative since 2017.

The non-profit organization "generates private support and builds strategic partnerships to protect and enhance America's national parks for present and future generations."

Apple celebrates U.S. national parks every August with special content across services like the App Store, Apple Maps, Apple Fitness+, and Apple Podcasts. Apple Maps has a Discover America's National Parks guide for hikes, Apple Fitness+ is offering a selection of Time to Run episodes inspired by national parks, and Apple Podcasts is featuring "The Wild with Chris Morgan" episodes that spotlight various national parks.

Apple also promoted the National Park Service app as App of the Day in the App Store.

Additionally, on August 24, Apple Watch users can unlock a special national parks award in the Fitness app, and animated stickers for the Messages app, by recording a workout of 20 minutes or more with any app that adds workouts to the Health app.

Apple CEO Tim Cook is a national parks enthusiast. In 2022, he said the parks provide a "sense of awe, tranquility, and quiet reverence only nature can inspire," and he emphasized that they are "well worth protecting, today and for every generation to come."

All of these initiatives are timed with the National Park Service's birthday on August 25.
This article, "Apple Celebrates National Parks With Apple Pay, Apple Watch, and More" first appeared on MacRumors.com

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