iPhone 3GS prototype scooped up at airport, now on eBay

Seriously folks, what's up with these prototype iPhones falling out of nondescript white vans and ending up on eBay in the shadiest of manners? Just months after we saw an original iPhone prototype (ancient OS included) pop up on The 'Bay, now we've got one of the world's first iPhone 3GSs on there as well. According to the highly ranked eBay seller, the "guy" he "got it from" actually stumbled upon it at an airport, and rather than doing the nonsensical thing of hitting up lost and found, he decided to make the most of the sudden opportunity. According to the new owner, an Apple Genius has confirmed that it is an iPhone 3GS, but due to its prototype nature, they can't help him get past the "Connect to iTunes" screen. In other words, it's an incredibly rare brick. If that sounds like just the thing to complete your collection, you can visit the road to overpaying through the read link below.

[Via ElectricPig]

[Jakob Posted Jul 3rd 2009 3:18PM]

"(Ive prototyped / tested a product fir Apple before)"
No you haven't-

[Solipsism Posted Jul 3rd 2009 3:23PM]

Yes, by looking at your post I can see that you exhibit the demanding attention to detail that Apple prizes.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 3rd 2009 3:25PM]

And I am Steve Jobs.

[Lando Calrissian Posted Jul 3rd 2009 3:27PM]

Boo frickin' hoo, you didn't get listed, probably because you weren't the first. Deal with it.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 3rd 2009 3:22PM]

Really?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 3rd 2009 3:49PM]

does it bother no one that Ebay is fencing stolen goods?

[Denji Posted Jul 3rd 2009 4:52PM]

You mean like Kijiji, Pirate Bay, Demonoid, sometimes Amazon.. And then all those sites that sell flash carts and mod chips for game systems to play backed up games when they are not your own..

Not really.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 3rd 2009 5:15PM]

I have a prototype macbook pro that I bought off Craigslist. Do a google search for "macbook pro prototype boing" and you'll see.

If Apple took down my auction for a prototype macbook pro from 2006, they'll take this down just as quick. The best part is that not only will they not let me sell it on eBay but they won't communicate with me about it in any shape or form. If anyone wants a prototype macbook pro, let me know....

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 3rd 2009 5:29PM]

Hey, guys! I am the one who listed it on ebay. I did not find it, I BOUGHT IT off ebay. Tried to make it working with no luck, cause at that time Firmware for this iPhone was not available. I contacted the seller to get more info on where did he get it from, and got the answer "found at the airport". SO I AM RESELLING THIS PHONE!!! And I did went to Apple Store 3 Times, Called Apple about it and agreed to have a brand new 3G S in exchange for this prototype, but they did not hear me, so what should I do with it??? What would You do in my case???? Once again, this is a confirmed iPhone 3G S, but Apple wont support it. I feel am mad at myself I did not list it before 3G S came out - that would be a true sensation!!!

[jsnm Posted Jul 3rd 2009 5:44PM]

What was the auction number when you purchased it?

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 4th 2009 2:20PM]

If the phone is stolen, like you just admitted, then the only thing you should do is take it to the police.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 3rd 2009 5:56PM]

Ebay item number 150343471275

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150343471275&viewitem=&sspagename=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123&salenotsupported

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 3rd 2009 5:59PM]

Ebay item number: 150343471275

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=150343471275&viewitem=&sspagename=ADME:X:RTQ:US:1123&salenotsupported

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 4th 2009 10:42AM]

You could probably fix the phone by using the rslite application that was the beta for the Redsn0w JB, you would connect to it using Libusb and rslite and "clearenv" and "saveenv 1" (I forget which one of them needed a 1 after it)

[Imbob Posted Jul 3rd 2009 6:55PM]

Just checking the picture!

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 3rd 2009 7:12PM]

Transformers!

[amnes Posted Jul 3rd 2009 7:36PM]

Maybe it has always been a brick.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 3rd 2009 7:57PM]

It takes the 3gs firmware, and rejects the 3g one, serial number sequence states it's a 3gs, and it lights up just like 3gs, also I confirmed with the apple store and apple product specialist that this is an iPhone 3gs. It might have the 3g plastic, but hardware is definitely 3GS. Thanks

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 3rd 2009 8:10PM]

Also To the poster of this blog - You better contact me first before publishing madeup ideas. I am glad to answer on all You questions.
Also in reply to RUS - apple has no trace for this phone in the database (that's what they told me) so how come somebody states it was stolen if no records exists for this serial number. Think before posting.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 3rd 2009 11:35PM]

I think all iphones look the same so I don't know if it is really a 3GS or an 3G, Because the letters at the back were grey but not chrome, but anyhow.

All of this is apple's fault!!lol

If they could make a new design to every generation, we won't be guessing what type of iphone it is!!!!

[zzlock Posted Jul 3rd 2009 11:39PM]

that's cool

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 4th 2009 12:05AM]

Check my ebay page, I did open the phone to take couple pictures and show how it looks inside. As You will see - it is an iPhone 3GS Prototype.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 4th 2009 12:24AM]

If you ask me, it sounds pretty shady to me. I mean come on... Who would seriously believe that this guy would just find it sitting around... Not likely.
-David
http://www.woodfieldlabs.com

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 4th 2009 12:34AM]

Which guy are You talking about? I bought it on ebay thinking that this is iPhone 3G, I did not realize it's prototype 3GS until 3GS came out....

[techAU Posted Jul 4th 2009 6:57AM]

I wonder if it supports full OS video output like Steve demo's on stage. If so, that'd be pretty damn handy.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 4th 2009 7:25AM]

Starting price: US $200.00 May-04-09 14:19:42
Buy it now price: US $300.00 May-04-09 14:21:38

Now that's a purchase only 2 minutes after it was put on sale. Amazing that you found it so quickly and decided to purchase it almost instantly given the description of the phone.

[Nukem Posted Jul 4th 2009 8:30AM]

I dont think Apple will take down the auction b/c they probably dont care. The phone was probably reported lost by the tester and remotely wiped and bricked.

[(Unverified) Posted Jul 4th 2009 8:42PM]

Uh if I'm not mistaken there is fine print on credit cards that state you are required to return it to the issuer. Finders keepers is a major FAIL.

[aaronxx Posted Jul 5th 2009 12:44AM]

buy my zune. do it! http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260440729737