Apple 1
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Ben Heck builds an Apple 1 from scratch, and you can too
If you don't have the near-US$1 million to spare to buy a genuine Apple 1 computer, why not build your own working replica? Master model Ben Heckendorn (AKA Ben Heck) does just that in a new three-part episode of element14's The Ben Heck Show. In this first episode, Ben talks about the origins of the Apple 1, solders up a breadboard with sockets for RAM, ROM and the Apple 1's 6502 CPU, loads up an EEPROM with code for BASIC and the Woz Monitor, then takes the electronics for a run with the help of an oscilloscope. Heck says that he'll try to come up with a case (with that 1970's design sensibility) in a future episode, and it looks like he's going to outfit the Apple 1 with an LCD display and keyboard. It's a bit on the technical side, but if you like the smell of solder and happen to have an oscilloscope sitting at your side, go for it.
Daily Update for November 18, 2013
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
Working Apple 1 fails to get a single bid at auction
By now we're all fairly used to hearing about the record-breaking prices original Apple 1 computers are selling for at auction. However, over the weekend, a working Apple 1 computer from a group of the first 50 that were made went up on the block in Germany, and not only did it fail to sell -- it also failed to get a single bid. The opening bid was only set at €180,000 (about US$243,000), which was relatively reasonable considering a previous Apple 1 sold at auction for $671,000. This working Apple 1 was expected to fetch between €250,000 to €400,000 ($338,000 to $540,000). It wasn't all bad for Apple products at the auction however, as an original Twiggy Mac sold for €25,000 (about $34,000), though a Lisa 1 also failed to attract any bids. If anything, the lack of bids for an original working Apple 1 goes to show that the historical-computer market is as finicky as the high-art market.
Rare Apple I sold for $387,750 in online Christie's auction
Late last month, Christie's kicked off an auction for a rare Apple I computer with its original manual, schematics and a photo of the two Steves. The online-only auction ended today at a lower-than-expected US$387,750, according to a press release from Christie's. Pre-auction estimates suggested the piece of Apple history could sell for as much as $500,000, as previous auctions for Apple I computers fetched up to $671,400. The Apple I was part of a larger group that included a total of 10 iconic items from Apple's history. Besides the Apple I, the First Bytes collection also included an Apple Lisa, a prototype Apple IIGS and a 20th Anniversary Macintosh limited to 12,000 units. All the auctions ended today, and we will update the prices for these vintage Apple items when they become available. [Via CNBC] Show full PR text APPLE-1 SELLS FOR $387,750 FIRST BYTES: ICONIC TECHNOLOGY FROM THE TWENTIETH CENTURY ONLINE-ONLY AUCTION FEATURING VINTAGE TECH PRODUCTS INCLUDING THE ORIGINAL APPLE COMPUTER, APPLE-1 New York/London/Paris/Hong Kong – An original Apple computer, now known as the Apple-1, sold for $387,750 at Christie's auction of vintage tech products, making it the highest priced item to ever be sold through Christie's new online-only platform. The Apple-1, one of the first 25 Apple-1's ever assembled, inscribed with the serial number 01-0025 in black ink was designed and hand-built in 1976 by Steve Wozniak, who later signed his work "Woz." Christie's saw traffic to the First Bytes online-only sale page from 96 countries with 77% of the viewers new to Christie's.
Rare Apple I to be auctioned off by Christie's
Once again, a rare Apple I will be up on the auction block. According to a report from the AP, a 1976 Apple I will be up for grabs at Christie's auction house where the bidding will begin at US$300,000. It's estimated that the iconic computer may end up going for $500,000 by the time bidding closes. "This is a piece of history that made a difference in the world, it's where the computer revolution started," said Ted Perry, a retired school psychologist who owns the old Apple and has kept it stashed away in a cardboard box at his home outside Sacramento, Calif. It's estimated that only 200 or so Apple I units were ever produced, with the number of units still in existence believed to be in the 30-50 range. Recently, Apple I machines have been fetching exorbitant amounts at auctions worldwide. This past May, for example, a working Apple 1 sold for $671,400 at a German auction house. Before that, an Apple I yielded $640,000 at a Sotheby's auction. The Christie's auction, which will be held online, will begin on Monday, June 24 and will run through July 9.
The After Math: Internet trends, Apple TVs and Samsung's Finnish triumph
Welcome to The After Math, where we attempt to summarize this week's tech news through numbers, decimal places and percentages. The launch of the Xbox One may be behind us, but we still have plenty of numbers to crunch. Speaking of ones, this week we saw a record-setting auction for an old Apple 1, a multi-tabbed refresh of our inbox and the release of Mary Meeker's annual Internet Trends Report. Add to that some big names taking the stage at D11, an anti-graffiti drone and a rather bizarre-looking harp, and you have this week's After Math. Join us after the break for the digits.
Apple 1 sells for $671,400 at auction
A few weeks ago, we reported on an impending auction involving one of six known working Apple 1 computers. The New York Times is now reporting that the auction has officially closed with the winning bid checking in at an astounding $671,400. The winning bid set a new record for the Apple 1, eclipsing a previous auction where Apple's first computer netted a $640,000 bid. "This really confirms the value of Apple-1's," Uwe Breker, the German auctioneer, said in an interview on Saturday. The buyer, Mr. Breker said, was a wealthy entrepreneur from the Far East, who wishes to remain anonymous. Part of the allure of the earliest Apple machines, Mr. Breker said, is not what they are, but what they represent. "It is a superb symbol of the American dream," he said. "You have two college dropouts from California who pursued an idea and a dream, and that dream becomes one of the most admired, successful and valuable companies in the world." Interestingly enough, the Friday story from the Times said that Apple 1 in question was originally owned by Major League Baseball player Fred Hatfield. His nickname? Scrap Iron. However, reporter Steve Lohr amended that identification this weekend when he was contacted by another Fred Hatfield (not the major leaguer; this Fred is a retired electrical engineer living in New Orleans) who was able to prove, by virtue of some signed correspondence with Steve Jobs, that he was in fact the Apple-1's original owner. Hatfield II got $40,000 for his antique and non-working machine when he sold it to an eager buyer, "a young man from Texas in the software business," who in turn got it functional and auction-ready. Also of note is that the Apple 1 here includes a circuit board signed by Woz, another "upgrade" acquired by the mysterious Texan. Meanwhile, you can pick up an original iMac on eBay for less than $100. I suppose not everything appreciates in value as it gets older.
Some comic relief from Apple's congressional appearance
Apple sent three top executives to Washington, D.C. yesterday to testify in front a congressional hearing on Apple's tax practices. Making the journey from Cupertino were CEO Tim Cook, CFO Peter Oppenheimer and Phillip Bullock -- Apple's head of Tax Operations. The hearing went on for a few hours, and as one might expect from such a controversial issue, the lively debate became intense at times. Senator Carl Levin, D-Mich., took an especially tough stance on Apple, calling its tax practices "unacceptable." Nevertheless, there were moments of levity we can extract from the hearing. For starters, Senator John McCain, R-Ariz., following his pointed questions for Apple's panel about taxation, thought it high time to ask Cook about updating apps on his iPhone. "What I really wanted to ask," said McCain, "is why the hell do I have to keep updating apps on my iPhone all the time?" I can't really blame him though. I mean, McCain had to either ask Cook while he had the chance or otherwise fork over $610,000 for the opportunity to have coffee with the Apple CEO. All in all, it was some very shrewd financial planning from McCain. All kidding aside, here's McCain and Cook sharing a lighthearted moment. Second, let's have a bit of fun with Apple's tax math. In an effort to demonstrate the sheer volume in taxes Apple already pays domestically, Cook noted during his opening remarks that, in 2012, Apple paid the US Treasury "nearly $6 billion, or $16 million per day." Curious, I decided to see how much $16 million per day translates into on an hourly basis. Dividing by 24 yielded an interesting figure -- $666,666.667 per hour to be exact. Yep, the devil's number. Something tells me Levin isn't surprised. Also of note is that $666.66 was how much the Apple I originally retailed for. Saving the best for last, we have the always hilarious folks from The Onion who solicited the following "opinions" from average Joes as part of their sarcastically brilliant "American Voices" feature.
Daily Update for May 3, 2013
It's the TUAW Daily Update, your source for Apple news in a convenient audio format. You'll get all the top Apple stories of the day in three to five minutes for a quick review of what's happening in the Apple world. You can listen to today's Apple stories by clicking the inline player (requires Flash) or the non-Flash link below. To subscribe to the podcast for daily listening through iTunes, click here. No Flash? Click here to listen. Subscribe via RSS
Rare Apple-1 hits the auction block
There are only six known working Apple-1 computers in the world, and one of these units will go on sale later this month. According to a report in Computerworld, German auction house Breker will be auctioning off the machine that was owned by Fred Hatfield. The Apple-1 includes the original manual, a letter signed by Steve Jobs and a circuit board that bears the name "Woz" on the back. The vintage computer is expected to fetch up to US$392,000 when it hits the auction block on May 25. You can check out the Apple-1 in the video below and hop over to Breker's website for the detailed photos of this classic machine. [Via AppleInsider]
Apple 1 fails to sell at auction
Christie's auctioned off an original Apple 1 motherboard this week and the piece of Apple history failed to garner enough bids to reach its reserve price. According to an ABC News report, the Apple 1 had a top bid of £32,000 (US$51,155), which is well below the £50,000 ($80,000) reserve. The computer will now go back to the consignor, who will decide what to do with the machine. According to the auction description, the Apple I came from the estate of former Apple employee Joe Copson. It is numbered 01-0022 and is believed to be the 22nd model to be manufactured by Apple in 1976. The motherboard was originally sold without a case, keyboard or monitor, but the model featured in the auction included a third-party case designed to look like an Apple II. Approximately 200 models of the Apple 1 were sold between 1976 and 1977, and only 50 of those units are still in circulation. [Via The Mac Observer]
Rare Apple I to be sold at auction
Another piece of Apple history is headed to the auction block later this year. According to a report in Computer World, an original Apple I computer will be offered at a Christie's auction that will be held October 9 in London, England. The Apple I belonged to former Apple employee Joe Copson, who reportedly tried to sell the unit on eBay last year for US$179,000. This Apple I is housed in a plastic casing that loosely resembles the Apple II and is missing some DRAM, said Mike Willegal, an expert on the Apple I computer, who talked to Computer World. Unlike the most recent auction for a working Apple I, which sold for $375,000, this Apple I is non-functional and may only fetch $125,000. It is one of only 50 that are still in existence.
Early Apple employee Daniel Kottke on the Apple I, more
Apple employee #12, Daniel Kottke, talked to Avi Solomon of Boing Boing about his time working at Apple. The interview has captivating stories about Kottke's life in the early 1970s tech scene. Besides a long discussion of the influence of psychedelics on technology, Kottke also talks about Wozniak's hardware genius and Jobs's flair for design, which was starting to develop when he was working on the Apple I. Kottke says, It was brilliant of Steve to find Rod Holt to make a switching power supply, which was a lightweight power supply with no big heavy transformers, and to put the plastic case on it. So you could actually take the Apple ][ under your arm and carry it somewhere. We never really advertised that but it was part of the appeal. And Steve never forgot that. You can read more about Kottke and his early Apple adventures in the Boing Boing interview.
Vintage Apple I sells for $375,000
A rare piece of Apple history is no longer on the market. Last Friday, Auction house Sotheby's sold a working Apple I computer for US$374,500. The vintage computer sold for more than twice its estimated value after a bidding war broke out between two bidders, according to a CNN Money report. The lucky winner was an anonymous telephone bidder who will walk away with one of only six known units. Apple originally produced 50 Apple I's and the other 44 are missing. Also on the auction block was a letter Steve Jobs sent to Atari. The letter sold for $27,500, which like the Apple I was significantly more than it was valued.
Apple I fetches $374.5K at Sotheby's auction, Steve Jobs Atari note goes for $27.5K
Here's an update for all the collectors of vintage Apple Computer-wares out there. If you'll recall, it was a few weeks back when Sotheby's announced it would auction off an Apple 1 motherboard, cassette interface and its BASIC programming manual, originally set to fetch upwards of $180,000. Just this week, the hand-built piece of computing history from 1976 was sold to one lucky phone bidder for an even more massive $374,500. As Apple Insider notes, the computer is one of six that's accounted for out of 50 that are likely still out there -- ensuring these will only remain for folks with deep pockets indeed. Past that, a hand-written note from Steve Jobs during his time at Atari was also on the auction block, garnering $27,500 even though it was only estimated to sell for less than half that price. Knowing the cost of collecting a premiere piece (arguably) from the fruits of Woz and Jobs, it certainly makes that new MacBook Pro with Retina display seem like a grand bargain in comparison. Details at the links below.
Apple I up for auction: buy a bit of Apple history for the bulk of your net worth
Attention Apple lovers: here's your chance to get your hands on an original piece of company history, but the past has proven that you better have a lot of extra cash lying around. Sotheby's auction house is offering a working Apple I computer, which is the original design that was built by Steve Jobs and Steve Wozniak back in 1976 -- by hand. It's expected to fetch between $140,000 - 180,000, and those dollars buy you a mobo, cassette interface and the original BASIC manual to get you programming partying like it's 1979. This isn't the first Apple I to hit the auction block, but with only 200 of the things in existence, the winning bidder will join the upper echelon of Apple enthusiasts. So, if you've got cash to burn and fancy yourself the ultimate fanboy, head on down to the source link for the full details. [Thanks, Deepa]
Sotheby's to auction off working Apple-1
Earlier today, we mentioned that Sotheby's is selling a memo that Steve Jobs sent to Atari. While that hand-written note will be interesting to history buffs, another Sotheby's item will garner the attention of Apple hardware enthusiasts. According to Macworld, Sotheby's is also auctioning off a working Apple-1 computer. The Apple-1 is one of 50 remaining units and one of only six working units in existence. It includes a cassette interface and several manuals. The Apple-1 was sold as a logic board and originally retailed for $666. Buyers had to supply their own cases, power supply, keyboard and monitor. The working unit is expected to fetch between US$120,000 and $180,000 when it's auctioned off next month. [Via Macworld]
Vintage Apple-1 up and running
An original Apple-1 sprung back to life during a presentation at the Polytechnic University of Turin in Italy this week. Hand-built by a then young Steve Wozniak, the vintage computer was purchased by Mark Bogle for US$211,000 as part of a high-profile Christie's auction. Despite its age of 35 years, the computer booted smoothly with the help of an oscilloscope to check the wave function of the clock, an NTSC monitor to display text and a MacBook Pro to send a simple BASIC program to the Apple-1's BASIC interpreter. Much to the amusement of the crowd, the Apple-1 displayed the words Hello Polito, a charming reference to the Polytechnic University. [Via Engadget]
$211,000 Apple-1 up and running, wants to know what this 'cloud' thing is all about
Wondering whatever became of the Apple-1 that sold at Christie's for $211,535? Turns out the extremely limited edition system wasn't destined for airtight museum displays -- not for the time being, at least. Auction winner / entrepreneur Mark Bogle brought the Wozniak-built system on stage with him at the Polytechnic University of Turin in Italy this week, and discussed its place in computing history with a group of professors before proceeding to fire it up. According to Italian Apple blog Macity, the process went "smoothly," and with the help of an oscilloscope and a MacBook Pro, the system was fed into an NTSC monitor, displaying the words "Hello Polito" -- a friendly message for the Polytechnic crowd. It's not Doom, but we'll take it. [Thanks, Settimio]
These are a few of Woz's favorite things
Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak enchanted members of a press tour late last week with the nine gadgets that proved most influential on his development as a computer guru. His picks range from an IBM programmable punch-card machine to the Honeywell Kitchen Computer (above) to an original version of Pong. Of course, the last item on that list is the iconic Apple 1, the computer Woz and Steve Jobs built and sold out of a garage. It's neat to browse through the eclectic list of older technology. It makes you wonder what today's Macbook Airs and Apple TVs will eventually inspire.
