Olde iPhone prototypes show up on Ebay (Skankphone – Newton 3000)

Update: It looks like someone (Apple?) has taken the auction offline:

It looks like someone got their mitts on a piece of technology history over at 1 Infinite Loop. Someone is selling some prototype iPhones with a wacky pre-iPhone type of OS on it. One of the iPhones actually even works. Check out more photos and a description below.

http://www.youtube-nocookie.com/v/sRxnZLLuLQs&hl=en&fs=1&rel=0&border=1

Original Ebay posting

Here is a quite rare and collectable example of iPhone prototypes, one even running a beta OS.  Only one of the phones works however. Neither unit says "iPhone" on them anywhere, or list the storage capacity which is interesting. I did some research on the serial numbers, it appears they were both manufactured about 6 months before the release of the iPhone.

Phone #1:
-Powers on OK – GSM service works
-Plastic matte screen (see pics)
-Serial number YM649xxxxxx which corresponds to a factory in China, manufactured week 49 of the year 2006.
-Runs iPhone OS 03.06.01_G (iPhone Launch OS 1.0 was version 03.11.02_G)
-Good cosmetic condition

Phone #2:
-Doesn’t turn on (tried leaving on charger for awhile, along with various reset procedures)
-Glass screen
-Serial number YM650xxxxxx which corresponds to a factory in China, manufactured week 50 of the year 2006. (The iPhone was announced on Jan 6 2007 and release June 29 2007.)
-I replaced the battery and still doesn’t work.  Currently apart right now, can leave as-is for buyer or reassemble.
-Has various scratches, it is in fair cosmetic condition at best

The phone that works is pretty neat to use. It does make calls(with my ATT sim), and I can surf the net.  However when I did get to web pages they were the mobile versions, not the regular versions.  I can’t figure out how to set a ringtone, it is just silent right now.   I can receive SMS but not compose my own, other than 5 included test messages. It doesn’t sync to itunes. Camera seems to work. It has tons of testing options.

Also, the working phone has several interesting subtitles that alternate on the screens including:

[Skank is the new black]
[Nine parts perspiration]
[Say hello to the Newton MessagePad 3000]
[Skankphone]

The phones also comes with a really nice soft case for each.  I can guarantee that the working phone will work when you get it, but nothing else beyond that.  This auction includes the 2 phones, and the 2 cases, and that is it.  Shipping via USPS Priority Insured.  Paypal within 3 days.  Please ask any questions before bidding.