Hundreds of unique Apple iPods that belonged to the late designer Karl Lagerfeld are being auctioned by Sotheby's (via MacStories).
Lagerfeld was a renowned German fashion designer who passed away in 2019. The auction features a range of custom iPods, including uniquely decorated models and rare first-generation devices. Each iPod is meticulously loaded with curated music.
According to graphic novelist Warren Ellis, "Lagerfeld famously had an 'iPod nanny' to digitize his collection for the iPods and to add new music to new devices. This is how he ended up with over 300 of them – he treated them like cassette tapes."
Lagerfeld's collection also included other Apple devices, such as iPads, which he reportedly used as digital sketchbooks and diaries. Despite owning several iPhones, Lagerfeld avoided using email and instead maintained a preference for handwritten correspondence.
The auction is part of a broader sale of Lagerfeld's estate featuring over 200 lots, providing a comprehensive look into his personal and professional life. It closes on January 31.
Wednesday March 18, 2026 7:39 am PDT by Joe Rossignol
While the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max are not expected to launch for another six months or so, there are already plenty of rumors about the devices.
It was initially reported that the iPhone 18 Pro models would have fully under-screen Face ID, with only a front camera visible in the top-left corner of the screen. However, the latest rumors indicate that only one Face ID component...
Apple has unveiled a whopping eight new products so far this March, including an iPhone 17e, iPad Air models with the M4 chip, MacBook Air models with the M5 chip, MacBook Pro models with M5 Pro and M5 Max chips, an updated Studio Display, a higher-end Studio Display XDR, and now the AirPods Max 2 this week.
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Apple Music
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I'd like to see an iPod Anniversary Edition release, ideally built from "off the shelf" m.2 where one can easily get 4TB of m.2 right now for < $200. So put classic Apple markup on it and a 4TB iPod "Special Edition" could sell for around the original- $449-$499.
And I'd be first in line to buy it... ideally with the original pure iPod type OS instead of iPod Touch... but I'd roll with the latter if that's how it had to be.
I suspect nostalgia alone could move a crowd to buy one too. Segments of people are buying modern repackaging of far more ancient tech such as game consoles from the 1970s-1990s.
Why make one of these? Why not just use virtual iPod on iPhone? iPod doesn't have the expensive "tail" of ongoing cell service. $499 is a LOT less than $799+. 4000GB is a LOT, LOT more storage than 128GB. Etc.
Just my opinion... but I'm still rocking a 5th GEN iPod Classic for a very useful/specific use. It seems doomed to conk sooner than later and I'd like a replacement that is NOT a phone or tablet.
I always thought it would be cool to make at least make one more generation of the iPod Classic with support for syncing Apple Music playlists and full switching AirPods support. Ultra thin like the nano, higher end DAC so it sounds good and a headphone jack.
The collection would be better suited for a museum so it could be viewed as a whole. Apple should purchase the entire collection.
Apple does not care about these iPods. And all I see is some rich person that used expensive devices as disposable items because he could. They are overpriced and I am guessing that most of them don't work.
I'd like to see an iPod Anniversary Edition release, ideally built from "off the shelf" m.2 where one can easily get 4TB of m.2 right now for < $200 (at retail, buying just a single unit). So put classic Apple markup on it and a 4TB iPod "Special Edition" could sell for around the original- $449-$499.
And I'd be first in line to buy it... ideally with the original pure iPod type OS instead of iPod Touch... but I'd roll with the latter if that's how it had to be.
I suspect nostalgia alone could move a crowd to buy one too. Segments of people are buying modern repackaging of far more ancient tech such as game consoles from the 1970s-1990s.
Why make one of these? Why not just use virtual iPod on iPhone? iPod doesn't have the expensive "tail" of ongoing cell service. $499 is a LOT less than $799+. 4000GB is a LOT, LOT more storage than 128GB. Etc.
Now if Apple jumped on the idea but decided to use it's "magical", proprietary storage where the 4TB upgrade is $1200 by itself, this iPod would be priced far too high and loses any appeal whatsoever to me. But use "off the shelf" storage as they did with actual iPods back in the day and they can get their fat margin while keeping the retail price accessible.
Just my opinion... but I'm still rocking a 5th GEN iPod Classic for a very useful/specific use. It seems doomed to conk sooner than later and I'd like a replacement that is NOT a phone or tablet.
I always thought it would be cool to make at least make one more generation of the iPod Classic with support for syncing Apple Music playlists and full switching AirPods support. Ultra thin like the nano, higher end DAC so it sounds good and a headphone jack.
I'd be completely there, beyond first in line (breaking into the store before it opens to get one and just leave the money on the counter). ;)
To this day, with nearly every product they release, I find myself wishing for "way more color!"
It's incredibly boring to have these muted shades of XYZ colors that barely pop in the slightest
No fun - no personality ... just "blah"
True. I think the era of soft / muted / pastels should end. I'd love myself a set of Mondrian colors like Karl's iPod nanos. Could Apple be courageous enough to at least release a Product(RED) iPad and/or MacBook?
