Apple iPod Vintage U2 Special Edition Black/Red (20 GB) Unopened/Mint/Factory Sealed/RARE!

Up for sale is the first edition of the U2 Special Edition iPod (Based on a 4th Generation iPOD). I bought this back in 2004 when this edition first came out and it is unopened in the original packaging and shrink wrap. It has been in my home stored in a safe for 20 years! I'm now ready to part with it and pass it on to the next collector. Packaging is in pristine shape. There are not any rips, tears, dents, etc. on the packaging. This is a rare item and absolutely a collectible one!

The iPod U2 Special Edition was a limited series of the classic iPod in several versions. The U2 Special Edition iPods are identifiable by a distinct red click wheel within a black front surface. They also feature the autographs of the U2 band members etched onto the back.

Release history

On October 26, 2004, the first U2 iPod was released, based on a 4th generation iPod with a monochrome screen, 20 GB drive, and a chrome-plated back. The list price was US$349 / CA$499.

On June 28, 2005, the second U2 iPod was released, based on a iPod photo with a color display, 20 GB drive, and a chrome-plated back. Its price was lowered to US$329.

On June 6, 2006, the third U2 iPod was released, based on a 5th generation iPod with a larger color screen, 30 GB drive, and black metal back. Its pricing remained at US$329.

On September 12, 2006, the fourth and final U2 iPod was released, based on an enhanced version of the 5th generation iPod with a brighter color screen, 30 GB drive, and black metal back. Its price was lowered to US$279.

The first two U2 special edition iPods included an iTunes Music Store coupon to get US$50 off the purchase of The Complete U2. The latter two models included a coupon to freely download 30 minutes of music videos and interviews with the band.

iPod Special Edition U2

• Navigation: Click Wheel
• Capacity: 20 and 30 GB
• Model numbers and dates introduced:
• • A1136: September 2006
  • A1136: June 2006
  • A1099: June 2005
  • A1059: October 2004

The iPod Special Edition U2 is a standard iPod model with some differences, including: Black plastic exterior, red Click Wheel, signatures of the U2 band members engraved on the back, and "iPod Special Edition U2" engraved on the back.

The first model was based on an iPod (Click Wheel) with a 20 GB hard drive. In June 2005, a new version of the iPod Special Edition U2 was introduced that was based on an iPod with color display. These are both also considered fourth-generation iPod models. In June 2006, a new version of the iPod Special Edition U2 was introduced that is based on a 5th-generation iPod (also known as iPod with video) with a 30 GB hard drive. In September 2006, a model based on the iPod (5th generation Late 2006) was introduced. The last three characters of the serial number are W9G.

PRESS RELEASE October 26, 2004 Apple Introduces the U2 iPod

U2 and Apple Partnership Fuses Art, Technology & Commerce

SAN JOSE, California—October 26, 2004—Apple® today introduced the iPod® U2 Special Edition as part of a partnership between Apple, U2 and Universal Music Group (UMG) to create innovative new products together for the new digital music era. The new U2 iPod holds up to 5,000 songs and features a gorgeous black enclosure with a red Click Wheel and custom engraving of U2 band member signatures.“U2 and Apple have a special relationship where they can start to redefine the music business,” said Jimmy Iovine, Chairman of UMG’s Interscope Geffen A&M Records. “The iPod along with iTunes is the most complete thought that we’ve seen in music in a very long time.”“We want our audience to have a more intimate online relationship with the band, and Apple can help us do that,” said U2 lead singer Bono. “With iPod and iTunes, Apple has created a crossroads of art, commerce and technology which feels good for both musicians and fans.” “iPod and iTunes look like the future to me and it’s good for everybody involved in music,” said U2 guitarist, The Edge. “U2 is one of the greatest bands in the world and we are floored to be working with them,” said Steve Jobs, Apple’s CEO. “We just want to make some innovative products together, and we hope U2 fans will love having their very own special edition iPod. "The new U2 iPod is being introduced as the band prepares to release their new album “How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb” in late November. In addition to the new U2 iPod, the results of the U2, Apple and UMG partnership include:• U2’s single “Vertigo” from their upcoming album “How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb” is available exclusively in the US through the iTunes® Music Store;• Apple and U2 have created a breakthrough television ad featuring U2 band members performing their new single “Vertigo.” The ad is a cross between Apple’s award-winning “Silhouette” ads and a music video; and• Apple has created the online music industry’s first-of-its-kind “Digital Box Set.” The first digital box set, “The Complete U2,” will contain over 400 tracks including all of the band’s albums and over 25 rare and unreleased tracks. U2 fans will be able to purchase and download The Complete U2 with just one click on the iTunes Music Store in the US and Europe beginning in late November for just $149 (US).The U2 iPod features Apple’s patent pending Click Wheel, up to 12 hours battery life and Shuffle Songs, a command in the main menu that gives users instant access to one of the most exciting new ways to listen to their music library. All iPods work with Apple’s iTunes, providing music fans with the best digital jukebox on either a Mac® or Windows computer and access to the iTunes Music Store, the number one digital music service in the world. U2 iPod customers will receive a coupon for $50 off the purchase of “The Complete U2” available exclusively on the iTunes Music Store.*iPod features Apple’s patent pending Auto-Sync technology that automatically downloads an entire digital music library onto iPod and keeps it up-to-date whenever it is plugged into a Mac or Windows computer using FireWire® or USB. Users can transfer two songs per second from their Mac or Windows computer and can conveniently charge iPod with either the included FireWire or USB cable.Pricing & Availability
The new 20GB iPod U2 Special Edition is expected to be available mid-November for a suggested retail price of $349 (US) through the Apple Store® ([link removed by eBay]), Apple’s retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. The U2 iPod includes earbud headphones, 1.2m 30-pin to FireWire cable, a 1.2m 30-pin to USB cable, and a CD with iTunes 4.7 for Mac and Windows computers. Optional accessories include the iPod Dock for $39 (US) and in-ear headphones for $39 (US).iPod requires a Mac with a FireWire or USB 2.0 port and Mac OS® X version 10.1.5 or later (Mac OS X v10.2 or later recommended); or a Windows PC with a FireWire or USB 2.0 port, or FireWire or USB 2.0 card and Windows 2000 (with Service Pack 4 or later), XP Home or Professional. All iPods include rechargeable batteries which have a limited number of charge cycles and may eventually need to be replaced. Battery life and number of charge cycles vary by use and settings. See [link removed by eBay] for more information. Music capacity is based on four minutes per song and 128-Kbps AAC encoding. Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning desktop and notebook computers, OS X operating system, and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital music revolution with its iPod portable music players and iTunes online music store.U2 formed in their native Dublin in 1978 and remains intact with its four original band members: Bono, Larry Mullen, Adam Clayton and The Edge.  The band has sold more than 120 million records worldwide in an extraordinary career that has firmly established them as one of the world's greatest rock ‘n’ roll bands.  Along the way, U2 has earned a phenomenal 14 Grammy Awards, seven of which were for their last studio album, 2000’s All That You Can't Leave Behind, including two consecutive awards for “Record of the Year.”  As popular for their legendary live shows as for their groundbreaking albums, U2 continue to innovate and inspire while packing football stadiums and sweaty clubs around the world. Their new album How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb, will be released November 23, 2004.  Universal Music Group is the world’s leading music company with wholly-owned record operations or licensees in 71 countries. Its businesses also include Universal Music Publishing Group, one of the industry’s largest global music publishing operations. Universal Music Group is a unit of Vivendi Universal, a global media and communications company. The Apple iPod U2 Special Edition (4th Generation) is internally the same as the 20 GB configuration of the iPod (4th Generation), but uses a case with a black front, a red "Clickwheel", and laser-etched signatures of the U2 band members on the stainless steel back. It shipped with an "exclusive" U2 poster, a US$50-off coupon for "The Complete U2" downloadable "box set", and interestingly, the standard white iPod earbuds. It cost US$50 more than the standard white iPod (4th Generation).

Like the standard 20 GB configuration of the iPod (4th Generation), it is capable of supporting "up to" 5,000 songs encoded in "128-Kbps AAC format", has 25 minutes of skip protection, and provides "up to" 12 hours of battery life for continuous music playback.