Prototypes of the iPod and iPhone have appeared on eBay recently, but those auctions have been cut short by Apple, according to the sellers. Wired reported that multiple 2006 iPhone prototypes were up for sale, with an accompanying YouTube video demonstrating how they worked, but Apple had it all yanked.

Engadget retrieved the video clip and posted it on their site. While it shows a crude version of the iPhone software, prompting some to wonder if it was real, Wired noted that Apple's hardware engineers worked with fake software, while the software engineers used circuit boards in wooden boxes, during the development process.

Wired speculated: "This may explain why Apple wanted the listing pulled -- instead of showing an earlier, crappier iPhone interface, the video and photos instead show Apple's secret, internal phoney phone software."

Prototype iPhone

Meanwhile, former Apple employee Mike Evangelist wanted to sell his prototype iPod, "to cover some unexpected expenses," but his eBay auction was halted by Apple. His blog provides plenty of proof that it's a real unit: he was one of the internal testers for the device, and he never got around to trading his unit in for the final version. The iPod still works, although he noted that its firmware can't be updated, so he's including a special utility for resetting or restoring it.

He decided to sell it through his blog, where a message he posted on Tuesday said it was no longer available.