Sotheby’s, Space Station Isis 9, 2113:
Next up for auction is Armin Heinrich’s “I Am Rich” circa 2008 manufactured digitally for the Apple iPhone, a device popular with turn-of-the-epoch intelligentsia and predecessor to our own popular iSuppository. The work of art originally sold for $999.99 and was a scathing commentary on that era’s consumerist culture on the eve of the Great Browning. We quote from the artist’s original mission:
The red icon on your iPhone or iPod touch always reminds you (and others when you show it to them) that you were able to afford this.
It’s a work of art with no hidden function at all.
The artwork is fully functional and it has been tested and approved by the Federal Recording Industry Association of America and is also approved by the TSA Provisional Authority for use on and around airports, cities, restaurants, and bathrooms. We begin the bidding at 5 million Nebraskan Euro. Do I hear an initial bid?
[Thanks, Dave]
Update: Making the app even more valuable was the fact that Apple took it down from its iTunes App Store only days after it launched. Only eight copies were ever sold.
it was a matter of time before this crap came out. I’m surprised TC has the professionalism to report on it and give it more attention.
This seems like a waste of not only money, but people’s energy who actually click the “Buy App” button in the app store. Sad.
http://blabtech.blogspot.com
What’s even funnier is that people like you give it even MORE attention by commenting on it.
It’s amazing how many people come out of the woodwork to bash a story. Obviously if the story provokes a strong enough emotion and/or opinion to make you waste your time writing about, then it’s not all that uninteresting, is it?
Then again, maybe half of you guys just comment so that you can pop your URL into this blog and hope to get some traffic at your lame blogs or startups.
No offense, of course.
First off, real rich people don’t own an iPhone. They own a Neo. iPhone is for the masses.
BS
Vastly overpriced gloss, lacking in core functionality. Just like the iPhone itself.
It fits the iPhone and some of its buyers perfectly.
It’s a tongue-in-cheek that’s lost on most people though.
“lacking in core functionality. Just like the iPhone itself.”
The iPhone is by far one of the most functional phones available. I’d like to know what this mythical phone you speak of is that is so much more functional? Sure other phones may have a better camera (nokia) or better enterprise features (blackberry) but for an all in one solution you really can’t get any better.
He’s waiting for Android….
/rolls eyes
Or you could just copy the image and stick it on the home screen.
Oh and well said Thomas! That about sums the iPhone up for me too.
Europeans need to be richer than US Americans to afford this app. Within the Euro-zone it costs 799 Euros = 1,233 USD (as of today’s exchange rate). May be I will have my own start-up with shipping this one from the U.S.A. to Europe and then sell it – I could make quadrillions, Euros of course
Lawl, This remind me of “Hal 9000″ Hey if I was rich, I would get it, just to say I have Hal on my iPhone HAHA! but I don’t understand how long this would last, not many people are going to buy this app. I mean whats the point in it?
The only point in luxury lays in its existence – I guess.
I don’t get it; granted I’m not rich…so maybe that’s it.
Maybe I need to create a luxury product and get rich so I can understand this and buy more like them for my new lifestyle.
This is news?
How can we track this app’s sales? That’s probably the only possibly interesting thing about this. It’s a ludicrous idea, but that is why I like it.
I just bought 3. Can you top that?
As DIY I just took the top off of my Porsche Cayenne as I like to drive it as a convertible. If you all cannot afford a freaking iPhone app for some change WORK HARDER.
Or this app is just a Viral Marketing campaign and we all became part of it. Honestly, I love Armin Heinrich’s idea. It is worth every letter you write about it.
“I am Rich?” More like “Im a Douchebag”
Well… Common TC, there’s a bunch of great app that are useful. Can’t you talk about that?
I wonder what this does to the battery life? I guess battery could become the new gas, you could be the SUV that boast, I don’t care about cost…
I just talked to the programmer, Armin Heinrich from Salzgitter, Germany. He says that he sold I Am Rich already four times in the first 14 hours. Now he is impatiently waiting for the App Store’s next accounting which he will receive 10 AM tomorrow. I guess he will be even richer than.
Here’s the article I have just written for our news website:
€800: The most expensive iPhone app comes from Germany
http://www.area.../news/9645.html
it could be worse – like a fully diamond-studded iPhone for $50K+
Lawrence are you referring to: http://www.extr...ary-i-phone.com ? Because the $50k diamond studded iPhone case does exist.
Why oh why wont Apple shield us from apps like this? It’s just not fair!
The funny thing is… people will buy it. … http://www.read...ex.php?RTA=web2
Love it. Ironic applications.
Here’s the German text translated:
http://mloovi.c...98d2de67ce7a891
New Ideas for luxury apps:
i’m very rich: $9,999.99
i’m very very rich: $99,999.99
i’m very very very rich: $999,999.99
i’m very very very very rich: $9,999,999.99
i’m very very very very very rich: $99,999,999.99
i’m very very very very very rich: $999,999,999.99
i’m very very very very very very rich: $9,999,999,999.99
i’m very very very very very very very rich: $99,999,999,999.99
i’m very very very very very veryvery very rich: $999,999,999,999.99
Thanks for the report, you made my day!!
Wow guys relax. Its called comedic value.
. I am entertained. Thanks John.
“The red icon on your iPhone or iPod touch always reminds you (and others when you show it to them) that you were able to afford this.”
They seem to have dropped the word “once” from the end of the sentence.
> popular with turn-of-the-epoch ***intelligentsia***
you mean:
popular with the turn-of-the-epoch posh, hyper-chatting classes that in the 2009 oil crisis were sent to work in coal mines for their own good
looks like something “G” would buy
I’m holding out for a Vertu touch screen.
OMG – this is hilarious. …I think I’ll code up a Safari version for the the rest of us. An animated gif should get me most of the way there…
Thanks TC, fantastic.
I am rich an want to buy it.
But it is no longer available.I will just buy a Gold
Case for my iphone instead
Sweet! This app can go along with my 18k gold and diamond iphone case!!
(http://www.case...amondiphonecase)
its been pulled from the Apple Store.
Or you could just fire up Safari and go to iamricher.mobi.
It’s no good unless you’re selling it.
Two words: Right on.
The app has been removed but I have the app on my iPhone.
If anyone wants to buy the phone w/App from me email bjorn.lornsen@gmail.com
The price is $10,000. I prefer to use an escrow service unless you can meet in person in the bay area.
-b
A total American Psycho App!
It´s totally senseless and like they said at fscklog, there are no humans checking the new applictions.
Greetings
Sebastian
Can conspicuous consumption transcend from the tangible (white 16gb iPhone 3g – don’t worry, I have one too) to the intangible (i am rich)? Well, I guess not since Apple seems to have since deleted it from the App store. Pity…I was kinda curious to see if anyone had actually purchased it with all this press…hehe.
I’LL TAKE EIGHT!
wow
Groins BSn Group plc
25 Holey Street
ShamaLama HC2V 7HN
I discovered a dormant iTunes account in my office, as Group finance director with Groins bank Shamalama. It will be in my interest to transfer 1000 copies, worth 10 million, luxury apps in an account offshore. If you can assist in getting the applications transfered,contact me imediately.
Remember this is absolutely confidential. Your contact phone numbers and name will be necessary for this effect.
Regards and respect,
Mr. Crappy Face
Groins Finance Director
Shamalama Ding-Dong Bank London
I went out to the bar last night, and some dude was walking around showing off this application to chicks. They were totally impressed. This app made him look like a total badass.
It’s a sad world we live in.
PWNED: http://i35.tiny...c.com/vfeo5.png
Brilliant! Where’s my credit card?!?!?
So… why did Apple pull this ? It didn’t harm anyone, it sold well, and it generated buzz. I’d like Apple to publish a list of the standards by which they accept/reject applications.