The World's Most Expensive MP3 Player - US$20,000

German audio and storage company TrekStor, has received an order from Russian-Canadian billionaire and owner of the Midland Formula 1 team, Alex Shnaider, to develop the world's most expensive MP3 player. This luxurious piece of jewelry, valued at approx. US$20,000, is cast in 750 gold and adorned with numerous diamonds and a valuable chain. The idea to develop the world's most expensive MP3 player came to Shnaider while negotiating a sponsorship deal with TrekStor CEO, Daniel Szmigiel. Shnaider was so fascinated by the i.Beat organix – a handy, 40g player with full-bodied sound and winner of eleven accolades – that he placed a special order for the unique, custom-made device on the spot.

"I was so impressed by the technology of the i.Beat organix that I immediately ordered the MP3 player in gold as a one-off masterpiece to be auctioned for a charitable cause," explains Shnaider. "I am confident that many enthusiasts will turn up to bid for this phenomenal device at the autumn gala event to benefit cancer research. It’s a spectacular toy, and knowing that the funds raised go toward a worthwhile cause should make owning it all the more special."

To transform the i.Beat organix into a truly one-off accessory, Shnaider com-missioned manufacturer TrekStor to create a particularly magnificent and valu-able piece of jewelry. He specified that the casing of the organix be cast in 750 gold (18 karat) and adorned with 63 diamonds (one-karat). The player was also to be embellished with a small chain that includes aquamarine gems. Jewelers Wenthe in Mannheim put over 100 hours of painstaking handiwork into the exquisite gadget. "We feel very honored that our atelier was entrusted with this challenging task," says Dieter Wüst, proprietor of Atelier Wenthe. "We invested a great deal of time and effort and are now very proud of our unique artifact."

TrekStor will be extending its participation in motorsports activities by sponsoring Shnaider's Midland Formula 1 team in the framework of a cooperative agreement covering the 2006 Formula 1 racing season. TrekStor was already very active in last year's DTM (German Touring Championships).