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Posts with tag knock off

Keepin' it real fake, part CXXIII: the Wiimote candy dispenser


According to the reader who sent this our way, this candy dispenser looks "exactly" like a Wiimote, except it fires candy out of the spot where the IR transmitter should be. Apparently the instructions suggest that you "Do not aim at face," so... it's kind of like the real thing.

[Thanks, Timothy]

Keepin' it real fake, part CXIV: the N95 FM radio... from Asaki


It's just what you've been waiting for -- a Nokia N95 running Windows Mobile. It looks like the rumors were true after all! What's that? This is not a real phone? It's just an FM radio with a sticker on the screen? Oh bother. Yes folks, thanks to eagle-eyed tipster Eric, you're looking at the next evolution in gadgetry -- the Asaki N95 FM radio. We're not sure what the going price for this is, but we'd imagine slightly less than $779, though the real N95 doesn't come with those totally pimped-out headphones, does it?

Meizu CeBIT booth shut down by German authorities


Remember how the folks at the Meizu booth swore up and down that the M8 Mini One wasn't that similar to the iPhone? Well apparently the Hanover police think otherwise. According to a report, the booth (shown above in its vacated state) was shut down by cops for piracy during CeBIT and passersby were told that, "The venue is closed until further notice." It appears that after stopping down the M8 show, cops proceeded to confiscate equipment and literature associated with the painfully obvious knock-off, and will be making a more detailed statement on Thursday in regards to the action. Meizu, it might be time to get yourself a makeover... and a good attorney.

Update: As you've probably already read, the Meizu booth was apparently shut down due to its use of an unlicensed MP3 codec. At the time we wrote this, all signs were pointing to the cause being the M8's alarmingly familiar UI, though that appears to have slipped through unscathed.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in; Image courtesy Heise Online]

"Sport" Vii 2 gets a nice, dry video review


That's right folks, it's the long awaited Dry British Guy (of Polystation 3 and POP Station fame) review of the Sport Vii (aka the Vii 2) -- the video game console of your nightmares. When a product is as anticipated as this, you expect a little disappointment here or there, and the KenSingTon Vii 2 doesn't fail to deliver... er, on failing that is. Watch in horror as you're taken through the bizarre knock-off world that is the Sport Vii software suite, including a wide variety of games involving horribly mutated-looking rabbits. Watch the video after the break and get all the facts -- our suggestion is that you hang on till the very end for an exciting twist.

CybertronPC CM900, Eee's long-lost twin?


Sure, it looks like the Eee, it sports the same CPU as the Eee, heck, it even appears to use the Eee's OS -- but it's actually the CM900! What does that mean? Well for starters, you'll pay more money for less computer ($349.99 for a 2GB system, the same price for a 4GB ASUS)... but of course you'll have that CybertronPC name to fall back on. Honestly, we'd say this was a rebrand if it weren't for the minor differences in specs, and who knows -- maybe it is. If not, however, this is the knock-offingest knock-off we've seen in a good long while. Far be it from us to condemn the CybertronPC gang for trying to get in while the gettin's good, but maybe next time these guys could at least give us a fair shake on the storage / price breakdown?

[Thanks, Brian]

Dynacom's Wi Vision: not a Wii, not a vision


The nerve of the Chinese-via-Brazil knock-off industry -- thieving the names of consoles and not even attempting to also steal the look, operation, logos, or games. Enter the Wi Vision, a "game console" meant to evoke thoughts of Nintendo's money-maker by name, though it evokes something decidedly crappier in appearance... like a melting Genesis standing on its side. What about specs, you ask? How does a 240 x 240 resolution, 64 color capacity, NES compatibility, and included 106-game cartridge sound to you? Pretty good right? Oh, don't forget about the wireless controllers and complete lack of fun. Available now (in Brazil) for 269 BR (or around $150).

Devil DAP scares off seekers of genuineness


At first glance, we assumed the completely misnamed Christmas MP3/MP4 player was merely a mephistophelean covering for an older iPod nano, but apparently, Putian Hengwang Trade Company put in the legwork and actually knocked off a DAP (or at least an interface) from Apple's past. This creature fittingly arrives in red or black and features 1GB, 2GB, 4GB or 8GB of storage, a 1.5- / 1.8-inch display, optional FM tuner and built-in speaker, a rechargeable Li-ion and support for MP3, WMA, WAV and ASF file formats. Sadly, there's no mention of a price, release date or pickup location, but there's a decent chance you'll find 'em awkwardly stacked up beside the Cross MP3 Player somewhere in Beijing.

[Via PMPToday]

"Sony" gaming PMP turns up on eBay

We've seen, shall we say, creative uses of well-known brands to sell cheapo gear in the past, but it's not often we see a case as brazen as the one above, which cavalierly throws Sony's familiar logo onto a generic Chinese PMP in an attempt, presumably, to give it a bit more cred. Of course, there is the little matter that the PMP boasts of its ability to play NES games, and the fact that it uses SD cards instead of Sony's beloved Memory Sticks -- which are certainly welcome features, but not exactly ones high on Sony's list. If for some reason you want to take a chance on the player, however, you can currently find one on eBay at the link below, with the bidding hovering around the $25 mark (as of this writing).

[Via PMP Today]

Keepin' it real fake, part XCVII: Nabaztag's sad little knock-off


You know the Nabaztag -- the lovable, WiFi-sporting, olfactory-equipped plastic rabbit which wormed its way into our hearts. Sure, everyone wants to nestle up to the little critter's twinkling LEDs and soothing expression, but what about Nabaztag's pitiful, cheap, single-function cousin, the Rabbit Sensor Night Light? That's right -- not a lot of love for this one-trick-pony, a simple night light which won't play back your favorite podcasts, recognize the scent of a carrot, read you a book, or act as your Cha'Dich during your trial on Qo'noS concerning the attack at Khitomer... but it will glow softly through its pink plastic casing. Look, it automatically turns on when it detects movement, and it's dirt cheap ($12.99) -- isn't that enough?

[Thanks, kristofer b]

Wii clone being "played" caught on video


Been thinking about investing in a Vii -- the low-rent Chinese knock-off of Nintendo's Wii -- but you're just not sure you want to fork over the cash? Check out this footage of the infamous console in action, delivered by our friends at Engadget Chinese. Just imagine getting together with your whole family for a round of Happy Tennis, Free Craps or Alacrity Golf -- you, grandma and the kids all twitching spasmodically, desperately trying to control the on-screen "action" with the janky Viimote. With playability like this, you'll probably need anger management. Check the video after the break and see what we mean.

[Via Joystiq]

Keepin' it real fake, part XCIII: Bestlink Electronics clones the HTC Touch


Oh poor little Bestlink Electronics BL 3280. You look just like the HTC Touch, but you have no phone, no touchscreen, and your casing appear to be made from reconstituted Batman action figures. Sure, they say that you can play MPEG4, MP3, WMA, WMV, ASF and WAV files, and that you're no slouch at viewing e-books or JPEGs, but does that help you get to sleep at night? You can boast about your "dynamic GUI" all you want, or flaunt your FM radio and "gaming functionality" (though we're not sure how that works with your lack of buttons), but deep down you're just another, shoddy knock-off -- and we know it. Hey, at least you're not called the Pouch. Price and availability unknown -- we guess cheap and soon.

[Via PMPToday]

Inevitably, the PolyStation 3


It's not even worth busting out the KIRF numbering for, it's so predictably awful -- but say hello to the PolyStation 3, the latest and greatest console from the makers of the original PolyStation, the smash hit followup PolyStation 2, and the portable POP Station. Our video reviewer is the same charming British chap we've come to know and love from his other knock-off reviews -- let's let him handle the honors of destroying this thing, shall we?

Keepin' it real fake, Part LXXXVI: iPod nano rip-off does double duty as camera


You can tell the Chinese PMP knock-off factories are getting a little bored. They're starting to mutate their typically staid, blatant thefts into something just a little bit more exciting. Enter the UE-Technology UE-M4088, a totally fresh new entry that rips off both the new iPod nano, and a generic digital camera. Of course, it has all your favorite Chinese PMP features, like a 2.4-inch LCD display, FM radio, playback of MPEG-4, ASF, MP3, WMA, WAV and MIDI files, an SD slot, and of course that 1.3-megapixel camera. The player seems to be available now, though no word on price. Finally, you can have it all... just don't let the authorities see you having it all.

[Via PMPToday]

Chinese PMP knocks off Cingular logo for no apparent reason


You know, sometimes product development can take a long time. A really long time. A really, really long time. Sometimes you slap a Cingular logo on an iPod nano knockoff, expecting to pull in tons of sweet cheddar for your novel idea, and before you know it -- bam! -- Cingular becomes AT&T. Of course, once you've got a warehouse full of these ugly-as-sin players, you might as well try to sell them, which shouldn't be hard considering all of the unique features this little guy has, like a 1.8-inch color LCD, MP3, WMA, AVI, and JPEG playback, plus... um, it fits nicely in a pocket. At the very least, those clinging to happier days when Cingular logos roamed the land can now return to their happy place. No word on price or availability, but we're told the feelings of extreme humiliation when using the player are included free of charge.

[Via SlashGear]

The first iPod nano clone rears its fat head


Of course, we all know that the knock-off producers in China never rest, but this new iPod nano clone you're looking at was definitely turned around in an impressively short period of time. Right now we have only this photo -- apparently taken at a Shenzhen factory for use in piquing importer's interest -- to go on, but it certainly isn't any kind of surprise that the copy-cats have already put the dirty deed in motion. Just remember guys, you're taking food off of Steve Jobs' table... which is made of diamond-studded platinum.

[Via GenerationMP3, thanks BrianB]



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