Meizu iPhone clone to closely mimic interface?
updated 12:45 pm EDT, Fri September 21, 2007
Meizu 'iPhone' interface
While some reports had indicated that the iPhone clone by Meizu, the miniOne (renamed M8), was going to diverge more sharply from its inspiration, company CEO Jack Wong has posted new images of its interface that appear to be directly copied from the iPhone. Lifted style elements include everything from the navigation buttons at the top of iPhone menus, to the roll-up touch keyboard, and the SMS messenger's iChat-style "bubbles." Even the dialing interface is not far removed from Apple's own.
The M8 is expected to ship in China by the end of this year, costing the equivalent of $259 for a 4GB model or $453 for a 16GB phone. It is unlikely to leave China however; as it is so conspicuously similar to the iPhone, it is likely to violate intellectual property laws in the United States and in many other countries. China is notoriously free in its application of copyright laws, resulting in many imitation products.
Apple has yet to officially respond to Meizu's efforts, but has indicated that the genuine iPhone will only reach "Asia" in 2008. [via Meizu Me]
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2000
IM feature
I bet it has genuine IM. I still don't understand why the iPhone doesn't. Just about every other mid-to-high-level phone out there has it.
I want to wait for 3G. But I definitely won't buy til IM is there. To someone who's hearing-impaired, it makes a huge difference to have as many text message options as possible.