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]
IM feature
09/21, 02:52pm reply
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.
Buran
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2000
Does Apple have...
09/23, 09:04pm reply
their own IM client that's compatible with the majors? Even if they released iChat would it be useful to most buyers? (I assume that like iPod most aren't Mac users)
Go Adium for iPhone
McD
McDave
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jun 2006
Jabber
09/24, 04:40am reply
iChat supports Jabber. I have my MSN and ICQ contacts on iChat through Jabber server. The downside of that is complicated account setup procedure on Jabber.
ViktorCode
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Jan 2006
iChat = AIM
09/24, 12:03pm reply
Apple's iChat works on the network with the largest user base: AOL's AIM (AOL Instant Messenger).
When Apple introduced iChat years ago, they made a deal with the biggest IM service out there at the time. AIM is still the biggest one with twice as many active users as the second-place (Windows Live/MSN), or third place (Yahoo).
It is almost certain that an iChat app will appear on iPhones with one of the upcoming updates.
vasic
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: May 2005
Pretty Disgusting...
09/24, 12:46pm reply
that a superpower country can't be held accountable to IP laws. It would be one thing if China were some poor third world country.
But as the most populous country in the world with a booming economy, China should be held accountable (by way of sanctions/taxes) for the products it sells both inside and outside it's borders.
dpicardi
Forum Regular
Joined: Sep 2006
sick to my stomach
10/19, 02:38pm reply
China should absolutely be held accountable for this obvious theft of Intellectual property, that the CEO can so brazenly take the 2 and a half years of research and innovation by Apple and AT&T in one fell sweep is disgusting. The USA Dept of Commerce and the World Bank should come down hard on the country and the company in particular.
slijleong
Fresh-Faced Recruit
Joined: Oct 2007