Knockoff artists take "nano" in "iPhone nano" too seriously

Okay, so, iPhone nano -- what do you picture? An identical clone of the original scaled down by a third? Yeah, us neither, which is why we're calling out this alleged iPhone nano spy shot as a fraud. We're not disputing that it's real -- in fact, we'd be surprised if it was a Photoshop job, considering how skilled the knockoff manufacturers have become at producing iPhone clones -- we just refuse to believe at this point that Apple would inject zero innovation into the design of the iPhone's baby sib. For what it's worth, though, gadgetzone.nl says that its source absolutely insists that the shots are real and came from within Apple, which of course explains the Brand X monitor and PC keyboard in the background. We'll believe it when Steve shows it, guys.

[Via Unwired View]

Update: It's a media player. Rock on. Thanks, Deniz.

[Trevor @ Oct 27th 2007 11:31AM]

definitely fake.

[donnie @ Oct 27th 2007 12:21PM]

I would buy one :)

[James Yopp @ Oct 27th 2007 3:15PM]

I've actually held this knockoff in my hands... Check out http://jyopp.com/iphone-pmp.jpg

The one they had on display at the market in Zhongguancun (in Beijing) had a plastic film over the screen, but it should be obvious that if it isn't the same thing, the manufacturers were probably sharing notes. It's a plain-vanilla 2GB PMP, and to increase the cheeziness, red illuminated buttons show through the face on all four corners, that look a bit like the LG Chocolate's buttons. No touchscreen, only four buttons using click-switches at the four corners of the face.

[Don Wilson @ Oct 27th 2007 4:11PM]

Stupidest thing I've ever seen.

[Wesburl @ Oct 27th 2007 5:22PM]

"we just refuse to believe at this point that Apple would inject zero innovation into the design of the iPhone's baby sib"
You're absolutely right... Apple has never created something uninspiring, or for that matter done anything stupid...
*cough* iPod Touch
*cough* http://www.engadget.com/2007/10/27/apple-refusing-to-accept-cash-for-iphone-limits-em-to-two-per/

[jamma @ Oct 27th 2007 6:24PM]

How is the iPod Touch stupid??

cheaper (or same price for x2 memory of iPhone), has all the best iPhone features, and there's NO overpriced two year contracts

[Wesburl @ Oct 27th 2007 7:02PM]

Lol....

Please read the comment in order as posted.

Uninnovative was mentioned first = Ipod Touch

Stupid = Apple No likey the Green

Comprende?

[thomas @ Dec 24th 2007 5:46AM]

@donnie, the DigitalRise D1200 Touch has DV camera, memory card slot, FM radio and more..

http://www.chinagrabber.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=1414&HS=1

Don't let ipod of no-name china clones deprive you of the features you should get for that kind of price tag! I got mine, and i am obviously happy with it... :)

[Kevo @ Oct 27th 2007 11:32AM]

They already injected zero innovation into the iPod Touch, so I don't see why they wouldn't just make a smaller iPhone.

[Trevor @ Oct 27th 2007 11:36AM]

Troll.

[enzo @ Oct 27th 2007 11:39AM]

Umm I agree... I think the new nano has little innovation as well, same ipod slightly different shape

[DickHardknocks @ Oct 27th 2007 11:52AM]

you beat me to my comment.

Apple injects ZERO INNOVATION in most products they pedal.

Problem is they market REALLY REALLY WELL.

[Dan @ Oct 27th 2007 12:42PM]

Agreed, since when has Apple been innovative? The only 'innovative' thing Apple's done is the clickwheel...

[bugmat @ Oct 27th 2007 1:57PM]

Agree - I don't see why Apple wouldn't make something like this and charge say $300 (same price point as 8GB Touch but half the memory i.e. 4GB) - its their style. And of course it would only come with the phone, no camera, safari (and quicktime) basic, Google mini-maps and an uneditable and invisible calendar. But it would be the real web in the palm fo your hand ;)

[David Clark @ Oct 27th 2007 11:33AM]

"we just refuse to believe at this point that Apple would inject zero innovation into the design of the iPhone's baby sib"

What's different about the ipod classic that you couldn't get a generation or so previous? Except for coverflow, which stinks anyways. Plus, the nano was nothing but a smaller ipod (no innovation there either, chief)

I think it's fake, but a nano iphone is definately an Apple-esque move.

[Ireland @ Oct 27th 2007 12:10PM]

Totally, I cannot believe anyone would even consider Apple "not" doing a 'nano' iPhone.

I posted this nearly 4 months ago: http://www.flickr.com/photos/83512992@N00/718518654/

[ch0rx @ Oct 27th 2007 12:14PM]

Dont ever expect an iPhone nano. the screen would be WAY to small to type and do 2/3 of the shit iPhone is about. if anything expect iPhone to get bigger. iPhone Phat

[N0iZe @ Oct 27th 2007 11:36AM]

If it's true, it must have a stylus... There is no way to use a keyboard in this thing...

[ShortFuse @ Oct 27th 2007 1:48PM]

T9 via the touchscreen, like the LG Prada

[Alex Whiteside @ Oct 27th 2007 11:49AM]

I dunno, the iPhone design is already slick, and if they were going to strip it down to, say, just a simple iPod interface and phone/texting, the small size wouldn't be too much of an issue. Of course, it's probably fake, I'm just saying I'd be reasonably happy to buy something like that.

[Alex Whiteside @ Oct 27th 2007 11:55AM]

BTW, the "Brand X" keyboard and monitor appear to be Dells.

[Justin McGuirk @ Oct 27th 2007 11:57AM]

Maybe thats just a regular iPhone being held by a guy with really big hands.

[Belmin @ Oct 27th 2007 12:00PM]

Lol ahh you beat me to it.

[AlexForster @ Oct 27th 2007 11:54PM]

ahahaa!

[Flyy (NDF) @ Oct 27th 2007 12:04PM]

@Alex

I have that keyboard, not a Dell. It's just a generic Lite-on OEM KB, similar to this one: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823107120

[Alex Whiteside @ Oct 27th 2007 12:57PM]

That settles it, then. I can't see Apple getting Lite-On keyboards for the office PCs.

[matt @ Oct 27th 2007 12:15PM]

they couldnt even get a picture with the thing on?

pfft..

tbh id be happy/unsurprised if that was the iphone nano form, although what features they going to be taking out worries me..

[Richie @ Oct 27th 2007 12:15PM]

Dont ever expect an iPhone nano. the screen would be WAY to small to type and do 2/3 of the shit iPhone is about. if anything expect iPhone to get bigger. iPhone Phat

[Anthony @ Oct 27th 2007 9:26PM]

actually, i think that they would probably make it slimmer and add more memory to it, like they have with all ipods of the past.

[martin @ Oct 27th 2007 12:20PM]

isnt this the same site that poo-pood the shoddy picture of a third gen nano?

just sayin.

[Ty @ Oct 27th 2007 12:40PM]

And then praised it for its good looks when they found out it was indeed Apple!

[Stvfrank @ Oct 27th 2007 12:27PM]

I'd buy one. The current iphone is to large and makes it impossible sit down while the phone is in your pocket.

[Stephen Levinson @ Oct 27th 2007 12:35PM]

Really? And your wallet, how does that do in ur pocket?.... ( sarcasm )

[Tejas @ Oct 27th 2007 12:38PM]

or could just be the ipod touch nano?
dont need to type there, do you..?!??

[alesandro @ Oct 27th 2007 12:54PM]

No, its not Touch. Touch doesnt have a speaker. This 'nano' has.

[Richard Lai @ Oct 27th 2007 1:14PM]

Hmm... headphone jack at the bottom. This design can't be from Apple.

[Simon @ Oct 27th 2007 1:16PM]

I am glad to see the lack of belief in Apple's new ideas.

I can see this being real, a large portion of the population (older market) want something that is easier to use and don't give a shit out text message or emails. Just make it easy to load some tunes and photos, and small so it'll fit easily in the pocket. And be cheap, which it will be by losing a whole bunch of features.

[rockboy @ Oct 27th 2007 1:51PM]

i think it's just a new iriver clix with a sticker on it.

[Paul @ Oct 27th 2007 1:58PM]

You think that mac employees use macs? LOL!

[mdm-adph @ Oct 29th 2007 9:11AM]

No, they do, but they run them with Windows XP. A crazy bunch, them Apple boys.

[PabloS @ Oct 27th 2007 2:36PM]

- Glossy display
- Silver thingy on ear speaker of phone, instead of a black hole

Fake!

[Comacozi @ Oct 27th 2007 2:51PM]

its the Zune Nano. gosh you guys are so slow!

[Richie @ Oct 27th 2007 3:24PM]

hahaha. so good, thank you.

[Ashhar @ Oct 27th 2007 2:55PM]

iPhone Nano is a no-no simply because by simply scaling it down, iPhone Nano will have an entirely unusable keyboard where a single finger press could result in two keys being pressed at once.

[Dan @ Oct 27th 2007 3:34PM]

It's really an iphone, but he has enormous hands.

[john @ Oct 27th 2007 4:14PM]

Looks like an ONDA VX878 with an extra button added.... junk

[Steven Haskayne @ Oct 27th 2007 5:43PM]

Its clearly a fake as engadget hasnt had to take it down yet as requested by apples lawyers. Also the earpiece wouldnt have the chrome around it too, thats just tacky!!!

Roll on iPhone uk, less than 2 weeks to go now...

[Sam @ Oct 27th 2007 5:47PM]

What's with all the anti-Apple trolls around here. I don't exclusively use Apple stuff. I don't own an iPod but come on, Apple is know for it's innovative nature. They pretty much made the GUI what it is today (I know Xerox invented it, I know I know).

AND just because some of you guys highly rank uninformed posts doesn't make then true.

[Juicebeetle @ Oct 27th 2007 6:42PM]

Their U.S. source claims the pictures "came from within Apple".

Crappy PC keyboard within Apple?
Keyboard w. Euro sign within Apple?
Measurements in millimeters?! (there's a ruler in several Gadgetzone pictures, measuring the 'Nano' in millimeters).

[Jon @ Oct 27th 2007 8:44PM]

The keyboard has an AltGr key too... not US.