iriver 3-inch touchscreen "GSM phone" headed for the States

Iriver's been pushing out all sorts of product at this year's CES, but this is the biggest surprise from the company yet. The "iriver GSM phone" is an iPhone-esque handset featuring a 3-inch 480 x 272 touchscreen, and a Linux-based UI that is practically mimics the iPhone feature for feature. The actual hardware is quite similar to iriver's own W7. According to PC Mag, the phone has 4GB of flash storage, Rhapsody and other media support, a two megapixel camera (with video, take that Apple), Adobe Flash support, GPS and mobile TV (it's unclear what type). While we're not sure what sort of wireless options this has, like WiFi or 3G, and what carriers will support it, iriver has committed to bring this to the States. Iriver's Owen Kwon promises the phone will be "more affordable" than the iPhone, but otherwise there's no other info on release. There's video of the phone after the break.

[Mike @ Jan 9th 2008 1:33AM]

Like ducks in a row.

[Matt @ Jan 9th 2008 1:48AM]

Yeah, it's iPhone-ish in terms of UI, but who gives a crap? cheaper
than the iphone + iriver build quality + linux based OS = Greatest
thing ever.. I know I'd buy one.. If there were realeased in
Australia, which nothing ever is!!

Also, before all the iPhone fanboys start going on about how it's a
rip off, can I just say that apple really set a standard when it came
to touch screen UI's, so it only makes sense that when it comes to
early (or rather, not final) builds of touch screen OS's (like this
one) the UI would be iPhone-esque. I'm guessing that in reality, the
final release wouldn't look quite so iphone-ish, iriver really aren't
known for being a rip-off brand..

[Mike10010100 @ Jan 9th 2008 6:20AM]

I'm starting to see the light. I'm no longer getting angry at all the iPhone inspired devices. I'm actually extremely happy. Because I realized that mimicry is the highest form of flattery. The iPhone was the revolutionary product that set the industry in motion. If people can improve on the iPhone's design or interface, have at it. We all will enjoy whatever they can dream up.

[Izzy @ Jan 9th 2008 9:46AM]

If it works as good as it seems to look, I'll get one myself. I love iRiver stuff.

But (just asking) isn't the iPhones OS Unix based as well? It is supposed to be an offspring of OSX which is built on a Unix platform.

Eh, either way, if the price and carrier are right, I'll get one.

[blackjacked @ Jan 9th 2008 10:55PM]

Interesting comment, Matt. "iriver really aren't known for being a rip-off brand.."

Where did the "i" come from?

No i'm not an ipod fan.

[Matt @ Jan 10th 2008 12:03AM]

blackjacked:

First iriver product: 2000
First iPod: 2001
I think that makes it pretty clear. Yes, i know, the iMac had been along for a while before then, but i really don't think iriver's name was really inspired by the iMac, seeing as at the time apple weren't even making DAP's and seriosuly, why would a DAP company rip off the name of a computer?

Hows about you do a little research before you go around making dumbass comments about things you obviously don't understand, k?

And as for you not being an iPod fan, i call BS..

[maveric101 @ Jan 12th 2008 4:53PM]

last time i checked Apple didn't have a copyright on the letter "i"

[mushyho @ Jan 9th 2008 2:00AM]

I want one...

[JohnTitor @ Jan 9th 2008 2:05AM]

"mobile TV (it's unclear what type)"

it's iriver, gotta be DMB

[Brian @ Jan 9th 2008 2:06AM]

This definitely catches my interest. I'll look forward to it's US release when it finally comes.

[slum @ Jan 9th 2008 2:13AM]

i almost crapped a brick cuz i thought it was iAudio. thought i could hook it up to something other than paper cones. but iRiver will do. looks like the phone to get.

[Akshay @ Jan 9th 2008 2:56AM]

iriver is known 4 innovating, they dare to bring out products which are completely different in terms of asthetics, UI et all, look at SPINN or iAMOLED photo tank, or the new Aplayers, thats innovation. Just because, the UI slightly resemble the iphone's doesn't mean its a rip-off, they're just following the innovations of the iphone in terms of the UI and improving upon it. This thing has everything the iphone (improved, maybe) and lot more which I always wanted. Now, if they just make sure WiFi is there, 3G and give it a bump to 8 or 16 GB, this is one heck of a beauty i really want.

[Akshay @ Jan 9th 2008 3:02AM]

^^@waiownsyou
I had meant to reply to waiownsyou....

[waiownsyou @ Jan 9th 2008 2:14AM]

Why do companies keep copying off each other? They need to innovate. That's why Apple is far richer than any of these wanna-bes. Whoever's the head of marketing of these companies should die in a fire or something... wasting natural resources and delivering crap. Sheesh.

[dave @ Jan 9th 2008 2:36AM]

poor man's iphone...

[Matt @ Jan 9th 2008 2:48AM]

How do you know it will be crap?

iriver are famous for producing quality product with fantastic build quality, so get ready to eat your words, and why not a little humble pie, eh?

[riggs @ Jan 9th 2008 8:38AM]

why did apple copy lg then?

[crescentdavid @ Jan 9th 2008 2:32AM]

Yet another erudite voice from the fanboiboi club of Apple. You'd think self-policing would step in sooner or later. Or maybe, at this late stage, you wouldn't.

Love the linux, tv, rhapsody and definitely the flash support. Serious extensibility here .... Look forward to more info. Don't worry, applets, it's all good.

[Bernie B @ Jan 9th 2008 2:45AM]

If you'd seen the coverage of the W10 they showed off at last years CES the interface appears to be what they used on the W10 (PMP, Voip phone). Calling it an iPhone ripoff is silly.

[Matt @ Jan 9th 2008 5:18AM]

Really? forgive me terrible memory lol.. Do you have any links?

btw, I'm pro-iriver here, so no need to go apeshit at me..

[Arnob @ Jan 9th 2008 12:08PM]

http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/08/iriver-w10-hands-on/

ta da!!! i was wondering when someone was going to bring up the w10...darn thing was never released (the w7 a wifi-less version came out though)

[The Man @ Jan 9th 2008 2:46AM]

*Yawn*

[riggs @ Jan 9th 2008 8:41AM]

you must bore really easily.

[Joe @ Jan 9th 2008 2:47AM]

"Iriver's Owen Kwon promises the phone will be "more affordable" than the iPhone,"

That is if 'more affordable' means 'no support.'

[Reader @ Jan 9th 2008 3:07AM]

This is engadget, who actually calls support?

[Joe @ Jan 9th 2008 3:16AM]

Meant 'no support' as in timely software updates.

[Akshay @ Jan 9th 2008 3:37AM]

What do you mean by no support? Do some research before you post, I mean it hasn't been long before the clix was released, and there already have been 20-30 firmware upgrades. This doesn't mean there were lots of bugs, but it meant the iriver guyz have been very active in removing even the smallest of bugs and listening to their users. So, support is not a problem.

[daniel @ Jan 9th 2008 4:55AM]

Joe, iriver's known for its stable and frequent updates. I don't think this will change because of its price.

[jojo @ Jan 9th 2008 4:01AM]

I'm at CES and the registration person and the exhibitor guide have not helped me find iRiver. Where are they???
Anyone have the booth number?

[Al @ Jan 9th 2008 3:19AM]

Are we sure this is going to be linux based because the W7/W10 is Windows CE based. And 4gb may not be enough, but since the W7/W10 and the Spinn have a MicroSDHC card slot, it's safe say this will most likely have it also. Unless we get really lucky and get an SDHC card slot like the P10 and P20.

[gibsonorbust @ Jan 9th 2008 3:29AM]

IF IT AIN'T MULTI-TOUCH, I DON'T CARE 'BOUT IT.

[Mo @ Jan 9th 2008 3:38AM]

For all the apple fan boys that think that the iphone was the first of its kind..lol

[kadajawi @ Jan 9th 2008 4:54AM]

You are kidding, right? iRiver has released firmware for my MP3 player years after it was released, and for players where it was possible even added Ogg Vorbis support, like 2 years after they stopped producing the player. iRiver has a good reputation, and there is a reason for that. Mine is 5 1/2 years old now and works as good as on day one (with almost daily usage) and can still hold up with modern players when it comes to sound quality, usability etc.

Only thing is that knowing this is from iRiver it won't be very affordable. Lower price than Apple? Yeah, after taking of the price you pay for the contract of an iPhone probably.

[Thomas @ Jan 9th 2008 5:27AM]

As long as I'm not forced to pay for online plan, have the ability to make a mp3 a ringtone without having to trick my iphone, apple and cingular, take pictures and video, then most likely I'll be getting this phone. I wonder if I can pay cash for the iriver phone?!

[imacky @ Jan 9th 2008 5:37AM]

This is just sad, this is just an Iphone ripoff.

Cant they make something on their own??? Be more creative for godsake!

all company are copying Iphone now.

[Akshay @ Jan 9th 2008 6:15AM]

If the this a rip-off of the iphone, in that case, you are a rip-off of humans and you should die. Just because they're learning from the innovative UI of apple's, doesn't mean it is a ripoff. Its got a lot more features and come on, its iriver, it has a reputation, and thats not because of nothing.

[dave @ Jan 9th 2008 8:33AM]

Akshay - learning from others is one thing but this is obviously a complete ripoff of the iphone. sure it's got other features, but the UI looks EXACTLY like the one of iphone - right down to the icons on the dashboard.

[3rdsun @ Jan 9th 2008 12:36PM]

As anyone can see this is the same formfactor as the W7 and maybe Clix. This is one of their top players with a gsm chip installed and a polished UI just like the iphone is an ipod with phone functions installed. I love iriver products and this one should be awesome.

[BChau @ Jan 9th 2008 5:41AM]

I have great respect for iRiver ever since I have one of their mp3 player U10. Their quality was of the highest standard. Their innovation truly was outstanding. I hope their new phone would support other mobile TV standards like DVB-H or DVB-T so that it can be used in other parts of the world.

[Twitchy @ Jan 9th 2008 5:42AM]

If it comes with 3G, and is officially released in NZ (manufacturers warranty FTW), then I know one rather innovative company who's getting my money.

[Jonathan Bergeron @ Jan 9th 2008 8:34AM]

doesn't FTW mean "fuck the world"? if it does, then your use of FTW makes absolutely no sense.
Learn when to use your slang words.

[riggs @ Jan 9th 2008 8:43AM]

actually it means "for the win", practice what you preach kiddo.

[Taylor @ Jan 9th 2008 6:21AM]

I'm an Apple fanboi of sorts and hopes that this gets released in the 'iphone nano' kind of market - the price of a non-smart phone, with the touchscreen and things. I'd pay for it, especially if it beats the iPhone to Australia.

[Matt @ Jan 9th 2008 6:37AM]

yeah, we don't get anything here in the aussieland... :(.....

[PEZ @ Jan 9th 2008 7:21AM]

Most of the features listed in the article are not supported in the iphone. Not just Video, but flash, GPSm multiple playback media codec's. Well, if it comes to the US, it will probably be for Tmobile - more than likely.

[Ronald @ Jan 9th 2008 7:19AM]

Looks good, get it to europe quickly!

[marc @ Jan 9th 2008 7:45AM]

mmm....looks like the touchscreen needs a bit of work....not wildly impressed.

[marc @ Jan 9th 2008 7:47AM]

Also a bit of a janky interface...without the finesse of the iphone. If you are going to copy the iphone at least do it better...

[Hinke @ Jan 9th 2008 7:53AM]

Take that steve!

Hinke

[Jonathan Bergeron @ Jan 9th 2008 8:32AM]

So the iPhone now has "Rhapsody and other media support, a two megapixel camera (with video, take that Apple), Adobe Flash support, GPS and mobile TV"? Cause that would be the only way it can mimic the iPhone feature for feature. Since the iPhone doesn't have all that, if does NOT mimic the iPhone. stupid engadget.