Keepin' it real fake, part CLXXVI: iPhone Air jockeys for "best ripoff ever" award

For those with a whiteboard full of Apple rumors, you'll been keenly aware of the fact that the whole iPhone Air terminology has been tossed around before in a joking manner. This, however, is not a joke. In fact, it's a very real KIRF, and it's possibly one of the most awesome we've ever seen. We mean, who'd ever want an iPhone nano when one could have -- wait for it -- the iPhone Air. Aside from clean, beautiful, streamlined edges, those fortunate enough to procure one from China will also find dual SIM card slots, an FM radio, Bluetooth, a multimedia player and a built-in camera. The KIRF game just got stepped up good fashion, and we love it.

[Thanks, David]

[Marcus @ Jan 5th 2009 8:40AM]

I think this is what's going to be released at MacWorld. Actually I'm pretty effing sure!

[Flashpoint @ Jan 5th 2009 9:01AM]

I think the only thing worse than having your intellectual property ripped off - is having your intellectual property ripped off, but, improved with features consumers actually want:

FM radio
3.5mm Headphone jacks
copy/paste
USB charging
user-replaceable batteries

and the list goes on and on.

[kal326 @ Jan 5th 2009 1:36PM]

@Flashpoint

If its got copy and paste, I'm sold.....

[Sim @ Jan 5th 2009 8:42AM]

And..what appears to be android?

(On the link from the red iphone article. Which really ought to be THIS article, but y'know, two pointless apple posts are one more than one.)

[Boarderwoot @ Jan 5th 2009 8:51AM]

I clicked on the read link and didn't see a phone. All I saw was the ad for the woman in her underwear...

[wolf4537 @ Jan 5th 2009 8:44AM]

Won't surprise me if they eventually come out with the "Macbook Touch".

[Jman @ Jan 5th 2009 9:04AM]

Yeah, probably. I think HP already has a touch pc. Apple is sure to have their own.

[Troels C @ Jan 5th 2009 9:47AM]

MacRumors say it's gonna wait until at least fall 2009, and I think they are right. There has been rumors of a large iPod Touch and a MacBook Nano. We are probably gonna see something in between, and most likely not before Apple is done building an OS and interface for it.

[mac boy @ Jan 5th 2009 8:48AM]

does it have copy and paste :P

[superhobo @ Jan 5th 2009 9:15AM]

Probably works better than the iPhone too.

Oh no, I did it.

[Andrew @ Jan 5th 2009 11:26AM]

What doesn't work better than the iphone? it is just an apple version of what the HTC touch diamond would be if it ran on Android.

And if anyone says the htc touch diamond is an iphone copy then 1) FANBOI!!!!!!, and 2) the HTC was released before the iphone and the standard touch even before the diamond

[David MacMillan @ Jan 5th 2009 9:18AM]

@Flashpoint

"I think the only thing worse [...] is having your intellectual property [...] improved with features consumers actually want:

[...]
3.5mm Headphone jacks...."

Because the iPhone 3G...doesn't have 3.5mm headphone jacks? LOL.

Honestly that's a pretty flippin' awesome form factor; let's see it done up like this: http://www.phonemag.com/apple-transparent-trackpad-patent-suggests-clamshell-iphone-031749.php and I'll buy it. Actually, I'll find a problem with my present phone and get Apple to upgrade me, but....

[Josh Ladella @ Jan 5th 2009 10:34AM]

its actually not that bad for a fake

[Peter @ Jan 5th 2009 11:28AM]

Well - for a fake - I wish the "fakers" would pay attention to one GIANT detail noteable in ALL Apple products - granted the Apple logo itself on these phones is pretty slick - it is upside down! Yes - upside down! Apple always sets the logo to show itself when the device is in use - in other words, when that iPhone Air is flipped open, the Apple logo would then be facing upright - just like on the MacBooks - people looking across the coffee bar or library can see I am using an Apple when the lid is open - as if it is meant for them to see it - a little marketting gag, but a good one. Dell does the same with their laptops...

[bigcow05 @ Jan 5th 2009 12:40PM]

@ Peter:

My G3 Powerbook has the upside-down Apple logo when the notebook is opened :P

[Josh Ladella @ Jan 5th 2009 12:46PM]

Yeah, I noticed that...

However, Apple actually had their own logo upside down for their colored iBook G3 series...

[Josh Ladella @ Jan 5th 2009 12:46PM]

Wow, bigcow, I didn't even see you there...

[Noah Kravitz @ Jan 5th 2009 10:55AM]

Dude, this was at LAST YEAR'S MacWorld:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B-JssvlOtpA

[leo @ Jan 5th 2009 11:33AM]

But I got an iPhone Air fro Christmas...are you telling me it's fake? pfft, my gypsy father told me he got it from the apple store so I believe him.

[Andrew @ Jan 5th 2009 11:34AM]

It would also be awesome if if ran on windows mobile ;)

[Jon Nelson @ Jan 5th 2009 1:01PM]

@ Andrew

Um, I support HTC over Apple, but the standard Touch and the iPhone aren't really comparable.

So while you're busy screaming fanboy at all the Apple supporters here, you're busy looking like a jackass on the other end of the spectrum.

[WeaponII @ Jan 5th 2009 1:06PM]

Okay, even I am concerned about the balance between Apple "news" and Microsoft news.

This wasn't necessary to post especially considering even the sister site, TUAW, hasn't posted it yet. It's also since he won't be participating in any keynotes this year.

[iRok @ Jan 5th 2009 2:05PM]

All I want is horizontal texting. Is that so much to ask for?

[MattToska @ Jan 5th 2009 2:10PM]

I wouldnt doubt smthin called a iphone air comin out........being that nano low cost rumor
but i dont care
i just belive in a whole new se of features almost 3.0
by june at the least or lil ones in between
copy n paste
MMS spp store app or add on
im also seein backround type stuff
or themes
as in themes i mean alont theborder of the screen.....the doc part of ur home menu
ur keyboad and address bars
makin hime screens for ur friends so its personal on the screen wen u txtin them
u kno lil tweaks that barely any1 has but wod make u do a back flip if woke up n updated
and BLAMO!
opinionS?

[Baozer @ Jan 5th 2009 6:20PM]

lol

[Ilja @ Jan 5th 2009 7:02PM]

What the hell happened to Meizu M8 lately, It is already released for one month, where is engadget with a full review ????