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If a Genesis and a Wii had a baby, it would be Sega Zone
You're traveling through another dimension -- a dimension not only of sight and sound but of retro games. A journey into a wondrous console containing a bunch of old Genesis games and some generic motion-controlled games. That's the signpost up ahead. Your next stop: the Sega Zone. Pocket Lint has images of a new licensed Sega console called the Sega Zone (or the Zone Sega, according to the box), out in the UK this summer, that contains 20 Genesis classics and 30 new games, 16 of which can be played with the device's two wireless motion controllers. Essentially a Firecore Classic Console crossed with the "Zone 40," an existing knockoff Wii console, the Sega Zone also features a cartridge slot so you can play your copy of McDonalds' Treasure Land Adventure. It'll sell for £39.95 (about $60) in the UK. [Via GoNintendo]
Keepin' it real fake, part CCXLIX: Cool K07 is the ultimate facePalm
Yeah, yeah -- we've seen a fairly weak effort to ape the Pre before, but this... this is the knockoff webOS device your shady side has been waiting for. A dead ringer for the Palm Pre, the Cool K07 boasts a luscious 2.8-inch touchscreen (320 x 240 resolution), a T-Flash card slot, a 2 megapixel camera, inbuilt speaker, MP3 / MP4 player, a blazing fast connection to the web (GPRS, if you must know), Bluetooth, an FM radio tuner, alarm clock, a few games and room for 1,000 contacts. Granted, there's none of that fancy "Synergy" stuff, and we're guessing you won't find any "cards" or "multitasking" here, but for $128 unlocked and room for the SIM card of your choice, how on Earth could you complain? Exactly. You can't. Or maybe that's just stunned silence we hear... [Thanks, Dechris]
Keepin' it real fake, part CCXLV: the Nokia iPhone
Alright, so iPhone and N97 knock-offs probably aren't the rarest of gems around these days, but how many handsets do you know that can lay claim to being both? The Cooli902 takes the iPhone's 3.5-inch touchscreen, spit-shines a pretty realistic iPhone OS clone-job, and then adds the Nokia flavor with a fully fledged QWERTY keypad ripped straight from the heart of the N97. Not only does it open to that familiar angle, it also sports the same layout and what we can only imagine to be the same violent opening mechanism as found on the original Nokia handset. And to think that poor Philippe Starck had to pick between these two phones, when for only $143 we could have had both. More pics after the break, or hit the read link to get your own.
Keepin' it real fake, part CCXLIV: Zoho's E72 is made in China, has Finland doing a double-take
Having trouble getting your hands on that Nokia E72? Perhaps you favor a handset with a TV tuner? Zoho's KIRF E72 features the aforementioned tuner, dual sim, QWERTY keypad, WiFi, JAVA, FM tuner, and both rear and front-facing 1.3MP cameras. Rest assured, the UI looks nothing like what you'd get with from Finland. But did we mention that you could watch TV on the thing? Video after the break.
Keepin' it real fake, part CCXLIII: faux MacBook Air review (video)
Our good friends at Shanzai.com have recently got their hands on what they believe to be the king of all MacBook Air KIRFs, and put it through the ringer. Expecting a laugh riot? Not so fast -- what we have here is a pretty decent netbook, apparently. Features include an Intel Atom N280, 13-inch display, good build quality, a form factor similar in size and weight to Apple's original, a real chicklet keyboard, a remote control, and I/O options rivaling the original (including an Ethernet port, two USB ports, and HDMI). Not bad for $260. But don't take our word for it -- peep the video after the break for the whole sordid tale.
HiPhone F320: 'a rotary phone and an iPod nano walk into a bar...'
With a name like HiPhone, it has to be good, right? Totally. The outfit famous for knocking off RIM's BlackBerry Storm in impressive fashion is back, this time with a psychedelic mishmash that could make even the most hardened soul chuckle once or twice. The F320 is -- as you can so clearly see above -- a terribly funny combination of iPod nano and rotary phone, and while we wouldn't trust the specifications for a minute, we're told that it's a dual-band GSM handset with a built-in multimedia player, FM tuner, camera, 2.6-inch touchscreen and Bluetooth. There's no mention of a price (unless you're willing to commit to buying a few hundred), but trust us, it's better that way.[Via PMP Today]
Mini MP3 DV Cam shoves a camcorder into old iPod shuffle enclosure
Okay, so we know this version of the shuffle hasn't been on Apple's pages for a few weeks now, but there's still something curiously awesome about a shuffle with a camcorder. You know -- considering that the Cupertino-based company won't even add a video camera to the iPod touch. The Mini MP3 DV Cam, which is meticulously crafted by one Xiangyun Industry Co., Limited, seems to be a camcorder / camera alone, with no music playback functionality to speak of. Packing a 1.3 megapixel sensor capable of logging VGA-quality (640 x 480 resolution) clips, the device can also snag stills and store 'em on the user-provided memory card. The good news is that this gem costs just $15 to $30 depending on the amount you order; the bad news is the 100 item order minimum. Anyone down for a group buy? Bueller?[Via Red Ferret]
Keepin' it real fake, part CCXXXVIII: Palm Pre knockoff doesn't know what it wants to be when it grows up
Yes, this was only a matter of time, and we're a little surprised we didn't see one earlier. Regardless, this is the Palm Pre knockoff we've been waiting for. Seemingly called just iPhone +QWERTY -- this KIRF is being marketed as just that -- a real business phone with a hybrid identity blending the BlackBerry and the iPhone. And really, that's not too bad of a description for this little dude, we guess. Boasting analog TV, Bluetooth, and an FM radio, it runs the much-loved OPhone operating system, and can be had for 600 RMP (about $88). There are two more shots after the break. Hit the read link for a full peek.[Via PMP Today]
Is that a PSP Go? Nope, it's a PSP Faux
Look, China -- we need to have a talk. We know you're back up to your old tricks again, trying to sell people knock-offs of Sony's new PSP Go handheld. We thought you learned your lesson last time? You had made all of these promises, told us how you were going to get your life back on track and now we have to find out about your Slide Panel Retro from some website? Where's the communication? We don't care if the thing has 4GB of space, a built-in camera, mp3 player and emulation software, it's just not right! To say we're disappointed would be an understatement.So, here's what we're going to do: We're cutting you off. No more joyriding in the Jag or going down to Toshi Station to waste time with your friends. This is it, we're washing our hands of you . Do what you want, we won't be responsible anymore.[Via Siliconera]
China's KIRF marketplace captured on hidden camera
Love 'em, loathe 'em, or love to loathe 'em as you will, but the humble KIRF has a big place in our geek DNA -- that's why we were tickled when the gang over at Shanzhai.com paid the markets of Shenzhen, China, a 60 Minutes-esque visit complete with hidden camera. Although we've been hearing tales for years now about the legendary stalls deep in the heart of KIRFdom, Western visitors have rarely made the trip -- until now! And this clip has it all, including one of our all-time favorite head scratchers: the Buddha handset. But don't take our word for it -- grab yourself some popcorn and move on past the break to see it for yourself.
Pre ad is to iPhone ad as dude is to lady in Aerosmith song of the same name
What can I say? White background, disembodied finger and digi-creepy stillness of the device... the Bell [Canada] version of an ad for the Palm Pre looks hilariously like an iPhone ad. View the videos and judge for yourself. Then get a Pre if you are compelled to do so. It has maps and Twitter and you can touch and rotate and slide it. Bell version and an iPhone ad Spooky, isn't it? Of course, there are only so many ways to illustrate the feature set of a multi-touch smartphone, aren't there? It's like when Newhart was sued by the guy who also wrote a handyman book. There are, in fact, only so many ways to explain how to nail a nail, Dick explains. Lucky us, all smartphone ads will now follow this format, making it much easier to determine which phone is best for us. Thanks, Bell! [thanks to Philip Lam for the tip!] Update: And here's an iPhone ad's audio on top of the Bell/Pre ad. Note the flow and that "how cool is that?" pops up at a cosmically opportune moment.
Keepin' it real fake, part CCXXVI: Soniphone C908 takes a little o' this, a little o' that
Well, what do we have here? The Soniphone C908 is just a confused mishmash of branded signals -- Sony Ericsson is plainly visible across the top of the LCD, but a little Walkman branding was thrown in under it just for added fun. And, just in case you needed another, completely different reason to have your interest piqued, they threw in a wheel that is suspiciously iPod-like. This classy baby is undoubtedly worth every penny (it'll run you about $117 to grab one), if you decide you can't live without one. One more shot after the break.[Via PMP Today]
Keepin' it real fake, part CCXXIV: Hello Kitty Phone 3G is our next impulse buy
We aren't usually so taken in by a KIRF. In fact -- we've seen so many knockoff iPhones, we had started to consider ourselves steeled against their charms -- and then along came Hello Kitty Phone 3G. What is it about HKP3G that we love so much, you ask? Is it the happily tooled pink background scene on the facade of the phone? Is it the hideously realized user interface, complete with typos and a blatant disregard for capitalization standards we've all respected since the 19th century? Is it the little kitty on the solo button? Is it the name? Is it the fact that, at $99, it would cost us just as much to own one as a real, actual, iPhone 3G? Answer: it's all of those things. We're getting one. There's another shot of this masterpiece after the break.[Via Chip Chick]
Keepin' it real fake, part CCXXI: Apple's iPhone and iPod nano hook up, combine
Hey, Apple -- you know that inspiration you've been looking for in order to concoct a proper iPhone nano? We just found it. Over in some seedy warehouse in the depths of Shenzhen, the aptly titled iphone nano has emerged. As you could likely surmise, this completely improper knockoff gentle combines the best features from Apple's iPhone and the iPod nano to create a singular, if not awkward device. Heck, there's even a 5 megapixel camera, which easily trumps the 3.2 megapixel shooter on the iPhone 3GS. It's all yours for just 90 bones, and you don't even have to sign your cellular soul away to AT&T. Look out Apple, we get the feeling this thing's going to be huge.[Thanks, facelessloser]
Keepin' it real fake, part CCXVIII: iPhome 3G for the wim!
Sure, we've seen plenty of iPhone clones in our day, but we'll say this: this is the clome to beat all clomes. It really takes the KIRF standard up a notch, running the best fake OS X we've seen to date. This one's identity is less confused than many of the knockoffs we usually see, and if you're lucky enough to get your hands on one of these 4GB having-babies... well, you just might be able to convince your grandma that it's the iPhone 3G S. Video is after the break.[Via PMP Today]
Meizu M8 3G gets full specifications list, "planned" March 2010 release date
That little phone thing that Apple maybe-probably has planned for Monday? Yeah -- totally pales in comparison to what Meizu has up its sleeves. The long (long!) awaited M8 3G has finally been detailed, and the full specifications list is now available for your perusal. We're seeing TD-SCDMA and WCDMA radios, an 800MHz or 1GHz Samsung processor, 3.54-inch display (with a staggering 720 x 480 resolution), USB 2.0 connectivity, 8GB or 16GB of flash storage, a 5 megapixel camera with LED flash and of course, the infamous Meizu OS. There's also support for Bluetooth 2.0, GPS, multi-touch, a light sensor and tilt sensing. Go ahead and mark your iCals, folks, 'cause this one's got a rock-solid "planned" release date of March 2010. Where's the time machine when you really need, it?[Via PMP Today]
Keepin' it real fake, part CCXV: HiPhone Nano meets Aura in a knock-off of modest proportions
The Egs HiPhone Nano F210 borrows some of the aura of... well, the Aura. And why not? Half the fun of the KIRF scene is the way that these bandits mix and match aspects of devices according to whatever crazy whim they might be experiencing at the moment. (The other half of the fun? Exploding batteries, of course.) Along with the stylish and quite possibly functional iPod click wheel, this bad boy features: tri-band GSM, a 1.4-inch screen, VGA camera, Bluetooth A2DP, FM tuner, and some sort of media player. As China Grabber puts it: "This is tailor-made for small girls in mobile phones, will the pursuit of individuality, culture, dare to do you a taste of delicacy!!!" Yours today for $139.99. If you're feeling lucky (or you've done something wrong in your past) hit that read link and see for yourself.[Via PMP Today]
Imobile phoneV588 makes calls, could hold your foundation
Not that we haven't seen compact-themed cellphones before, but we'd argue that the Imobile phoneV588 is about as suggestive as it gets. This dual-band GSM "handset" looks more like the next big thing from Cover Girl than your next mobile, with a circular form factor, pop-up lid, a built-in mirror and a design that would've totally worked in Princess Diaries. If you're curious about hard specs, you'll find a 2.6-inch LCD, an integrated MP3 / MP4 player, speakers and USB connectivity. Oh, and your guess is as good as ours on the whole "dialing / texting" aspect. Freshen up your social life for just $119.99.[Via PMP Today]
Keepin' it real fake, part CCXIII: Magic trick goes awry on eBay
Sigh. Where to begin? It looks like a Magic, it smells like a Magic, but the perfectionist in us fully understands that it's absolutely not a Magic. The self-proclaimed followup to HTC's G1 has itself an impostor, and that very shammer is parading around on eBay for the low, low price of $122.99. Granted, that doesn't buy you an HTC logo, Android or 3G, but hey, it just might fool a few folks on the subway. Take it from us, though, it's totally not worth the risk of embarrassment.[Thanks, Jeremy]
Keepin' it real fake, part CCXII: Nokia's N86 cloned ahead of release
It's a sad state of things in the smartphone arena, folks. Nokia can't even get its forthcoming N86 out of the door in official fashion before the cloning labs in China push out a suitable impostor. Of course, it's not as if this hasn't happened to Nokia before, but with such an anti-knockoff mentality, you think it'd take a little action to make the nightmare stop. Or maybe it secretly adores the attention -- yeah, that has to be it.[Thanks, Jason]
