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Meizu partners with Karry Auto to sing KIRFer's Delight
Karry Auto (a phonetic mistranslation of the English word "carry") is a division of the Chinese car maker Chery, infamous for getting sued by Chevy for knocking off its designs. Meizu... well, we're guessing you're a little more familiar with the history there. The two companies have joined forces in China, with Karry Auto giving away a Meizu M8 SE with every tiny truck or little van sold until April 30. Should you have any lingering doubts about the legitimacy of the designs of either cars or phones involved in this deal, just take a long look at that guy up there on the right. Everything is A-OK. [Thanks, Etzer]
Meizu MStore open for business, Mr. Jelly on sale now for 29 cents
We have some news on the app store that Meizu announced for the M8 a while back. The official name is apparently MStore, and it is indeed open for business with its first paid app, Mr. Jelly, going for about 29 cents (we believe it's a productivity tool for managing your, um, jelly). If that sounds familiar, it is -- the game is a port of an iPhone App Store gem. Regardless of its somewhat KIRFish nature, we do wish Meizu (its app developers) all the best. Now, when are we going to get Super Monkey Ball for this thing?
Meizu's M8 UI promo video is surprisingly professional, catchy
Oh, Meizu, how do we love thee? Let us count the ways. The KIRF-rooted company has released a promo touting the UI for its M8 phone. If any of it seems familiar, just remember that imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Honestly, we're a bit surprised just how professional the video feels, and the tune's pretty memorable to boot. Get it caught in your head all day, footage is after the break.
Meizu CEO: M8 3G launch pushed, original M8 getting Windows Phone apps (maybe)
In his latest routine forum visit, Meizu CEO Jack Wong dropped a couple of teasers about what's coming up in his fancy Zhuhai-based factory. First is that the M8 3G will need at least another six months to brew, which is slightly off the March release date we last heard. Initial versions will pack W-CDMA (aka, UMTS) and China's own TD-SCDMA radios, then maybe a CDMA version whenever Jack's ready to pay "premium license fees" to enter the "narrow international market [of EV-DO]." Next up is word that apparently the infamous Windows CE-based M8 may get a dose of Windows Phone apps in a future firmware update, courtesy of "a project that Microsoft is working on." Sure, it all sounds great, but given Meizu's record of underestimating the complexities of manufacturing mobile phones, we'll believe it when we see it.
Meizu M8 app store to become reality this month?
Now that Meizu is setting the M8 up with some new firmware and further turning its back on the handset's KIRFish origins, how about an app store? Apparently that's exactly what's happening, as the following video will attest. Not too many details here -- it's called MyStore, and the company is planning to split revenue with developers 30 / 70. The store is currently being tested internally, and with any luck it should see the light of day as a part of the new firmware release later this month. If you've been dying for a chance to play a Chinese knockoff of BubbleWrap, that day is finally drawing near! See for yourself after the break.
New Meizu M8 beta firmware looking desirable, bordering on original
It's been almost three years since we saw our first taste of the Meizu M8, which was at that point a fairly shameless rip of the iPhone, albeit mostly theoretical. In the ensuing years we've seen an ever-changing OS and two generations of hardware, but we might be finally coming upon something worth lusting after. The new M8 Firmware 1.0.0.1 beta has been demo'd on video, and seems to be taking some new cues from Android and Windows Mobile -- along with some original and sexy UI elements of Meizu's own devising -- that really set it apart from its iPhone-aping days of yore. We're particularly fond of the unlock screen, which has three icons at the bottom that can be swiped-up like an Android app drawer, but with quick access to phone and messages, similar to how Windows Mobile 6.5 can be unlocked into multiple modes. Apparently the OS is only 50% ready, and there's no telling how many changes we might see between now and when it's finished, but for now we're fairly impressed. Video is after the break.
Meizu M8 Second Edition rights all of the M8's wrongs, or not
You could fault the infamous M8 for being eons late; you could fault it for shipping without a quadband EDGE / WiFi / 3G version; you could fault it for dancing in and out of the straight-up iPhone ripoff arena from its very inception; you could fault it for being really hard to find and buy outside of China. Most of that bellyaching can't be solved with a few tweaks here and there, but that's not stopping Meizu from whipping up a facelifted M8 SE with a few carefully-planned changes here and there. As far as we can tell this isn't the 3G remake we've all been waiting for, rather just a handful of minor touch-ups to keep the original model fresh for a while longer: better signal strength, an easier-to-use SIM slot, new firmware, and new packaging, just to name a few. Sounds like it'll be shipping for 1,999 yuan (about $293) in China, which would actually make this a nearly-perfect midrange unlocked Android set. [Thanks, nice2know_u]
Video: Meizu M8 seemingly runs Android, definitely sets expectations too high
Ah, the Meizu M8. Undoubtedly the funnest smartphone ever to talk about, though based on shipping success rates, it's probably not the phone to order if you actually value the whole "getting what you paid for" thing. Dodgy ownership aside, we've been waiting for Google's own mobile operating system to splash down on the M8 since June, and if the video seen down there in the read link is to be believed, said scenario has finally become reality. All we're shown are a few swiping motions, but when you're talking Meizu, that's all you really need to believe.[Thanks, Bidur]
Magazine hints at Olympus E-P2 before year's end, Leica M9 for September
There's not exactly much in the way of specifics on either of these just yet, but the usually-reliable French magazine, Chasseur d'Image, has seemingly revealed in its latest issue that Olympus will be rolling out its E-P1 followup, the E-P2, before the end of the year, and that Leica will be releasing its M8 successor, the M9, as soon as September. The real kicker is that the E-P2 is said to be bringing with it an oft-desired viewfinder, while the M9 will reportedly be a full-frame camera, and presumably cost more than a small car. Of course, neither are anywhere close to being official, but it may not be the worst idea to stick with your current gear a little while longer to see how things shake out.Read - Photo Rumors, "Chasseur d'Image magazine: Leica M9 in September"Read - Leica rumors, "Olympus EP-2: released before the end of the year, with a viewfinder"[Thanks, Tony]
Sneak peek at Meizu M8's new user interface
Heads up, Meizu fanboys! We just got a sneak peak at the M8's new UI (said to be dropping in August when the handset gets its firmware update) and you know what? It looks like a UI. Pretty k-rad, right? Check out the other two face-melting pics after the break, if you dare.[Via Meizu Me]
Meizu CEO: current M8 upgradeable to 3G, estimated cost about $190 to $220
We know, we know, it's gonna be awfully hard to part with the comfort of your current beloved Meizu M8, but trust us, change can be good. We've already heard reports of an Android-centric UI refresh, and now company CEO J. Wong has chimed in to outline a tentative upgrade plan for the upcoming M8 3G. Current users of the eerily familiar 8GB / 16GB device will need to pay approximately 1,300 RMB to 1,500 RMB (translation: about $190 to $200 US) for next year's model. Oddly enough, despite these estimates, he's not confirming any market selling price. Wong also adds the screen size has been expanded from the initially planned 3.54 inches diagonal to 3.6, with same 720 x 480 resolution. Keep saving your pennies, last we heard launch date was still (lightly) penciled in for March 2010.
Meizu M8 gets new UI, possibly Android?
This one's for all of you Meizu fanboys out there: To tide you over while you wait for the M8 3G launch in March 2010 (with a possible M8 3G S planned for Smarch 2043 or thereabouts) the company's announced that the handset will be getting a UI refresh with its firmware 1.0 release come August. Keep in mind that the above image only shows the flowchart that the kids at the eico design lab are using to concoct all their fantastic new transitions and animations, and not the interface itself. And if that isn't enough to keep you entertained this fine morning, it looks like Meizu has put together a team "with the sole purpose of investigating the Android platform." Whether or not this "investigation" will amount to anything remains to be seen, and it doesn't look like the company has any serious intentions for this device beyond the domestic Chinese market, but who knows? Maybe there is a Meizu handset with the open source OS in your (distant) future. Stranger things have happened.[Thanks, nice2know_u]Read - Meizu M8 interface getting completely redoneRead - Meizu Android squad hard at work
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 CCXI: MeiLi M8 is a Meizu clone, sans the drama
There's just too much inherent greatness here to bothering nursing it out: Meizu's iPhone-aping M8 just got its very own imitator in the $99 MeiLi M8. The phone harbors all of those design distinctions that Meizu so carefully implemented into its hardware to differentiate from the iPhone, but oddly goes for an iPhone cloning interface. Best of both worlds? Something like that.[Via PMP Today]
Meizu talks M8 followup: 3G, GPS, 5-megapixel camera
The Meizu M8 may have only just recently ceased to be a figment of our collective imagination, but the always talkative J. Wong (Meizu's CEO, if he needs any introduction) is already dropping some hints about the next version of the phone, which may or may not actually be the M9. While there's no word on any changes to the design of the device just yet, it will apparently get a much-needed 3G upgrade (as earlier rumored), along with built-in GPS, a new and improved 5-megapixel camera with an LED flash and, no doubt, entirely new levels of KIRF. Still itching for more vague details?Just wait a bit, Meizu has this down to an art at this point.[Via thegadgetsite]
Meizu releasing upgraded M8 versions with 3G and big cams?
As decent as the M8's software might be, the one consensus area where everyone's favorite iPhone rip is clearly lacking is in the radio silicon; the current model's strictly 2G, and what's worse, the shipping units frequently come without WiFi. What's a Meizu fan to do? The company's ever-colorful CEO Jack Wong is now saying that there are a couple new versions of the M8 in the works -- which may launch in place of the previously-mentioned M9 variants -- and should include both GPS and a healthy 5 megapixel cam. An "M8 3G" would be rocking TD-SCDMA for domestic Chinese high-speed service, while a second "M8w" model would do some form of WCDMA, presumably equipped for 3G service both in and out of the country. No release dates are mentioned -- but considering the M8's seemingly perpetual delay, we wouldn't hold our breath for a 2009 outing.[Via Meizu Me, thanks nice2know]
Keepin' it real fake, part CCIII: New York Times undercover edition
When the New York Times sent one of its ace reporters to Shenzhen to check out the KIRF scene, they came to a startling conclusion: these things are really quite popular. And why not? Your iPhone might be a terrific device, but is it really $400 better than the Hi-Phone, or the iorgane? Well, it's probably $400 better than the iorgane -- we'll give you that one. The article sites a general lack of concern from the Chinese government, new technology such as Mediatek's turnkey circuit board solution, and a significant drop in the price of parts as reasons that knock-off phones are so prominent in that part of the world. There is also a bit of cultural pride at work, too: purchasing "shanzhai" technology is sometimes seen as a way to thumb your nose at the big players in the industry and throw some work to your local bandit. That said, we do have to cry foul at the way the paper lumps our beloved Meizu M8 in with the usual assortment of knock-offs: the thing sports nary an Apple (or "organe") on its handsome exterior. Check out the price breakdown on a typical $40 KIRF after the break.[Thanks, Ben]
Meizu M8 coming in white next month?
It's still pretty hard to come across an original black M8 in most parts of the world, but that's not stopping Meizu from outing a second color already, it seems. Rumor has it that dealers are expecting deliveries of white M8s as soon as this Friday, and this picture certainly looks legit enough -- not to say we'd put it past a rabid Meizu fan to create their own white shell -- and we've gotta say, we like what we see. That said, we're still waiting for an HSPA 850 / 1900 version before we take the plunge ourselves, which means we could be waiting a while. And when we say "a while," we mean "we're expecting another 40 colors first," but who knows -- maybe our grandchildren can some day experience the splendor of a 3G M8 in sparkling magenta. [Via Meizu Me]
Leica M8 Special Edition White on sale in June for a very special $9,000
Sure, that white leather and chrome looks good now, but how's it going to look after a few months of handling? Is a beige Leica M8 with muck and ass accents really worth ¥882,000 (about $9,000)? Rangefinder fans will undoubtedly say yes when this goes on sale in Japan in June.
Leica special edition white M8 spotted at car show in Tokyo
Some keen-eyed fellows at the Audi Forum Tokyo car show were just hanging out, checking out an R8, when bam! The recently announced special edition white Leica M8 appeared out of thin air, ready to impress. We don't know what the circumstances were, or how the cam came to be there, but it's looking really fly, we can tell you that much. There's still no official word on pricing or availability, but rumor has it that it's going to appear sometime in May and might cost around €7,000 (about $9,150). One more shot after the break.
