m8
Latest
Meizu's MiniOne M8 GUI exposed: shame on you J. Wong
Ok Meizu, seriously, with your M7 announced a week after the iPod touch and your CEO J.Wong just posting these new interface shots of the M8 to your user forum, how can we or any straight talking rag not call you for what you are: a brazen Chinese Apple cloning machine? We understand that any full-screen, touchscreen phone or DAP will look pretty similar given the limited panel sizes available to manufacturers. The possibilities with the user interface are however, infinite. We already know that you have a half dozen or so iPhones in-house so please, just admit to your "inspiration." No more weightless claims that your design appeared four days before the iPhone unveiling. You're not fooling anyone. %Gallery-7664%[Via MeizuMe]
Meizu's M8 MiniOne shipping January 17th?
Alright, so this isn't straight from the horse's mouth, but this potential ship date for the Meizu M8 definitely vibes with what we've heard up until now. This one has a new price too, at $788.50, which is a fair amount less than the $989 number floating around. Anyway, sounds like we'll have a few months yet until the 16GB iPhone influenced phone hits. Why so long, Meizu?[Thanks, Alexander]
First "real" snapshots of Meizu's M8 supposedly surface
We'll be the first to admit that the first "real" photographs of Meizu's M8 still appear mighty doctored, but hey, so long as the final product looks this good, we'll be content. Nevertheless, the firm has made available three supposed snapshots for us to drool over, and while we're far beyond the point of actually believing anything these guys say in regard to a release date, the latest news on that front has the finalized unit ready for testing by the year's end. 'Course, there's still no set date for actually getting it into the needy hands of consumers everywhere, but the most recent price estimates peg the 4GB M8 at 2,380CNY ($314) and the 8GB version at 2,880CNY ($380). Per usual, feel free to peep the other two snaps after the jump.[Via MyMiniOne]
Meizu M8 gets unwelcome price hike, dodgy release details
Sure hope you weren't counting on getting your palms around Meizu's oh-so-familiar M8 anytime soon, as it now looks like the handset may not even be available to purchase until mid-next year. Granted, the 667MHz CPU, 128MB of RAM, GSM connectivity, 3.4-inch VGA touchscreen, video output, and built-in Bluetooth 2.0 / WiFi sure are appealing, but those still willing to wait this one out will apparently be paying even more than previously expected. The latest on the street pegs the forthcoming 8GB iteration at around $400, but if money ain't a thang, you may as well continue on pinching those pennies for the 16GB (and potentially 3G-enabled) flavor.[Via MeizuMe]
Meizu responds to iPhone launch... with more M8 pictures
Nothing really new here, just the first pictures of the latest MiniOne M8 redesign from the sides, top, bottom, and back. Sorry, we'd love to tell you when this 11.8-mm of sexy will break loose Stateside and beyond but we can't. Still, if it makes you feel any better you can always prop these pictures up next to the dubious import pricing and dates we heard about this morning. You know, with claims of releasing a game changing 3G, HSDPA with WiFi worldphone packing 16GB of flash by early 2008... isn't it about time for Meizu to get this project out of their Chinese language bulletin boards and issue an honest to goodness foreign press release? In the mean time, we'll continue to cast doubt while you go toe-to-toe with product renderings in the gallery. Oh, and before you go... it looks like an iPhone. Ha, you didn't think you'd escape this post without some kind of Apple reference did ya?%Gallery-4444%
Meizu's 16GB MiniOne M8: $989 in 2008?
Official word from China is that the Meizu MiniOne (AKA, M8, the original iPhone killer) is expected to go up for sale in early 2008. While the final specs and price have still not been confirmed, that hasn't stopped importers from listing the 16GB version of the 3G MiniOne for $988.50 and a claimed "in stock" date of December 7th -- a date which may live in infamy (again) if true.[Via PMP Today, thanks BrianB]
Meizu's latest MiniOne (M8) incarnation
Here you have it, what looks to be a (re-touched) photograph of a real engineering sample of the Meizu MiniOne (M8). The picture was posted by CEO, Jack Wong, with the promise of more pictures to come in a "few days." At the moment, the 58 x 105 x 11.8-mm M8 is said to carry a spec list which includes a 667MHz ARM11 processor running a Windows CE 6.0 kernel up on a 3.3-inch, 720 x 480 pixel touchscreen display. The MiniOne M8 model will pack GSM with EDGE data while the MiniOne M8 w ("w" for worldphone we presume) is said to go WCDMA/HSDPA/GSM/EDGE. WiFi, Bluetooth, and what appears to be a 3 megapixel camera also come standard with your choice of 4, 8, and 16GB of flash capacities. While we've seen pricing and an "end of 2007" release date before, the specs have changed so dramatically since then that we'll just have to continue holding tight as this pup evolves. You know, if they can actually push this wunderkind out the door. [Via MeizuMe] Read -- Specs Read -- Picture
Meizu updates miniOne: clearly, it's no iPhone clone
With high hopes of putting some litigation distance between it and Apple, Meizu just released these updated renderings of their M8 / miniOne. Still no actual product shots though we hear that a prototype is floating around Meizu offices somewhere in China. So what say you -- is this change enough to keep Apple's lawyers at bay? [Via MeizuMe]
Details emerge on Meizu M8 miniOne pricing
Meizu's king, lord and ruler, Mr. L Wong, has posted a couple tasty tidbits about this touch screen, MP3 playin', stylish little cellphone (that looks absolutely nothing like an iPhone) on the Meizu forums. Apparently -- and please take this with at least one good pinch of salt -- the M8 miniOne will come in two flavors: an entry-level plus a standard version. Both of these devices feature that mad mad 3.2 inch, 720 x 480 screen, and will come in either 4GB or 8GB editions. The only significant difference betwixt the two seems to be the addition of a camera for the standard edition, but word is that a camera add-on will be available. Pricing for these little gems is the best bit, with entry level ringing in at roughly $195 and $285 followed by standard edition at $305 and $400 for 4GB and 8GB respectively. Ok, reality check! While all of this sounds plausible and we want to believe it , we really do -- we just can't see this ever landing over here, as rumor has it Apple protects its intellectual property.[Via Meizu Me]
Meizu upgrades Music Card, spills deets on miniOne
Chinese manufacturer Meizu is nothing if not prolific, which accounts for not one but two bits of interesting news coming out of the company today. First up are some details on its Music Card digital audio player, which we now know will come in 2, 4, and 8GB varieties, each packing a 176 x 132 1.5-inch display, a built-in FM radio, and a promised 20 hours of juice from the battery, not to mention a whole range of interchangeable face plates. Apparently, these'll sell for as little as $65, $80, and $100 for the 2, 4, and 8GB models, respectively -- though not 'round these parts, obviously. On another front, Meizu has let loose some more info on its now infamous miniOne handheld, otherwise known as the M8. According to Meizu CEO J.Wong, the device will be available in two separate versions: an entry-level model without a camera and a standard model with one, each available 4GB and 8GB variations, ranging in price from $195 to $400. It's also apparently been confirmed that the device will indeed come with a 720x480 16-bit 3.32-inch display, although any word on an exact release date remains unclear.Read - Meizu Music Card [Via Engadget Chinese]Read - Meizu Me, miniOne detailsupdate:Meizu Music Card More pics and Meizu minione posts from engadget china.
Meizu CEO: we only kind of knocked off the iPhone
Funny, we rarely, if ever see a company producing Chinese knocks of high profile devices start defending themselves, but it sounds like Meizu wants to (partly) shed the bad light cast on its M8, er, miniOne non-iPhone. According to some posts in their forums by someone who appears to be Meizu's CEO, J.Wong, the original M8 design for a massive-touchscreen cellphone debuted four days before Macworld -- however, the design was still undergoing changes, and when Apple launched their product, so Meizu reworked the aesthetic, added some metal, slimmed it down, and voila, M8 cum miniOne. We recognize that's some serious gray area for Meizu to be treading -- kind of the design equivalent of double-checking your answers with your neighbors' before turning in your test -- but let's face it, a phone like that coming out of China, it would have been pegged an iPhone knock either way. Plus, they were still ahead of the game with that insane 720 x 480 res screen they've apparently spent $1m US ordering in bulk. So take this one for what you will, but we think Meizu's among the first to keep it somewhat real while still managing to keep it real fake.[Via Engadget Chinese, thanks Kevin]
Meizu M8 / miniOne closer to production, litigation
Last we saw Meizu's curiously familiar M8 handheld device, it was looking like it still had a long ways to go before we'd actually see one out in the wild. As these latest tantalizing shots show, however, the device seems to be rapidly winding its way into reality whether Apple likes it or not, also picking up a new name in the process: the miniOne. Although if that one sticks, Meizu could well be facing problems of originality on multiple fronts, as the admittedly-catchy name is already in use by another company and presumably trademarked. C'mon Meizu, we know you're fans of Apple, but this is taking the imitation a little too far. Unfortunately, there's no further word on specs for the device, though you can get a couple more good looks at it after the break.[Via Meizu Me]
Meizu's M8? Apple lawyers, start your engines
We're not sure if the pics above are the result of an engorged, Chinese fanboy fantasy or actual product renderings of Meizu's rumored M8. We wouldn't be surprised either way what with China-based Meizu's history of uh, Apple inspired design. Posted by a senior discussion-forum jockey on the Meizu site, the M8 is now said to measure in at a scant 57x105x11.5-mm and packs both a GSM and Chinese TD-SCDMA 3G radio, a 3.3-inch 720x480 pixel display, Bluetooth, a 3 megapixel camera, and an ARM11 CPU capable of recording video at 30fps at the device's full 720 x 480 resolution. Too good to be true? Perhaps, but if not Meizu than certainly some other nimble Chinese outfit will be unveiling their iPhone clone soon enough and likely well before the iPhone hits Asia sometime in 2008. And as we've seen, even Apple's tenacious legal team can be helpless in the face of shutting down copycats on foreign turf. Picture 'round back after the break.[Via dapreview, thanks Vinn]
This is the Batphone? Dmobo shows its i-Rock M8
We're not confident this phone's meager 96 x 96 OLED display is fitting of Bruce Wayne's dapper image, but that's not stoping Dmobo from showing their Batman-themed i-Rock M8. Targeting a decidedly... uh, different demographic than the Pooh-themed P700, the pebble-shaped (PEBL-shaped?) candybar actually seems to hold its own (if you can get past the crappy display) with a music player, 128MB of internal storage, Bluetooth with A2DP, microSD expansion, and a veritable cornucopia of Batman-themed goodies in memory. Needless to say, we won't be flying to a Chinese territory any time soon just to pick one of these up -- but if Batman's your thing and you happen to be in Hong Kong, we're not about to throw a wet blanket on your fun.[Via iTech News Net, thanks lionsense]
Leica announces update plan for buggy M8 digicams
For Leica enthusiasts and digicam freaks alike, we're sure the day that uber-expensive M8 landed on your doorstep was one of pure elation -- or maybe not so much, depending on your luck. Turns out the nearly $6,000 piece of kit wasn't as refined and ready to shoot as the lofty pricetag may lead you to believe, but Lieca is apparently aiming to please those deep pocketed customers by offering up some quick fixes and a few bonus filters to boot. Folks suffering from "banding issues, mirror / ghosting effects, and IR sensitivity quirks" can register on the company's website by December 6th in order to have Leica contact you to set up a return. Unfortunately, this means your finicky M8 will be out of your palms for a few days (or weeks), but at least it'll come back with a "firmware upgrade" to eliminate the banding / ghosting problems, as well as "a basic kit of two UV / IR filters with diameters of your choice" to counteract the "faulty color rendering." While we aren't sure how long the gurus in Solms will hold your precious M8 captive, we do know the additional filters won't ship until February of next year, and if you're worried about picking up a buggy M8 as of now, Leica has assured us that all units shipping after November 27th will sport the internal upgrades right out of the box. [Thanks, Derek M.]
Leica M8 combines old-world charm with new-world tech
Camera fans worldwide no doubt appreciate Leica's attention to quality and detail when it comes to making high-end film-based rangefinder cameras. This month, the famous German company will introduce its first digital rangefinder camera at the Photokina trade show in Cologne -- the same location where the first Leica M3 was announced in 1954. The Leica M8 doesn't just have a pretty body, nor is it resting on the laurels of its predecessors: it's got a 10.3 megapixel resolution, with a low-noise CCD image sensor that starts at ISO 160 but that can also kick up to ISO 2500. The Leica M8 can take gorgeous shots with an exposure time that drops down to 1/8000 of a second, and to 1/250 of a second with a flash. The cam also has a focal length extension factor of 1.33, which helps to mitigate the problem of "vignetting," or a fall-off in brightness that would occur without the extension factor. Oh, and there's one more thing: did we mention that the M8 works with "virtually all" Leica M series lenses produced since 1954? We don't have any firm information from Leica about what the availability or price of the M8 will be, but estimates on the internets suggest that it will set you back about €4,500 ($5,708) -- and this totally amazing camera will probably be worth every euro cent.Read - Press releaseRead - DPR's hands-on preview
Meizu working on a WinCE-powered MiniPlayer followup?
Chinese DAP manufacturer Meizu has seen quite a lot of interest in its M6 MiniPlayer -- so much so that it recently became available Stateside -- and now word on the street (and by street, we mean overseas internet forums) has the company poised to release an updated version. At this point details are still very sketchy -- all the more so because of the nature of machine translation -- but from what we can tell, the upcoming M8 will sport a 533MHz Samsung ARM processor, 2.6-inch VGA screen (compared to the M6's 2.4-inch QVGA display), and the latest Windows CE OS, but not, unfortunately, memory card support nor a user-replaceable battery. There's also no word yet on what capacities this model will come in, though we've heard rumors that Meizu is trying to break through the 4GB ceiling of the original MiniPlayer. That's all we've got for now, and please bear in mind, the pic you see above is simply one fan's fantasy and probably won't bear much of a resemblance to the final product.[Via Engadget Chinese]
