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Keepin' it real fake, part XCVIII: T-Mobile Shadow gets shadowed
Well, would you look at that. If not for the gaudy packaging, $69.99 price tag and blatant Oasis Media branding, we'd swear the Playr was a T-Mobile Shadow (or HTC's P3300, we guess). Yep, this knockoff does a fairly decent job of mirroring its inspirer, sports 2GB of storage and a miniSD expansion slot, comes with 35 free eMUSIC downloads and includes a built-in media player for good measure. Interestingly, we get the feeling that this thing won't actually send or receive calls, but if you're quick, no one will even notice.[Thanks, Rick]Update: Turns out this thing is actually the MachSpeed Oasis Video Player, and is readily available on Amazon (among other places). Still, it could stand some originality in the design department. [Thanks, Rob!]
Report reminds us: don't get burned by overpriced cables
As if this dead horse hasn't been beaten enough, a Pittsburgh reporter is pleading with the public yet again to turn a cold shoulder to those wildly packaged, generally overpriced cables that catch your eye. As we've seen time and time again, "gold plated" and "speed-rated" cabling essentially produces the same image as sturdily constructed alternatives that ring up at substantially lower prices, and it's no surprise to hear that confused HDTV buyers are still being lured into dropping hundreds on wires that offer up little additional value in return. Another tip put forth by Aaron Saykin is to make sure you're picking the best type of cable for your particular application, and of course, we'd recommend avoiding big box retailers for your cable needs and surfing over to one of the many e-tailers that offer similar items in less fanciful packaging for gobs less money. So whether you're planning to go all out on a new home theater setup, or if you're simply looking to wire up a snazzy new component, just make sure you're not padding someone's pocket in exchange for a fantastically attractive marketing campaign.[Image courtesy of GaffleTopia]
Xbox 360 returned, critical components not included
While we've certainly seen a few items get returned without, shall we say, everything in tact, this example just might take the cake. Details are fairly light, but the long and short of it is that some sly customer managed to return an Xbox 360 and get a full refund, but the most critical components weren't repackaged. Reportedly, the store decided to allow the refund just this once without thoroughly checking the innards, and sure enough, the decision came back to bite 'em. Packed within was a gutted console (stuffed with a used textbook, no less), a bunch of totally random cabling and an official Xbox 360 headset. Needless to say, the store got burned torched, but if the culprit received his / her refund as a credit card charge-back and / or was caught on camera, we've all ideas the retailer will get what it's owed one way or another.[Via Digg]
Friendship Star knocks off iPod nano, then makes it ugly
For intents and purposes, we're thoroughly numb to iPod nano knockoffs at this point, but when some company goes beyond the call of duty to uglify its copycat attempt, we can't help give credit. Friendship Star International Limited, which earns major kudos on name alone, has created the nano-inspired FD-1888P for those adamantly against click wheels (and products of authenticity). The unit features a 1.8-inch color display, integrated speaker, FM tuner, rechargeable Li-ion, support for MP3, MP4, MTV and AMV file formats and a totally bodacious D-pad control scheme. Pricing information is reserved for those willing to buy hundreds at the time, so who knows how long that will remain a mystery.[Via PMPToday]
Yahee PMP delivers the one-dongle salute
There are afterthoughts, and then there's Yahee's YHM-MPE02. For whatever reason, the design crew (to put it kindly) behind the janky YHM-MPE02 felt the need to stuff a two-inch QVGA display, 4GB of internal memory and an FM tuner into the PMP, but providing a simple USB port or some sort of flip-out connector was apparently not in the cards. If you can manage to overlook such a hideous protrusion (regrettably, we cannot), you'll find that the unit supports a bevy of files including WAV, ASF, MP3, WMA, AVI and JPEG, and there's even a TransFlash expansion slot to load up even more media. We'd typically inform you that you'd have to make a few phone calls in order to scrounge up pricing information, but trust us when we tell you that you (and your reputation) are better off just leaving this one alone. Oh, and it's not even worth mentioning how this thing rips the upper portion of Nokia's 5300 XpressMusic -- but yeah, it does.[Via PMPToday]
Meizu's MiniOne M8 GUI showcased further, still devoid of originality
If you had even a sliver of faith left in Meizu that it would change its copycatting ways and turn its heart to creativity, you're probably feeling quite foolish right about now. In a recent posting made to showcase even more interface shots of the MiniOne M8, we got a glimpse at the not at all familiar music interface, more insight on the calling screens and a few more looks (shown after the jump) at how it'll handle messaging. Needless to say, we can just swear we've seen a similar GUI before, but apparently, playing the ignorance card makes it easier to swallow. Oh, and the actual phone now sports a "new edge" with a somewhat grayish motif -- enthralling, we know.
Keepin' it real fake, Part LXXXVI: iPod nano rip-off does double duty as camera
You can tell the Chinese PMP knock-off factories are getting a little bored. They're starting to mutate their typically staid, blatant thefts into something just a little bit more exciting. Enter the UE-Technology UE-M4088, a totally fresh new entry that rips off both the new iPod nano, and a generic digital camera. Of course, it has all your favorite Chinese PMP features, like a 2.4-inch LCD display, FM radio, playback of MPEG-4, ASF, MP3, WMA, WAV and MIDI files, an SD slot, and of course that 1.3-megapixel camera. The player seems to be available now, though no word on price. Finally, you can have it all... just don't let the authorities see you having it all.[Via PMPToday]
The first iPod nano clone rears its fat head
Of course, we all know that the knock-off producers in China never rest, but this new iPod nano clone you're looking at was definitely turned around in an impressively short period of time. Right now we have only this photo -- apparently taken at a Shenzhen factory for use in piquing importer's interest -- to go on, but it certainly isn't any kind of surprise that the copy-cats have already put the dirty deed in motion. Just remember guys, you're taking food off of Steve Jobs' table... which is made of diamond-studded platinum.[Via GenerationMP3, thanks BrianB]
Keepin' it real fake, part LXXV: MA-727 apes Samsung's T9B
There's blatant knockoffs, and then there's blatant knockoffs. As you can probably tell, this is most certainly a case of the latter, as the so-called creators of the MA-727 didn't even bother to take their own photo. Instead, it looks pretty clear that they simply doctored Samsung's own snapshot of the T9B, threw a pink miniSD card down beneath, and called it original. Sure, it can supposedly handle just about every format under the sun and touts a 2.4-inch display, built-in speaker, FM tuner, voice recorder, rechargeable Li-ion, and anywhere between 128MB and 2GB of internal storage, but we wouldn't recommend pulling the trigger on this one unless you've got more money than sense.[Via PMPToday]
PETA supports copyright cruelty
var digg_url = 'http://www.digg.com/gaming_news/PETA_Supports_Copyright_Cruelty'; We're not sure how the folks at PETA came to the decision to rip off Nintendo for a flash game about chicken cruelty, but we can only figure it's a byproduct of the make-your-own-Mario trend at Joystiq, so that means Super Chick Sisters is really Joystiq's fault. Way to go, guys. When it's lawsuit time, we're totally recommending that someone subpoena you.So what is Super Chick Sisters? It's a blatant Mario clone (even down to some sound effects!) that features a pair of chick sisters who step in to save the Peach-like Pam Anderson from the evil KFC monsters when Mario and Luigi come down with a bad case of Wiitis. Nugget and Chickette are even decked out in little hats, just like their plumber counterparts, though their Chicken Kingdom is populated not with Goombas and coins, but other chicks, boiling oil, and 1-up tofu boxes. There are also lots of helpful people with scary messages about the horrors of chicken slaughter who encourage you to speed up and save the chickens. Oh, and that princess, too.Our only real question is this: if you lose, does that make you the enemy, an evil chicken-killer yourself? Chilling. [Via Infendo]
EA reveals completely original idea: sports-based minigames
Tell us if you think this sounds like a good idea for a Wii game: a collection of easy-to-play minigames based on casual sports! EA Playground is EA's attempt to fill the only hole in the Wii's lineup that absolutely doesn't exist. At least it features different sports than Wii Sports: tetherball, RC racing, and dodgeball, that we know of.EA is emphasizing "local multiplayer parties" for this title (by not putting it online, probably) and a "storyline" based on collecting stickers for your sticker book. Also it has graphics, basically. Things appear onscreen. The attractiveness or visual quality of those things are for you to decide. EA Playground will also be appearing on DS, with its own exclusive minigames.[Via Joystiq]
"Marco" pasta is a good match for mushroom sauce, litigation
NeoGAFfer Chittagong found this bag of pasta in a Citymarket in Finland. The package is sending a very clear message, and that message is "It's-a not quite me, Maaaario!" Apparently when Mario and Luigi took off on their Mushroom Kingdom adventure, Mario's less-famous identical brother Marco stuck around and devoted his time to making delicious dried pastas. Either that or some unscrupulous company has shamelessly ripped off Mario's likeness. We'll leave it up to you to determine which is more likely-- that this is the work of an unknown relative of a fictional character or of real-world jerks. Hey, maybe Marco will show up in Good Smash Friends Battle for the Nintenco Wuu!
Roll your own Xbox 360 HDD, save $100
If you're not buying Microsoft's excuses for why their 120GB hard drive costs $179, you don't have to buy the drive either. A mysterious hacker called "TheSpecialist" has released a new version of his program HDDHackr, which now allows you to make your own 120GB drive for the Xbox 360. It's not perfect -- you can only use a Western Digital SATA drive and you need a certain file from an official Microsoft drive. But with some time, effort, and around $80 for the drive, you'll get to keep about $100 of your hard-earned money in your nacho-cheese-stained paws. (With a little more work, you can even install the drive internally.)[Thanks, XanTium]
$25 iPods? Or cheap ripoff?
Spotted online: $25 Pistons-branded 128 MB MP3 player. Looks a little familiar, doesn't it. Kind of shuffle-y, in an "is it or isn't it" kind of way? So is it an iPod? Or is it a ripoff. My guess? "Ripoff." The "supports MP3 & WMA" just screams of cheap imitation to me, plus nowhere in the ad do they mention the word iPod, let alone Shuffle. And did the Shuffle ever have a 128MB model? I'm surprised this one has such official looking support. It comes preloaded with a message from National City Bank and Lindsay Hunter, and sale proceeds will benefit Breast Cancer Prevention.
Not so thankful for CompanyStuff.com [update]
Earlier this year I attended my first Macworld. Naturally, I went on a spending spree, and purchased some snazzy MWSF swag. I was particularly thrilled to find a 'Mac Geek' shirt. And this was no t-shirt! I happened to work at a place requiring ties, so finding a business dress shirt with the embroidered 'Mac Geek' on there was great. That job was also 99.9% PC-based, so this was a double-bonus.Sadly, when I came home the shirt didn't last a month. Not because of quality, although that was questionable at best, with button holes that easily frayed and caused issues when buttoning the darn thing... But my shirt went in the trash because we left a crayon in the wash, and once the dryer hits... well, those of you who know will vouch for the fact that melted wax is pretty impossible to remove from fabric.My logical recourse? I went to the CompanyStuff website and tried to order another one. Fast forward months later, numerous emails later, and one cashed check for $30 later, and I still have no shirt. Yep, they were happy enough to take my money, but never sent the shirt. CompanyStuff never responded to any of our inquiries. Not even an autoreply! So all I'm saying is, when you're shopping this holiday season, beware shady online merchants. No doubt many of you have successfully purchased items from CompanyStuff, but they go on my naughty list this year.UPDATE: This morning in my inbox I received the following "we're gonna make good on this" from CompanyStuff prez Steve Lindland:"Victor, I'm sorry for the hassle you've been going through, as I agree this is not acceptable. I will arrange for the refund of the $30.00 and also for you receiving your T-shirt at no cost in addition to a C.A.R.E. package of other merchandise. In addition, if you attend the 2007 event, please stop by so I can apologize in person and offer you some additional complimentary merchandise from the store. I'm extremely sorry for the lack of communication, as that was certainly never my intent. Best Regards, Steve M. Lindland CompanyStuff.com"I still think it's sad that customers have to go to extraordinary lengths to give a businesses some money. As a business owner myself, I work incredibly hard to make sure anyone trying to buy stuff is not only happy, but happily ecstatic when they receive their gear (we've been known to throw in freebies). Although I didn't order a t-shirt (certainly wouldn't fly at my business-dress workplace), kudos to Steve for making this right.
Overzealous eBayer drops $900 for "Sony PlayStations, 3 of them"
In what's sure to be a frontrunner for the "oh snap" moment of the day (or year), a presumably frustrated, delusional, and impatient individual apparently forgot to read the fine print on his latest eBay win. While it's no secret that PlayStation 3 units have been selling for incredulous prices, snagging one for $900 probably seemed like quite the deal at the time; however, the poor sap failed to realize that he /she just committed almost one thousand dollars to purchasing three original PlayStation consoles. To make matters even worse, no games, controllers, or heartfelt sympathy was to be included, leaving the unsuspecting buyer in quite a bad predicament. No, we don't actually think (at least we hope not) that this fellow / lady went through with their purchase (although it was snatched up at the "Buy it Now" price), but if they did, we've got to look at the bright side -- that free shipping saved him / her a bundle.[Via Digg]
PSP phone becomes a reality, in cheap Chinese knock-off form
Our sister-site, Engadget, has a knack for finding weird PSP knock-offs. They found another one, which makes the oft-rumored PSP phone a reality... sort of. The V191 phone has a 1.3Mpix camera, MP3 music player, and an MP4 video player. Sounds familiar? It also has a gaming feature, which seems to readily allow illegally emulated games to play on the phone. Hmm.This sounds very cool and all, but we can't help but be discouraged by the phone's clear lack of creativity in the design department. The back of the phone features the PSP's unique metallic circle, and it also has the word "FUN" written in the PSP's font. Check out more pictures at Akihabara, where you can how this bootleg phone stole the PSP's D-Pad, and face buttons as well. Even though it's not original, it does seem pretty cool.See also:PSP phone resurfaces in design contest[Via Engadget]
Ridge Racers 2 rips you off
I once wrote about Ridge Racers 2: "Doesn't it seem like there's nothing particularly new or noteworthy about this version?" Unfortunately, my statement was a bit too accurate about the game. According to an IGN preview, it appears that the sequel is barely a sequel at all. The game features the same graphics engine and the same courses as the original launch title. Yes, there's a few new stuff: there's 10 new tracks, and two new gameplay modes. But with longer load times, is this "sequel" really worth the additional $20-30 it'll cost over the original? I'd say no. If Namco's going to rip-off gamers like that, IGN has it completely right:"There's no word on a US release. That may be for the better though."
Nokia takes on Chinese handset fakers
Looks like Nokia was pretty serious about their commitment to fraudulent phones; by our approximation the counterfeit lawsuits aren't due to end any time in the near future. After confiscating thousands of fakes in Scandiland and taking on Suplimet Corp. and getting a couple dudes sentenced to a few years in jail, Nokia's aimed their sights at the holy grail of gadget ripoff artistry: China. They've launched suits against two knockoff firms based out of Shenzhen: Shenzhen Telsda Mobile Communication Industry Development Co. and Song Xun Da Zhong Ke Electronic Shenzhen, both apparently infringing on the design of their so-so deco 7260. Nokia's only seeking about sixty grand in damages, but really for these guys it's about setting a precedent on Chinese soil, where you can be sure they intend to move more (legit) low-end product than you can shake a Peking duck at. Now, why these two supposed culprits weren't spending their time knocking off a slightly more impressive phone --like, say, their oft imitated 8800 -- is kind of beyond us, but hey, we're sure the Chinese market will dictate which cheapo ripoffs ultimately make for the best sellers.
TechFaith's i320, SLVR, and Universal rips
You know, we might have done another TechFaith keepin' it real fake post, but honestly we don't really see the point. Oh sure, TechFaith is totally knocking off these other guys with their phony Q and Hermes and so on, but when they showed off their new fake i320, SLVR, and Universal at CommunicAsia this week, we started to realize not only were these guys moving at lightning speed emulating these phones, they were also improving them. The SLVR rip has an impressive 512MB integrated flash memory; the i320-alike uses Pocket PC -- similar to their Q ripoff, and differing, of course, from both the original devices which are stuck with Smartphone; we'd imagine the faux-Universal won't have a VGA display or some of those other ultra high-end niceties, but damned if they don't have the twist n' swivel display in a form factor smaller than the original. TechFaith Wireless, we think you're about one post away from getting your own category on Engadget Mobile.
