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Keepin' it real fake, part CCLIX: X-Slim X340 KIRFed, MacBook Air empathizes
The secret to a great KIRF is that it represents not just a knock-off but an homage to a beloved product (at least, that's what we tell ourselves when we sit in our workshop, trying to build the first ever shanzhai Grippity). Recently spotted in the stalls of Shenzhen, the above device is reminiscent of the MacBook Air, yes, but more tellingly, the MSI X-Slim X340. This 13-inch (1366 x 768) bad boy features a 1.2GHz Intel ULV processor, 1GB of RAM, up to 250GB of HDD, WiFi and Bluetooth, an SD card slot, three (count 'em!) USB ports, and HDMI out. You can expect to spend about $350 if you ever manage to track 'er down -- or you can just say the hell with it and go back to reading Garfield Minus Garfield. Either way, we support you. Get a closer look after the break.
Keepin' it real fake, part CCLVIII: shanzhai PSP Phone dampens our excitement for an actual PSP Phone
When one thinks of a PSP Phone, they usually imagine a handset with a number of cool, gamer-centric features, such as some sort of integration with the PlayStation network or -- imagine! -- the ability to actually play PSP games. What they don't imagine -- correct us if we're wrong -- is some sort of KIRFy cellphone shoved inside what is essentially the shell of a PSP. That said, we do have to give our friends in Shenzhen some props: not only have they beat Sony with this knock-off, but with the way things are going, they might have the PSP Phone market all to themselves in perpetuity. No specifics on this one yet -- price, stats, or street date -- but you probably weren't going to buy one anyways. Get a closer look 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.
Keepin' it real fake, part CCXL: HTC Hero gets iPhone flair
It's just like the old riddle: what looks like a Hero, thinks it's an iPhone, and does double-duty as an old-school FM handheld? Why, it's the TVG3 -- and when combined with some prototypical shanzhai flair, its (con)fusion of attributes from all over the cellphone space make this one a stunning exemplar of KIRFness. Behold! 3.2-inch touchscreen, G-sensor (aka gyroscope), dual sims, Bluetooth, WiFi, built-in TV tuner, HTC looks and an almost-iPhone UI: not bad for $130, eh? In case you won't be in Shenzhen any time soon, you can get a closer look after the break. [Thanks, Jules H]
Blinged out Michael Jackson phone is fashionably late
Michael Jackson may never take the stage again, but that doesn't mean you can't commemorate him in your pocket, right? This special, "limited edition" mobile phone appears to have been dipped in gold and diamonds, and, if we're not mistaken... it's basically a Vertu KIRF that's dressed like a headless MJ? We're pretty light on specs and pricing information here, but rest assured that unless you live in China, you'll probably never be able to get your be-gloved hand on one of these. Nothing like cashing in on the dead. [Via Shanzhai]
Keepin' it real fake, part CCXXXIX: Genuine Android shipping on a counterfeit Storm
Looks like someone in Shenzhen had time to kill overnight at the Storm factory -- and they've put it to good use. Instead of giving us a faux-BlackBerry with a horribly mangled KIRFed-out UI (or at most WinMo) what we have here is a genuine clone with a trackball thrown in for good measure running honest-to-goodness Android 1.5. Dubbed the Broncho A1, this guy features a 600MHz CPU, 3.2-inch capacitive touchscreen, 3.2 megapixel camera, WiFi, GPS, and an FM radio. That's the good news. The bad? 128MB RAM isn't going to do much for you, app-wise. Oh, well. Price and ship date to be announced at a later date. Get a closer look in the gallery below.%Gallery-75447%[Via Cloned In China]
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.
Keepin' it real fake, part CCXXXVII: PXP-2000 aspires to little more than playing NES games, a host of video formats
If we were tickled by how quickly the PSP Go was hacked, we must say that we're surprised at how long it took for this bad boy to get KIRFed. And as most shanzai manufacturers do, they packed as many features into this portable as they could: 4.3-inch display (compared to the PSP Go's 3.8-incher), all kinds of retro gaming support (including NES/Famicom, Gameboy / Gameboy Color, SNES, SFC), a camera of some sort, FM radio, microSD card slot (the device's only form of storage), TV out, and generous video codes: RM, RMVB, AVI, WMV, ASF, MPG, MPEG, MPE, MP4, DAT, and MOV. Not exactly "aspirational" at $84, but we'll take it nonetheless. %Gallery-74802% [Via PMP Today]
Keepin' it real fake, part CCXXXV: TigerG3 looks like a Hero, doesn't act like one
If we weren't too terribly impressed when the HTC Hero made the leap from Europe to the States, at least our funny bones are tickled by the device's inauguration into full-blown KIRFhood. Reports differ on the OS of the thing, but the features are 100% iPhone knock-off, including: dual SIM support, 1.3 megapixel camera, analog TV, FM radio, WiFi, and support for a host of audio and video formats. It's too bad this thing is only supports overseas (900MHz / 1800MHz) GSM -- for $140 we might be tempted to play. If you're in Oceania and looking for a new phone, hit the read link to see for yourself. [Via Shanzai.com]
Keepin' it real fake, part CCXXXIII: MacBook Air loses two inches, adds a Windows key
If we've learned one thing 'round here, it's that the KIRFsters love taking on Apple. And you know, at first glance this KIRFacious take on the MacBook Air doesn't seem half bad. Of course, check it out in profile and it looks a lot more like your average netbook than it does Cupertino's ultraportable -- but at least the shanzai manufacturer in question as thrown in a few things that were neglected in the original, including: two USB ports, a removable battery, and a PCIe slot for a 3G module. That said, they also went with an 11.1-inch display (as opposed to the Air's 13-incher), which could be a good thing or not, depending on your POV. Of course, with a 1.6GH Atom processor and 1GB RAM, this thing isn't exactly a workhorse, though it's safe to assume that the price point will fall far below that of the "real deal." But don't take our word for it -- check out a couple more views of the thing after the break.
Keepin' it real fake, part CCXXVII: Rolex watchphone is, in fact, neither
The Rolex watchphone is neither a Rolex nor a watchphone -- unless your definition includes handsets with a watch face embedded on the outside (and ours doesn't). But either way, it's probably safe to say that this bad boy does not sport a precision-made Swiss timepiece. Features include a 2.6-inch display, dual SIM, an FM radio, and presumably some sort of camera. Unlike the Swiss Rolex, the Shanzhai Rolex can be yours for the low, low price of 690 yuan (that's about $101). More mouth-watering KIRFness after the break.[Via Cloned In China]
Keepin' it real fake, part CCXXV: Fashion A10 netbook strikes a pose, Acer-style
Sadly, plenty of folks just can't seem to shake the notion that "netbooks" and "high fashion" go hand in hand -- and clearly the KIRFmeisters of Shenzhen and environs are no exception. As if that couldn't be any clearer, the kids at Shanzai.com have clued us in on the JingWah Digital Fashion A10, a note-by-note replica of the Aspire One. Aside from the 1.6GHz VIA C7-M CPU, the similarities are striking, including: an 8.9-inch TFT display with a 1024 x 600 resolution, 160GB hard drive, and 1GB of RAM. Sure, it's no powerhouse, but if the price is right it'll make a pretty decent accessory. In fact, throw on your Momenta necklace and slap on a pair of 4GB Calvin Kleins and you'll be able to strut past any velvet rope your encounter (provided the line at the door leads to a LAN party or the BiMonSciFiCon). Theme music after the break.[Via Shanzai.com]
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]