Keepin’ it real fake: the 808 PureView that wasn’t

Posted on 19/09/2012 by Zachary Lutz

Meet the 808 Android: the modern day equivalent of those fake mobile antennas that people would attach to their cars in order to make others think they were a big shot. Yes, this device is an Android 2.3-powered forgery of Nokia's 808 PureView, but instead of 41 megapixels of imaging awesomeness, you'll find a mere 3.2MP setup that occupies the presumably hollow protrusion on the rear. Keeping with the theme of slumming things up, the 808 Android offers a 550MHz CPU, a 3.5-inch HVGA resistive touch display, a stylus for easier input and data connectivity that tops out at EDGE. If you were wondering, yes, it's a dual-SIM phone. All of this -- complete with rip-off Carl Zeiss badging -- can be yours for just $73.50. Be sure to peep the gallery below, where you can almost smell the shame.

Gallery: Keepin' it real fake: the 808 Android

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

Keepin' it real fake: the 808 PureView that wasn't originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 18 Sep 2012 22:57:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink

My Nokia Blog | source

DealExtreme | Email this | Comments

Goophone I5 manages to KIRF the 2012 iPhone weeks in advance

Posted on 30/08/2012 by Jon Fingas

Here's something you still don't see every day: a KIRF that's unveiled before the device it's supposed to copy. Although the 2012 iPhone may not show for weeks, the Android-based Goophone I5 is already doing a remarkable job of aping Apple's rumored style, including that two-tone look that we've all seen before. Just don't get notions that it's the bargain of the century. Where most rumors point to a bigger screen for the real thing, the I5 is making do with a 3.5-inch screen similar to that for Goophone's iPhone 4S imitator, the Y5. Performance isn't likely to jolt the engineers in Cupertino out of their seats, either. Mum's the word on whether or not the I5 will beat its inspiration to the store shelf, but we'd wager that it will cost a lot less.

Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile

Goophone I5 manages to KIRF the 2012 iPhone weeks in advance originally appeared on Engadget on Thu, 30 Aug 2012 08:42:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink

TechCrunch, Nowhereelse.fr (translated) | source

Goophone | Email this | Comments

TangiBot manufactures ethics controversy by replicating open-source Makerbot 3D printer

Posted on 24/08/2012 by Steve Dent

A Kickstarter entry has managed to stir the fairness pot by touting a MakerBot Replicator clone called TangiBot -- legally copied from the original 3D printer's open source plans. The project's creator, Matt Strong, says that the device will offer "the same performance and features at a roughly 33 percent discount" to Makerbot's $1,800 price tag, thanks to Chinese manufacturing. That's inflamed some in the 3D printing fraternity, who take exception to the exact copying of a design without any improvement. The founder is unrepentant, however, saying that "MakerBot's technology is nothing new" and insists his replica product's lower price will open up 3D printing to more hobbyists. TangiBot has addressed a trademark gripe from its doppleganger by removing the MakerBot references from Kickstarter -- but hey, we know a KIRF when we see one.

Continue reading TangiBot manufactures ethics controversy by replicating open-source Makerbot 3D printer

Filed under: Peripherals, Robots

TangiBot manufactures ethics controversy by replicating open-source Makerbot 3D printer originally appeared on Engadget on Fri, 24 Aug 2012 07:01:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | source

Wired, Kickstarter | Email this | Comments

Sennheiser boasts anti-counterfeit efforts, unveils new authentication technologies

Posted on 22/08/2012 by Richard Lai

You know Sennheiser's pissed when it holds a press conference just to talk about its anti-counterfeit efforts. In Guangzhou yesterday, the German audio company brought along two executives to debut its new authentication technologies on its retail packaging: a shiny Tesa PrioSpot authenticity label plus a "fool-proof" online look-up system. For the former, President of Corporate Services Volker Batels claims it's treated as securely as one would with cash money, in the sense that it has many visible and invisible features.

There's also a QR code plus its corresponding label ID printed below the foil, and scanning the former or entering the latter on qr-sennheiser.com returns a virtual copy of the foil label plus a visual description. If what you have matches the label on the screen then hakuna matata. But if the code's been looked up many times already, the website will also give you a warning like in the screenshot after the break -- chances are the label's been duplicated, so potential buyers should always check this before handing the money over.

Marc Vincent, the company's President of Greater China, aims to have this "urgent project" covering most products by the end of this year. "We have been fighting counterfeits for five years with some result, but now we have officially declared war on counterfeiting," Mr. Vincent said in a stern voice. "Manufacturers of counterfeit products are social parasites. They really damage our reputation."

Gallery: Sennheiser boasts anti-counterfeit efforts, unveils new authentication technologies

Continue reading Sennheiser boasts anti-counterfeit efforts, unveils new authentication technologies

Sennheiser boasts anti-counterfeit efforts, unveils new authentication technologies originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 22 Aug 2012 15:09:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | | Email this | Comments

iPad estimated to be cornering nearly 73% of Chinese tablet market

Posted on 08/08/2012 by Jon Fingas

We're used to seeing tablet market share illustrated on the world stage. China, however, has usually been untouched. Analysys International has taken a crack at decoding the market and has bucked a few expectations in the process: according to its estimates, the iPad's lead is even larger in China than it is worldwide. About 72.7 percent of all tablets sold in the country during the second quarter were Apple-flavored, while homegrown hero Lenovo was a distant second at 8.4 percent. Everyone else had to contend with less than four percent and reflected the more diverse Chinese technology sphere -- relative heavyweights like Acer, ASUS and Samsung had to hob-nob with brands that have little recognition elsewhere, such as Eben and Teclast.

The researchers credit Apple's lead, a 7.8-point gain, to a combination of the new iPad and a price-cut iPad 2. We'd add that Analysys' figures might not tell the whole story, though: China is well-known for its thriving shanzhai market, where legions of KIRFs and very small (usually Android-based) brands likely slip under an analyst group's radar. That said, it's still an illustration of how Apple's influence in tablets is a distinct reversal of its much smaller smartphone share, even in a nation that's a hotbed of Android activity.

Filed under: Tablet PCs

iPad estimated to be cornering nearly 73% of Chinese tablet market originally appeared on Engadget on Wed, 08 Aug 2012 17:08:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink

AppleInsider |

Digitimes | Email this | Comments

Droid X360 goes for the KIRF prize, antagonizes Microsoft, Motorola and Sony at the same time (video)

Posted on 24/07/2012 by Jon Fingas

Can we establish a KIRF award for Most Likely to Invite Multiple Lawsuits? If so, Long Xun Software would have to claim the statuette for its Droid X360, at least if it dared set foot in the US. This prime example of keepin' it real fake is even more of a PS Vita clone than the Yinlips YDPG18, but goes the extra mile with a name that's likely to irk Microsoft, Motorola, Verizon and George Lucas all at once. That's even discounting the preloaded emulators for just about every pre-1999 Nintendo, Sega and Sony console. Inside, you'll at least find a device that's reasonably up to snuff: the 5-inch handheld is running Android 4.0 on a 1.5GHz single-core Quanzhi A10 processor, 512MB of RAM, 8GB of built-in space, a 2-megapixel camera at the back and a VGA shooter at the front. If the almost gleeful amount of copyright and trademark violation isn't keeping you from wanting this award-winner, you'll have to ask Long Xun for pricing and availability.

Continue reading Droid X360 goes for the KIRF prize, antagonizes Microsoft, Motorola and Sony at the same time (video)

Filed under: Gaming, Handhelds

Droid X360 goes for the KIRF prize, antagonizes Microsoft, Motorola and Sony at the same time (video) originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 24 Jul 2012 15:44:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink

MIC Gadget, Talk Android | source

Shanzhaiben | Email this | Comments

KIRF Galaxy S III: designed for cheapskates, inspired by Samsung

Posted on 10/07/2012 by Mat Smith

Depending on your location (or carrier of choice) Samsung's Galaxy S III is now ready to take your money. If your assets aren't liquid enough to afford Samsung's flagship on contract, you might be at least tempted by the fakery of the HDC Galaxy S3. The familiar-looking slab packs a 4.7-inch TFT screen, alongside a humble 1GHz processor, 512MB of RAM and a 5-megapixel camera. According to GizmoChina, the phone will set shady cash registers ringing at around $200 -- a snip compared to the off-contract price of the official iteration. Take a tour of the hardware (and some Nature UX-baiting software) in the quick hands-on after the break.

Continue reading KIRF Galaxy S III: designed for cheapskates, inspired by Samsung

Filed under: Cellphones

KIRF Galaxy S III: designed for cheapskates, inspired by Samsung originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 10 Jul 2012 09:18:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | source

GizmoChina | Email this | Comments

Ask Engadget: Are KIRFs worth it?

Posted on 01/07/2012 by Daniel Cooper

We know you've got questions, and if you're brave enough to ask the world for answers, here's the outlet to do so. This week's Ask Engadget inquiry is from Sabin, who wants a high-spec smartphone and is prepared to venture to the dark side to get it. If you're looking to send in an inquiry of your own, drop us a line at ask [at] engadget [dawt] com.

"I know, I know. I sound like an idiot, but I'd like a full-featured smartphone without the hefty cost. I'm looking for an unlocked phone and came across some of the China Global iPhone KIRFs that run Android. I'm no slouch in loading ROMs, building jtags, etc., but I'd like to know if the hardware is solid, because I can make the software work if that's the case."

Putting aside the various ethical and legal quandaries for the moment, it's a very good question. Are KIRFs usable smartphones for those who know their way around tech? Does the hardware work to such a standard that you can expect useful performance and bluff your way through a crowd of those paying full price? Share your experiences with the group -- we're sure you'll feel better afterward.

Ask Engadget: Are KIRFs worth it? originally appeared on Engadget on Sat, 30 Jun 2012 22:31:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | | Email this | Comments

Keepin’ it real fake: four SIMs, two memory card slots, one identity crisis

Posted on 19/06/2012 by Donald Melanson

It takes quite a bit for a KIRF smartphone to turn our heads these days, but this specimen spotted by one of our readers in an Indian newspaper checked off just enough boxes to get us to take notice. As you can see, the company behind it has merged a fairly faithful iOS knock-off operating system with a device reminiscent of something from Samsung's Galaxy line, but it didn't stop there. You'll also get no less than four SIM card slots and two memory card slots, not to mention an antenna to pull down some free over-the-air TV channels. Specs otherwise remain a bit of a mystery, but those curious enough to find out more can take one home for just over $60.

[Thanks, Mahesh]

Keepin' it real fake: four SIMs, two memory card slots, one identity crisis originally appeared on Engadget on Tue, 19 Jun 2012 16:04:00 EDT. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | | Email this | Comments

THD N2-A is a KIRF MacBook Air that runs Ice Cream Sandwich for $149, we go hands-on (video)

Posted on 07/06/2012 by Zach Honig

It wouldn't be Computex without some KIRF Apple products. And what we have today isn't quite a MacBook Air. But it's amazingly close. The N2-A, as it's known in the OEM underground, is one of the most impressive MacBook Air lookalikes we've seen -- and one of the cheapest. $74,500 will net you 500 of these lovely 13.3-inch bundles of almost-Mac goodness, which comes out to just $149 apiece. The THD (Thread Technology Co.)-made clamshell comes complete with an LED-backlit 1366 x 768 LCD, 1.2 GHz ARM Cortex A8 processor, 1 gig of DDR3 RAM and 8 gigs of SSD storage. There's also built-in 802.11b/g/n WiFi (we're a bit devastated about the lack of 802.11ac), and the option to add a 3G dongle or Ethernet adapter via the pair of USB 2.0 ports. As you may have gathered from the image, there's a full-size QWERTY keyboard and a familiar, yet incredibly mediocre trackpad, along with a 2-cell 4200 mAh battery (rated to 8 hours), an SD card slot, a not-so-MagSafe 110-240-volt AC adapter, a headphone out, mic in and an HDMI port.

In typical MacBook Air fashion, the N2-A is very thin and quite light (1.55 kilograms or 3.4 pounds) -- it's not as svelte as a top-of-the-line ICS tablet, but it's manageable for sure. While it may look perfectly fine on camera, the device's build quality certainly isn't up to Apple's standards -- but then again, it doesn't cost $1,000+. After a few busy trade show days, the trackpad was noticeably scratched up, with plenty of other blemishes around the silver case to boot, along with some warping here and there. The N2-A wasn't hideous by any stretch, even upon close inspection, but any Apple newbie would be able to recognize that this didn't come out of Cupertino, even before noticing the missing Apple logo and the added Windows key (it's there to support the nearly identical N2-C, which adds a dual-core Atom processor and Windows 7 support).

ICS felt quite snappy, though without a touchscreen you're forced to use the unimpressive trackpad, which wasn't responsive enough for regular use. (You can always sacrifice portability and use a USB mouse instead.) Overall, the N2-A is a pretty slick device -- not to mention quite a bit of fun. Don't expect to see this KIRF in any stores in the US -- you'll need to order 500 units or more directly from THD to take advantage of that $149 price tag, though we may see the Android laptop make its way to the public through third-party channels, perhaps with a retail price of about $200. For now, you can take a closer look in our meaty gallery below, or in the hands-on video after the break.

Gallery: THD N2-A KIRF MacBook Air running ICS hands-on