Gizmodo: Chinese

Fake Chinese iPhone is Pretty Good Photocopy of the Real Deal

Kit Eaton — Thu, 03 Jul 2008 03:56:00 EDT

A forum poster over at Macrumors has posted photos of a fake iPhone that's close enough to the real hardware that you might believe it at first glance. Its proportions are off, the screen's not wide-sized and there's a mini-USB connector instead of an iPod dock one, but even the packaging is mocked-up to look Appleish. The UI is glossed-up to look very real, with some differences of course. And sure, you can imagine it would be not so sweet to operate... but you can't argue with the look of the thing. Steve's famous "start your photocopiers" call has gone a lot further than Redmond. Wonder how soon we'll see photocopy iPhone 3Gs? [Macrumors]

Chinese Farmer Flies Self-Built Airplane, Doesn't Wet Pants

Jason Chen — Thu, 26 Jun 2008 15:20:00 EDT

Seeing as we crapped ourselves twice from just watching this clip, it's a wonder that this Chinese farmer manages to keep it together while flying this death-trap through the skies. The camera only points rearwards at the guy's crotch, but that's probably to show what gigantic balls this guy must have. The guy built this thing out of what looks like dirt and spare parts from broken aircraft, which is pretty much something we wouldn't want to be riding up 300 feet in the air. This reminds us of Mr. Woo, the Chinese Robot Farmer, who built working robots out of stuff he's found at the junk heap. [YouTube via MAKE]

iPhone 2.0 Firmware Will Have Handwriting Recognition, Go to Japan and China?

Jason Chen — Mon, 05 May 2008 12:46:28 EDT

A blog on the Wretch.cc network (kinda like a Chinese blogspot) has screens from the Chinese version of iPhone's 2.0 firmware, detailing the new handwriting recognition. If it's real, which it seems to be, the new firmware will let people draw in characters with their fingers, then pick the closest approximation among choices that pop up.

For the Chinese version, you've got the choice of either handwriting or using Pinyin, which is like spelling out the word you want and choosing the correct character. Would Apple add all this Chinese and Japanese support if the iPhone wasn't coming to China and Japan officially? No, probably not. [Wretch via Macrumors]

Chinese Car Maker Invents Keyless Entry Watch

Jason Chen — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 14:30:00 EDT

The problem with Chinese made cars in the year 2008 is that they're complete shit. It's true. Maybe in a few years they'll catch up to the Koreans, the Japanese, the Americans and the Germans, but for now they'll have to be satisfied with unlocking their cars with their watches. Who wouldn't?

I'd definitely enjoy carrying around a watch and no keys, until the time I realized that I need my house keys too, which means I'm still carrying around some keys and this whole invention is only cool to show off to your friends from out of town who haven't seen this on the internet. That'll be the only thing to shield you from the derisive comments about you driving a Chinese car in the year 2008. [The Tycho via Jalopnik]

Microsoft's Limited Edition Xbox 360 For Chinese New Year - Because Nothing Says Chinese New Year Like Halo 3

Jason Chen — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 15:45:45 EST

We're not sure how well the Xbox 360 is doing in China, but Microsoft's cashing in on this whole Chinese New Year business by throwing out a limited edition Chinese New Year Xbox. The box is colored red, which Chinese people like, but includes Halo 3, which doesn't make a whole lot of sense to us. If we were designing a game to include with this box, we'd do something like Viva Pinata, which is kinda festive, or Boom Boom Rocket, which has a whole lot of fireworks. Killing aliens may be fun, but it doesn't scream welcome to the Year of the Rat. [CNET Asia]

Gizmodo Salutes the Rat: Happy Chinese New Year!

Haroon Malik — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 12:30:08 EST

Not only are we smart, charming and pretty here at Gizmodo, we are also fantastically cultured. As the Chinese New Year is upon us, we would like to take this opportunity to wish all those celebrating it a smashing new year. As ~~a Chinese restaurant placemat~~ our research informs us, the Chinese calendar cycles every twelve years, with each year representing a different animal. Tonight rings in the Year of the Rat, and in tribute to our respected rodent, we've got a special rattus gadget roundup. Jump in for that priceless, Indiana-Jones-in-the-sewer feeling.

Rat Prankster: Remote Control RatA wireless remote control and a giant rat that responds to it will surely get you dumped, but hell, it's worth the laughs. Plus, she was way out of your league in the first place; she's bound to leave you at some point, it may as well be down to a $14.99 giant pest-joke. Verdict: At least the rat has a sense of humor. [Gagworks]

Rat Enemy: Rentokil Wireless Rat Trap SensorsWe heard about these Rentokil Pestconnect rat traps way back in 2005, but they are still the enemy! The rodent destroyers set traps all across your infested pad, once a successful catch is made an alert text message is sent to a designated mobile phone (email option also available). That can mean only one thing for our furry lil' buddy... Verdict: The rat perishes—oh noes! [Rentokil Pestconnect]

Rat Hybrid: Rat Heart Powered RobotsIt was only a few weeks ago when scientists in Korea managed to complete work on a crab-style microbot, which was smaller than the thickness of a fingernail. What was so special about this bot? It was powered by cardiac tissue from a rat. The researchers from Chonnam National University were able to articulate the robot's motion using contractions from the affixed cardiac muscle. The itsy-bitsy robot moved through a solution at a steady 100 micrometers per second, and it is hoped the project will give rise to faster, site-directed, clot-targeting microbots for the arteries of red-meat eaters. Verdict: The rat's got heart. [Discover]

Rat Royalty:iRiver MplayerThe Year of the Rat is also slightly less well known as the Year of the Mouse. As in Mickey. Since it's got a Disney partnership (at least in Asia), iRiver is commemorating this particular Chinese New Year with a gold-plated Mplayer. You'll only be able to grab one of these in China, so if a shiny Mickey MP3 player is all you have ever wanted, get importing or get a plane ticket. Verdict: The rat blings. [iRiver Mplayer]

Rat Rocks: Rat SpeakersThe USB Rat Speakers have a built-in amplifier, 6W total power output, volume control with blue LED indicator and retail for a rat-tastic $26.99. Sure, these speakers may sound mousy (ha!) but can you afford not to have their blue hue adding spirit to your cluttered desktop? Probably, but let's stay in the spirit of things, m'kay? Verdict: The rat's got soul. [Kleargear]

Traditionally, the rat is seen as a lucky character in Chinese culture, so we very much hope we have not come across as jackasses (any more than usual). We just wanted to find a Gizmodo way to say Gong Hei Fat Choy to y'all! And that's a rat, folks. (Sorry.)

New Apple Speakers (Not What You Think)

Eric Sheline — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 18:05:48 EST

There has been more than enough Apple coverage recently, so here is some "Apple" coverage. These new Chinese "Apple" USB speakers won't ever replace the ill-fated iPod Hi-Fi, but they could possibly be useful as a travel accessory for that ultralight laptop of yours. [Product via 7gadgets]

New Chinese iPhone Knockoff Even More Brazen Than Meizu

Jason Chen — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 16:50:11 EST

Although Meizu has been stealing from the iPhone left and right, at least they have the courtesy to deny it. This other iPhone clone, however, makes no such attempt—they even plaster "Think Different" all over their ads. Check out the video after the jump, taken by geekmatica, to see what kind of tech you're getting for 1990RMB ($270), which includes the ability to shake the phone to answer it.

[Geekmatica]

HTC Touch Clone Has GPS, But Still Runs Windows Mobile

Jason Chen — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 19:00:02 EST

If we were a Chinese company that made knockoff phones, we probably wouldn't make a knockoff of the HTC Touch. Not that the phone is bad—it's somewhat usable—but putting Windows Mobile 5 on any phone when WM6 is the standard now is kind of a bad idea. However, we would follow in their footsteps and beef up hardware features to include a GPS, a 2-megapixel camera and fingerprint security. We just wouldn't put Windows Mobile 5 on it. [EC51 via Uber Gizmo]

Magic-Performing 1920s Chinese Automaton

Jason Chen — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 15:30:55 EDT

It's not quite Asimo, but this Chinese magician automaton (read: crappy wooden robot) does one thing and one thing only: make other wooden automatons appear and disappear from containers (we don't count sporting a badass mustache as a thing). It's going to be auctioned off on October 28 at Skinner in Bolton, MA, if any of you are interested. Illusions, Michael. [Boing Boing]

A1Pro Keyboard Has Handwriting Pad With Character Recognition

Jason Chen — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 14:00:10 EDT

This A1Pro keyboard isn't that useful for us, who can type just fine with the standard QWERTY keys, but is incredibly useful for, say, Chinese people who want to write characters the way they're used to writing on paper (typing takes a lot longer to learn). The keyboard looks normal on the left, but instead of a numpad, it has a smallish glowing tablet. If we ever wanted to write in Chinese—which we haven't done in about 14 years—we'd pick up one of these for $25.48. [Dealextreme via Crave via Gearfuse]

Wal-Mart Not Carrying $199 HD DVD Player This Christmas

Jason Chen — Wed, 19 Sep 2007 13:00:05 EDT

Wal-Mart's just made a statement claiming that they have no plans to carry the Venturer $199 HD DVD in stores this holiday season. This is probably the first time Wal-Mart's turned down a cheap, Chinese- made solution in preference to name brands like Toshiba, but they do still offer Venturer DVD players on walmart.com. We still believe that the sub-$200 Venturer will be the tipping point that gets HD DVD into many homes this Christmas, as long as they can deploy the stock in time for people to actually find them in stores. [Video Business]

Chinese Build Piano, Violin Shaped Buildings to Stereotypical Chinese Kids' Horror

Jason Chen — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 16:30:33 EDT

There's not much detail on why this Huainan building was built in the shape of a violin and a piano, but our guess is it's to shame every little Chinese kid into taking up the two stereotypical instruments they play: the piano and the violin. Of course, their instruments aren't made of glass and aren't 100 feet tall, but these weigh just as much as the real ones do on those little kids' souls. We can still taste the tears. [Ce via Spluch]

Nokia's Chinese Mooncakes

Jason Chen — Fri, 14 Sep 2007 13:17:57 EDT

In celebration of the Chinese mid-Autumn Festival (or Moon Festival), Nokia's sanctioned moon cakes in the shape of their phones. Not only are these low-end Nokias delicious, they probably have much longer battery life, better sunlight visibility and honestly, a bigger feature set as well. If you know where to buy these, let us know! [Sosol via Spluch]

Mr. Woo, the Chinese Robot Farmer

Jason Chen — Wed, 08 Aug 2007 17:20:45 EDT

How can a man with no formal robotic education create funny and awesome robots out of electronic parts he finds in the junk heap? Mr. Woo found a way, and created so many robots his wife has threatened to leave him (partially because he burned the house down in doing so). Among the more impressive ones are an actual working rickshaw robot that takes him and the wife to town (no idea how it's powered), along with a junior rickshaw robot that takes the kid to town as well. [Boing Boing]

Third Party iPhone Docks Have Bluetooth Charging

Jason Chen — Fri, 22 Jun 2007 15:00:52 EDT

We're not sure what the big deal is on this cheapo Chinese iPhone dock having a slot for the iPhone's Bluetooth headset. The official one has this as well (no, not THE official one, the other official one that hasn't been announced. We think.), which we saw firsthand in a leak to us back in February.

And the illustration on the manufacturer's site? Priceless. Looks like they just took a lousy picture of the iPhone dock from MacWorld and Photoshopped the Bluetooth headset onto it. Keepin' it classy! – Jason Chen

Product Page [4ustuff via Pocket Lint]

Chinese Mousepad Does It All...Badly

Jason Chen — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 16:00:45 EDT

I have an old lousy mousepad made in China that has a lousy calculator on it that I thought was pretty ridiculous. I was wrong. This; this here is ridiculous. No, it's ricockulous.

Not only does this mousepad have a calculator, it has a thermometer, a wrist rest, it's a USB Hub, and it's even got card readers for your picture-transferring convenience. As if that weren't enough, the product page also claims that it's good for "outgoing or traveling use." Isn't that obvious? Who doesn't take their USB-connected mousepads to the outdoors? – Jason Chen

Product Page [Sunday CN via Red Ferret via Sci Fi]

Amigo's Wireless Router Looks Exactly Like an Xbox 360

Jason Chen — Fri, 08 Jun 2007 14:50:42 EDT

There's similar designs, and then there's Amigo's Wireless Router. The R622AG looks exactly like Microsoft's Xbox 360 no matter how you look at it. However, if you're really a fan of the design, then the fact that Aimgo's shoved in 802.11 a/b/g, four Ethernet ports and two USB ports for external hard drives/webcams/printers won't bother you one bit.

Plus, there's even music streaming to USB speakers, and Samba/FTP for file access of your attached USB drives. If they can manage to put this out for under $50 and add 802.11n support, we're sold. – Jason Chen

Xbox 360 entirely wireless LAN Luther and the USB server [Impress]

The iPhone Gets Cloned Again

Jason Chen — Sat, 26 May 2007 11:55:43 EDT

Remember that Michael Keaton movie where he clones himself, but every time he makes a new one the clones get dumber and dumber? Well, these iPhone clones are kind of like that. The newest Chinese duplicate of Apple's prize phone is called the P168. Incidentally, in case you're wondering why it's called 168, the numbers 168 sounds phonetically similar to a "get rich" phrase when you pronounce in Chinese, kind of like how high school broads say "h8" in all their text messages to Travis.

It has six speakers for "surround sound," 3.5-inch touchscreen, face keys, 1.3-megapixel camera (even though it SAYS 2.0-megapixels on the back), microSD slot, and various other things that aren't nearly even as good as the Meizu Mini One—which our commenters have dubbed the Jeezus! phone. – Jason Chen

iPhone? [Phone Daily via New Launches via Uber Phones]

Electronic Roll-up Go Board

Jason Chen — Mon, 21 May 2007 14:40:52 EDT

Go may not be very popular here in the US, but that didn't stop me from actually taking a few lessons when I was a kid (ladies, quit knocking down my door). Plus, it didn't stop this guy from designing an electronic roll-up Go board.

Shaped like a roll of parchment when contracted, the Go board rolls out to show the black and white pieces with what looks like e-ink. That's a fantastic idea, which could be extended to chess, checkers or Chinese checkers—since when I play somebody usually gets angry and knocks the pieces off the board when they lose. And by somebody, I mean me. – Jason Chen

Electronic Go (Chinese Chess) Board [Yanko Design]

Chinese Amycoll PS3 Cannot Possibly Plagiarize Any More

Jason Chen — Mon, 21 May 2007 13:20:36 EDT

There's two types of "homage" that we usually see from Chinese vendors. First, the Meizu type, who grab the look and feel and some functionality from other products but make them into something pretty respectable. Then, there's the Amycoll PS3.

First, there's the obvious "Amycoll" instead of Samsung's Anycall. Then there's the even more obvious "PS3." They didn't even try with that one. Add to that the PSP-like buttons on the top, which can be used in landscape mode with the D-pad on the left for gaming. Oh, there's more.

Once you start the thing up you see it's "running" Windows Mobile with Direct Push, except it's not. You wouldn't know that from the startup theme and sound effects though.

If you pop open the battery cover, you'll see that it's "Made in Koera," which truly cements the fact that Korean manufacturers like Samsung and LG have made it into the big leagues—who would have thought that only 15 or 20 years ago?

And speaking of software, there's a Bejewelled clone, plus Gameboy and Nintendo emulators. We suppose there's a Super Nintendo emulator in there too, but we're not entirely sure.

In any case, the Amycoll PS3 is a classy addition to anyone's phone library. And by classy, we think you know what we mean. – Jason Chen

Amycoll PS3 [Phonedaily via Newlaunches]

Wii Gets a Cooling Fan

Jason Chen — Mon, 07 May 2007 19:40:16 EDT

With the PlayStation 3 and the Xbox 360 both having third party cooling systems, Nintendo's Wii was feeling a bit left out. After all, didn't it get hot as well? Fear not, Wiis, as a no-name Chinese company has released an add-on cooler for you, too.

The cooler is powered by the Wii's USB ports, which means there's no AC adapter and it will run "without noise." Best of all (if there is a best of all), there's a pass-through USB port so you won't have to lose one of your precious ports that you could use for charging up your Wiimotes. We gotta hand it to them for the product shot as well. The blood red is a nice touch. They even went to the trouble of Photoshopping it onto the red. Lucky? We're lucky if our eyes don't explode. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Firstsing via Crunchgear]

Chinese Take Out Container Containers

Jason Chen — Sat, 28 Apr 2007 16:00:24 EDT

It must be take out week this week, and if you didn't get enough of take out goodness with the Take Out Container lamps, these Take Out Container Containers should satisfy you in the moo goo gai pan. These are ceramic containers that you can actually use to hold stuff. Be it flowers, actual other take out containers, or soy sauce packets, these containers will, er, hold them.

Despite being slightly less classy than the take out lamps, these containers are still neat and really accentuate the fact that you eat Chinese take out way too much. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Wrapables via Cooking Gadgts]

Chinese Take Out Lamps Bring Class to Your Lonely Nights

Jason Chen — Mon, 23 Apr 2007 20:00:51 EDT

If you're used to having your one-bedroom apartment littered with Chinese takeout boxes, then these Take Out Container Lamps should bring a bit of kitsch. They're available in broccoli green, eggplant purple, hot and spicy chicken red, vomit yellow, and cost only $14.95 each.

We're always fans of stuff shaped like other stuff, so these lamps are something we could see buying as a nice housewarming gift. – Jason Chen

Product Page [Baronbob via Nerd Approved]

Chinese Mouse Tablet Looks Like the X-Men's Launchpad

Jason Chen — Fri, 23 Mar 2007 12:06:23 EDT

Remember the basketball court that opens up and lets out the X-Jet in X-Men? That's exactly what this mouse looks like—except instead of a jet, a dragon comes out. It's too bad this dragon doesn't fly or shoot eye beams or throw exploding cards (we suppose it does have claws). It just acts as a tablet for users to scribble Chinese characters or other handwriting on. Plus, there's a stylus hidden there behind the left mouse button so you won't have to ask your butler to fetch one for you.

Five colors are available, but if you're going to do writing more than once or twice a day we'd recommend spending the money on a real tablet instead of a half-half. – Jason Chen

Enet [via Everything USB]

PQI Chinese New Year Inspired Credit Card Drive

Jason Chen — Wed, 31 Jan 2007 17:44:35 EST

Good news pigs! PQI is releasing a limited edition Fortune Pig Edition flash card drive. It's a 2GB flash drive in the shape of a credit card adorned with dragony-ish Chinese-y designs on the front to make you believe that storing your Firefox bookmarks is some kind of ancient Chinese secret.

They're only making 500 units of the 2GB model and 1000 units of the 1GB model, so if you're a pig (2007 is the year of the pig), then you may want one for yourself. – Jason Chen

PQI Limited Fortune Pig Edition Card Drive U510 [Far East Gizmos]

The Chinese Make Their Own iPhone: ZTC 321

Jason Chen — Mon, 11 Dec 2006 15:00:00 EST

Continuing the Chinese tradition of mashing random numbers and letters into a product name, some Chinese company has made their own iPhone-esque phone called the ZTC 321. It has a 1.3 megapixel camera, MP3 playback, silver/metallic iPod-like backing, and a fake looking click-wheel.

Despite being definitely not the new iPhone or even an early prototype of the iPhone, this ZTC 321 doesn't look half bad if you close one eye and squint the other. Oh who are we kidding, this thing looks like a turd. – Jason Chen

Is the ZTC 321 the iPhone? [MyiPhone]

WTF Alert: Chinese BenQ MusiQ Dog Tag Player Site Has Guy Posing In Front of WTC Ruins

Jason Chen — Fri, 01 Dec 2006 15:00:21 EST

These BenQ MusiQ Dog Tag MP3 players may be quite stylish, but wtf is up with their Chinese site? The splash page features some one gloved Michael Jackson guy standing in front of what looks like the WTC ruins. Yeah? Seemed like a good idea at the time?

BenQ must have taken a page from BlackBerry's Pearl Harbor ad campaign where the Japanese were depicted as dropping smartphones into the hands of screaming Cingular users. – Jason Chen

Product Page [BenQ - Thanks Nick!]

China Makes a Sexy, Slutty Robot

Jason Chen — Fri, 27 Oct 2006 21:00:31 EDT

We were wondering when the first sexy robot was actually going to be sexy. What with the Karaoke android, the robot monkey, the Chinese beauty robot, and Korea's Ever-1 android all looking a might less than sexy, our hopes for a Human-Robot mating ritual were at an all time low. No longer!

This "Dion" robot from China can both "sing" (in Chinese) and look sexy. Yes, simultaneously. That's two more than Britney Spears can currently do. Check out the video to see her in all her slutty, nipply, mid-drift-revealing glory. – Jason Chen

Video Link [Impress]

Robot News [Impress via i4u]

Packard Bell Sold by NEC to the Chinese - Next Up, Derr?

Jason Chen — Tue, 17 Oct 2006 17:08:24 EDT

After NEC's selling off of Packard Bell to eMachines co-founder and Chinese entrepreneur Lap Shun Hui, the count of Chinese-owned PC manufacturers is now officially at two (the other is Lenovo). Then again, it's not like anybody has purchased a Packard Bell desktop since 1994, but this move may signal a re-entry into the market, possibly on the low, low, eMachine-low-end of desktop sales by a once dominant force.

Next up, Michaer Derr changes his name and sells his company, putting this lame joke out of commission for good. – Jason Chen

NEC Confirms Packard Bell Sale [Betanews via Slashgear]

First Ever Chinese Cooking Robot Cooks Like Robo-Mama Used To

Jason Chen — Tue, 10 Oct 2006 14:44:52 EDT

This AIC-AICookingrobot can make Chinese dishes from various areas of China—Sichua, Huai Yang, and Shandong—all while NOT smoking and cursing. The robot took four years of research and $253,000 to develop, which is more money than you'd have to pay an actual Chinese person to come cook for you every day for four years.

This guy can fry, bake, boil and steam with the best of them, so whenever it goes on sale you can install one in your home to have authentic Chinese food every day of the week. Which, speaking from experience, isn't all it's cracked up to be. – Jason Chen

Video [CCTV (Crashed my Firefox)]

Chinese scientists invent first cooking robot [Spluch]

Chinese Robot Gallery

Jason Chen — Mon, 14 Aug 2006 18:15:49 EDT

The Chinese are standing up and saying they to, like the Japanese, can make weird-ass robots that scare little children. Here's a gallery of robots made in China, including a robot waiter, a 330lb rickshaw-pulling robot made by a farmer, a four fingered piano playing robot, and that beauty robot we saw last week.

The scariest one? This robot chimpanzee made by the Chinese Academy of Sciences. Now we won't have to worry about monkeys taking over the world (Planet of the Apes) or robots taking over the world (every other Sci-Fi movie). It'll actually be monkey robots. And we can identify them by their cheap Chinese-made Disney knockoff shirts. – Jason Chen

A gallery of unusual Chinese robots [Primidi]

Chinese Beauty Robot Needs More Beauty

Jason Chen — Thu, 10 Aug 2006 19:45:52 EDT

Rong Cheng, the Chinese "beauty robot" created by the Institute of Automation of Chinese Academy of Sciences in Beijing, can do a lot of things. She can greet people in many Chinese dialects, she can respond to nearly 1,000 words, and she can even dance or bow. What she can't do, much like the Korean Ever-1 Android, is win any beauty contests.

She's not repulsive by any means, but at a construction price of $37,500, you'd think some of that yuan would have gone into sexing her up a little bit. – Jason Chen

Beauty Robot [China Daily via Chinese Beauty Robot]

CHT 9000: The First Chinese 3G PDA Phone

Jason Chen — Thu, 29 Jun 2006 21:20:56 EDT

Pretty much a repackaged HTC TyTN (HTC Hermes), the CHT 9000 from Dopod is the first 3G Chinese PDA phone. If it keeps the HTC TyTN's design, there's Tri-Band UMTS, WiFi, and a slide-out keyboard with Chinese phonetic characters to enter in data. Running Windows Mobile 5, the phone has USB and microSD for connectivity and storage. The HTC TyTN should be available in Europe at the end of July, for those who can't read Chinese.

Ok, so there's not that much new here, we just wanted an excuse to show that picture. – Jason Chen

CHT 9000 [Phone Daily via Phoneyworld]

Nokia Sues Chinese Companies For 7260 Knockoffs

Jason Chen — Wed, 28 Jun 2006 15:00:15 EDT

This is interesting news—Nokia is suing two companies for producing copies of their Nokia 7260 phone, and suing them in Beijing no less. Nokia wants them to stop making and selling the phones and pay damages.

The two companies are Shenzhen Telsda Mobile Communication Industry Developing Co. Ltd. and Song Xun Da Zhong Ke Electronic (Shenzhen) Co. Ltd., in case you've got some connection to either. We'll be interested in seeing how this one turns out. If Nokia wins, it may mean a lot less cheap knockoffs of non-Chinese products. – Jason Chen

Nokia says Chinese copied stylish phone [Businessweek via Textually]

Image courtesy iproceed

Apple's iPod Manufacturer Foxconn Admits To Breaking CHINESE Labor Laws

Jason Chen — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 18:00:08 EDT

They have labor laws in China? Apparently so, and Foxconn has admitted that they've went well beyond the limit.

Chinese workers can be forced to work up to 36 hours extra a month without Inspector Knacker of the Peking Yard raising an eyebrow, but Foxconn's 80 hours is well over this maximum.

Not only did they flaunt local laws, the Foxconn spokesperson said Apple sent a team to investigate and didn't find any problems. Uh oh. That's not going to go well for either Apple or Foxconn. – Jason Chen

Foxconn Admits Breaking Labor Laws In China [China CSR via The Inquirer]

GPLUS DS810 Cellphone

Jason Chen — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 16:27:48 EDT

This slider phone may be made in China, but it rivals (steals?) the design of similar Samsung slider phones that are quite popular now. The DS810 has an 1.3 megapixel camera, 64MB of internal memory, T-FLASH expansion slot, and MP3/Video playback.

The kicker for this phone is the "diary" feature, where you can write diary or blog entries and have it upload automatically to a site via WAP. The phone's made in China so the UI is in Chinese, but many Chinese phones have different language selections, so an English UI may be there. A cool white alternative to the black Samsung sliders. – Jason Chen

Phone Daily [via Mobile Whack]