It is powered by a good old 1.6GHz Intel Atom N270, 1GB of RAM, a 160GB hard drive and a 3-cell battery. No word on an OS, but let's hope it is something that looks better than the SD card slot and ports on the right side of the chassis.

Frankly I'd rather the better smelling flowers it is pictured with and a decent Hackintoshed netbook. But it can be yours for $2000 RMB (about $280) this September. [M.I.C. Gadget Flickr via micgadget.com]

Inspiring a knockoff is something like a rite of passage for any new handset, and virtually no desirable phones go uncopied. This article is a decent primer on the industry in general, but its material cost breakdown—the likes of which we regularly see for desirable, legitimate handets—is particularly revealing. These knockoff houses feed from the same supply chains as their mainstream counterparts, and a meaningful proportion of their build costs—for basic parts like mics, vibration motors and speakers—are therefore identical.

The major cost savings come from in the most expensive—and generally, important—components. Judged against, say, a G1 (which carries a build cost of $140), a $40 knockoff will have a significantly cheaper screen, baseband, and camera module. Software, design and marketing costs are almost nothing, so the customary 100%-200% markup, which is roughly inline with—if not a bit lower than—the expected markup for no-contract mainstream handsets, is pure profit. The take-home message: these companies aren't just doing this to be funny. [NYT]

I tell you you why. Because despite the 1GB of memory, 160GB HD, multi-format card reader, 1.3 megapixel camera, and Wi-Fi, toting around a a Vaino will make you the lamest fashionista wannabe in the world, that's why. [UMPC Fever via Slashgear]

Update: Ben Johnson tells us that even the tips supplied don't match the ones on the box. You get no generic USB or Samsung Blackjack, but you do get an iPhone connector (not 3G-compliant).

Windows Mobile 6.0. TOUCH FLO smart operation interface and real-time sliding interface [what?] dynamic Screen technology (realize sensitive operation with distance, light and movement. Such as: auto cross screen when browsing web and watching movie/photo, auto shut down the screen light when phone closing to face after connection, etc.) Super large 3.2" touch LCD, built-in OFFICE softwares, real-time send/receive E-MAIL/MSN/QQ2007. Super E-map (can realize GPS satellite navigation with external GPS receiver). Unique memory card encryption technology to prevent information leakage!

It's pretty much the iPhone. In fact, if you gave it to your grandpa and called it the iPhone, he probably wouldn't even know the difference. Of course, this is being sold at an online store that sells shoes as well as knockoff phones, but your grandpa would probably just praise you on getting a good deal. [Dragon Kicks via Red Ferret]

[Geekmatica]

2.1-inch, 16 million color QVGA screen
FM radio
2 Megapixel camera
Micro SD support
Stereo speakers
110x50x17.6 mm
Weighs 99g

The bit that makes me laugh the most is that it comes with a certificate stating that the gold and crystals are real. Cough. [Just Another Mobile Phone Blog via Slashphone]

This situation reminds me of an article in the New Yorker, except instead of technology, it's fashion. To summarize, the author says knockoffs are good for fashion because 1) it brings high fashion down to a price range that normal, working people can afford, and 2) it forces designers to change up their looks for the next season.

The knockoffs apply much the same way to the tech world. By taking Apple's UI, Meizu's bringing technology to the people who can't afford to buy a phone for $399 (Meizu's prices are between $259 and $453). They're also forcing Apple to innovate and become even better in order to stay one step ahead of the game.

We're not saying it's right or legal for Meizu to steal Apple's UI, we just think it could be a good thing for consumers in the end. After all, that Meizu Miniplayer is actually a pretty decent PMP even if it's essentially a nano. [Meizu via Electronista]

[New Yorker via Boingboing]

The peripherals work with games like Realplay Golf, Realplay Tennis, Realplay Racing, Realplay Pool, Realplay Bowling and Realplay Puzzlesphere, and require the wireless motion device called the GameTrak Version 2 for $40. The games? $60. So that's $100 plus tax that you could put into the cost of buying a Wii. [Neoseeker]

If the tiny screen and lousy buttons weren't enough to warn you that is a complete turd, maybe the picture after the jump will.

Scotch tape armband anyone? – Jason Chen

Thanks Marco!

Zune [Gizmodo]

Form what we saw, video was sharp and actually quite detailed. The m18 has a 480x272 dpi display and the M16 had a 320x240 display. The video wasn't completely fluid, but it was definitely watchable.

What's cool was this thing can actually record from TV/DVD/CD/DV to MPEG-4, and output to NTSC/PAL for watching on the TV. It supports up to a 2GB SD card, and has a 2000 mAh battery. No pricing on this, we're pretty sure it'll be a cheap knockoff iPod/iPhone player when it's released. – Jason Chen

Much less expensive than Apple's offering, but somehow we doubt it's built to the same standards. Would make for a great gag gift though. – Jason Chen

[BULK]MP4 (IPOD NANO 2G lookalike), [Lowyat via The MP3 Players]