Gizmodo: meizu m8

Meizu M8's New Interface Almost Makes Me Want It

matt buchanan — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 16:00:00 EDT

Meizu M8, maybe the most legendary knockoff gadget around, maintains its "inspired" tradition with a refreshed UI that feels faintly of the Palm Pre in terms of graphical styling. I like it, even if I know, really, I'd hate it.

[Meizu via Meizu Me via Engadget

The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.
The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.
The image associated with this post is best viewed using a browser.

Is the Meizu M8 iPhone Clone Getting… Android?

Adam Frucci — Fri, 19 Jun 2009 16:20:00 EDT

Do you want an iPhone but wish it ran Android instead of Apple's mobile OS? No? Well, too bad, because Meizu might be bringing Android to its M8 iPhone clone.

Meizu has announced that the M8 is getting a UI update with its firmware 1.0 release, due in August. And apparently Meizu has gathered a team up "with the sole purpose of investigating the Android platform."

Android on an iPhone clone? I guess stranger things have come out of China (and this probably isn't even coming out of China), but it just seems…unnatural. [MeizuMe via Engadget]

Meizu Pondering Follow Up To M8 With 3G, GPS And a 5-Megapixel Camera

Sean Fallon — Fri, 15 May 2009 16:38:00 EDT

Despite years of unfulfilled hype about the M8 iPhone clone, it appears that Meizu's CEO Jack Wong is talking about a new installment that may or may not include 3G, GPS and a 5-megapixel camera.

Given their history, you probably have as much of a chance of getting your hands on the proposed Meizu phone as you do seeing Bigfoot and the Loch Ness monster make out in a UFO. Prove me wrong Jack, prove me wrong. [Meizu Forum via The Gadget Site]

Meizu M8 Captured On Film: Realer Than Big Foot But Not Nearly As Interesting

Mark Wilson — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 09:30:00 EDT

Remember the Meizu M8? It was the iPhone clone, the one that we were all excited to see...back in 2007. Now that Apple's added 3G to the mix, expanded storage and lowered the price with contract, the prospect of a (still unreleased) 8GB iClone has gotten a whole lot less enticing. But just for those who thought Meizu could never do it, here's a decent walkthrough of their interface. Please note, however, that the clip contains some suggestive images of (underage?) females that you may not want to play at work. Stay classy, Meizu! [via Electronista]

Meizu M8, Something You Burn in a Paper Bag on Someone's Porch

Mark Wilson — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 09:59:02 EST

Engadget scored some time with a Meizu M8 mini One prototype board at CeBIT. And even while this demo is not constrained by the size of the M8 final hardware, the experience leaves a lot to be desired. The touchscreen has major, persistent lag issues (though Meizu claims it's a demo hardware issue) and, as you'll see, the software is too buggy to last two minutes before crashing. While we've been looking forward to Meizu's iPhone knockoff for a long time now, we're wondering if it's not too early for our anticipation to throw in the towel. [engadget]

Meizu M8 Goes on Sale to Suppliers?

Haroon Malik — Sat, 09 Feb 2008 09:55:00 EST

The much hyped Meizu M8 seems to have gone on sale to suppliers via Alibaba. The companies listed to be holding stock are Fujian Huaxia Trade Co., Ltd, Samsin Trade Co., Ltd and Fuzhou ZhongTianLi Trade Co among others. Update: An Adminstrator over at Meizume, the Meizu fan's forum, ensures us the M8 is not out yet. Further, it is stated in the post that the release of the M8, whenever that should be, will only be made official on the Meizume forum. Nothing is mentioned regarding the new white paint job the M8 in the above image is sporting. [Meizume]

The specifications seem to be in agreement through each distributor/manufacturer. Additionally, Samsin is listing an all white edition of the M8, which we have not seen before. Word is still out on a definite release date, but the online retailer, Elite-Electronix is listing the launch date as 03 March, this year. Whenever it does hit, we'll be sure to wet our pants in excitement/relief. [PMP Today; Elite-Electronix]

Actual Meizu M8 Image Surfaces

Jason Chen — Fri, 14 Dec 2007 14:02:17 EST

The folks over at Meizu have decided that it's finally time to unveil actual shots of the Meizu M8 iPhone-inspired phone, and they've got some low quality shots to prove it. You can see that it's got a miniUSB port, a camera just like where the iPhone's camera is, and button placement just like the iPhone. The only major difference that we can see between this and the iPhone is that it's entirely black instead of silver. That's about it. [Meizu via MeizuMe]

Rumor Smashed: Meizu Didn't Rip Off Artist For Phone Renders

Jason Chen — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 16:00:13 EST

Despite making a Meizu phone that looks way too close to the iPhone to be a coincidence, the latest news about Meizu ripping off an artist to pimp their work is off-base. It's true that someone placed Deviant Art artist Lithium Picnic's photo onto a Meizu M8, but it turns out that the image was actually rendered by a fan on Meizu's forums. Not that it makes things any more legit, but Meizu themselves aren't to blame for this round of appropriating someone else's work and calling it their own. [Meizu]

Meizu M8 Gets New Look, New Price

Mark Wilson — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 10:08:45 EDT

Our favorite iPhone iClone, the Meizu M8, has gotten a face lift and new price. But interestingly enough, the M8's design (aside from growing 1/10 of an inch) has been altered to look less like the iPhone, ditching the shiny, metallic edges and rear for an iPod Touchesque charcoal shading. In fact, it looks almost just like the Touch. But I thought I was buying an iPhone knockoff! But no complaints, since the new pricing information has been released.

Still scheduled for a December release, the pricing has been slightly more finalized at $265 (4GB), $320 (8GB) and $400 (16GB). Sure, those prices don't look all that cheap...until you realize there's no two-year contract rebate involved. Wait a second...what does the iPhone really cost??? [meizume via wired]

Meizu M8 Rips Off the iPhone UI and Why That's a Good Thing

Jason Chen — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 20:10:39 EDT

Although the Meizu M8 Phone may rip off the iPhone with its music UI (and every other UI), it could be a good thing. First, take a look at the photos in the gallery and see just how similar they are to the iPhone.

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]

New Meizu MiniOne Pic Released While World Keeps Watching Mike Matas

Addy Dugdale — Mon, 18 Jun 2007 07:49:37 EDT

Here's a new picture of the Anti-Jesus Phone just released by Meizu's CEO Jack Wong in their bulletin board. Looks like the false prophet wants to steal some thunder off the iPhone launch, because he says that there are more to come very soon. In the meantime, the rest of the world keeps watching some dude in a train again and again. Jesus Diaz

Meizu Planning New M8 Mini One Photo Release [Meizu Me]

Meizu M8 Pricing Revealed: Most Affordable iPhone Clone Yet

Louis Ramirez — Fri, 02 Mar 2007 11:23:59 EST

When it comes to affordable iPhone clones, Meizu seems to be leading the pack now that they've unveiled the pricing for their M8 cell phone. The 4GB model with built-in camera will go for $310 while the 8GB version will go for $400. The entry-level model (with no camera) will go for only $195 at 4GB and $285 at 8GB. Compare that to the iPhone's $499/$599 price and suddenly Meizu's option doesn't look so bad. Though it's still an iPhone clone. Louis Ramirez

Meizu iPhone Clone's UI, Pricing Revealed [Electronista]

Franken(P)review: Attack of the iClones

Mark Wilson — Wed, 28 Feb 2007 14:30:06 EST

It's like that episode of Beverly Hills 90210 when Brenda and Kelly both say they hate that black dress with the big white bow on it, but then they each show up to the dance wearing the thing. And then they had a pillowfight in nothing but their hot pink scrunchies to battle for my love. Yeah...

Some people call them iPhone clones, others call them showing up in the same touchscreen. Whoever started developing first doesn't matter anymore; we just want to know which sexy iPhonish smartphone deserves our children's "college fund" the most. Hit the jump for our Frankenpreview of the different "iPhone clones" coming to the market, and see how they stack up against the Vision of Apple.

iSoftPhone
Price: $100
What??
It's not actually a phone. It's VoIP software that just looks like a phone.
But!
Hold your Macbook up to your ear, and that hipster chick eyeing you up at Panera will never know the difference.

Neonode N2
Price: N/A
2-inch 176 x 220 display
2 Megapixel camera
GSM Quadband
GPRS
Mini-SD slot
OS: Proprietary

What? ?
The N2 uses a innovative, but non-intuitive gesture interface. But its bigger problem is its limited data capability since it lacks newer, speedier transmission standards. And without WiFi as backup, there is a limit to just how "smart" this phone can be.
But!
It's only half the length of the iPhone and weighs just a little under 2 Nanos (about half the weight of the iPhone). You have to appreciate the aggressively small form factor coupled with an interface that, at the very least, confronts the issue of impossibly small buttons.

Teclast T59
Price: N/A

3.5-inch display (VGA)
3G
Wi-Fi & GPS
OS: Windows CE

What? ?
The T59 is 100% concept renderings at this point. As far as we can tell, they haven't even built a mock-up for beautiful models to pretend to be talking to us on yet. So until we see it...let's just say we've been hurt before, ok?
But!
The largest model (as in product, not the hot model mentioned above) is said to hold a massive 16GB of music and videos, which is double that of Apple's phone and bigger than any company's options on this list. But more importantly, it sports an FM radio!

LG Prada
Price: $778

Specs:
3.0-inch display, 240 x 400
GSM Quadband
EDGE data
2 megapixel camera
microSD
OS: Proprietary

What??
The Prada lacks both WiFi and built-in storageconsidering the hefty price tag (you are charging even more than Apple, LG), these features will be more than missed. Plus, Europe and Asia get the Prada first while we convince ourselves that the pink Razr is still all the rage.
But!
The Prada is a bit smaller than the iPhone, can't be worse than the Chocolate and...it's not the iPhoneas they made clear. And Apple has become so bourgeois...

Meizu M8/MiniOne
Price: N/A
3.3-inch VGA touchscreen
GSM and TD-SCDMA
3MP camera (back), .3MP camera (front)
TV-Out
OS: Windows CE 6.0

What??
This product is the real deal knock-off, actually changing their design post-iPhone announcement. Consider the MiniOne the technological equivalent to breast implants. Sure they look may look good, but do they really offer the same user experience? (That question isn't rhetorical, btw).
But!
720x480 video playback at 30fps might mean we'll actually use the Meizu for ~~porn~~ daily tasks, especially with its TV-out option. Maybe the more important aspect of PMPs is less regarding the 3-inch screen clarity, and more about the device's ability to interact with home theater equipmentwherever you may be.

However, the long and short of it is that most of these Apple alternatives won't see American releases soon, if at all. So even though it may seem like the market has flooded abruptly with thousands of magical touchscreen phones, the choice may (unfortunately) be easier than you'd think. Mark Wilson

Update: You're right, Meizu M8 Totally NOT iPhone Clone

Gizloco — Tue, 13 Feb 2007 14:05:04 EST

Here's more incriminating evidence that the Meizu M8 rips off the iPhone hardcore, which we first noticed two weeks ago. One thing's for sure: the Meizu dude needs to cut his fingernails. Nicholas Deleon

iPhone Look A-Like, Meizu miniOne To Make Its Debut [VR-Zone via My iPhone]