Gizmodo: copycats

Forget iClones, Everybody's Copying the Iriver Spinn These Days

Dan Nosowitz — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 21:00:00 EST

Looks like the iriver Spinn is the hippest template for shameless plagiarism these days. Not one but two devices, a camera and a PMP, have popped up with obvious "inspiration" from iriver's '70s-influenced baby.

The camera, a no-name little 5MP bugger from China, is more forgivable, since its spinning mechanism does serve a different purpose: turn the lens around and you can take self-portraits.

But the PMP, a much less-crappy design by Myracer called the lisse t10, takes the awkward pointed chin of the T-Mobile G1 and pairs it with the sleek contours and, of course, the spinner, of the Spinn. For shame, nameless Chinese manufacturing drones. For shame. [Engadget and DAPReview]

Japanese Security Firm Yaroo's Logo Looks Suspiciously Familiar

Elaine Chow — Tue, 20 Jan 2009 03:00:00 EST

Apparently China isn't the only place where popular logos seem to be mysteriously borrowed by other businesses. You don't have to search too far to find Tokyo security firm Yaroo's inspiration.

A camera crew visited Yaroo headquarters to inquire into the strange resemblance between it's logo and that of Japan's most popular search engine (that's right... Yahoo! is Japan's most popular search engine).

But the company spokesman denied that theirs was an imitation. The spokesman explained that the name “Yaroo” was a play on the Japanese word “Yaru,” which means “do.” Since they'll do anything. Including copy stuff, presumably. Ya-boo. [Pink Tentacle]

Microsoft Phone Patent Looks Just Like the iPhone

Adam Frucci — Fri, 12 Oct 2007 13:35:59 EDT

In a patent filed this July, Microsoft wanted to stake their claim to a new interface for use on a touchscreen in a mobile device. The patent, entitled "Extensible filtered lists for mobile device user interface" looks kind of familiar… where have I seen it before? Oh, right. It's the iPhone's exact interface.

Whaa? I'm pretty sure Apple beat you to that one, guys. And it's not just the photos/album covers interface, either. Check out this totally unique voicemail interface.

It's not clear what this patent is for; perhaps a greatly-changed new version of Windows Mobile? A ZunePhone? Something else? In any case, I'm not sure if there are enough differences here to warrant getting a new patent, but I guess it'll save them more face than if they paid Apple outright for their interface. [Microsoft Patent via Dialaphone]