Meizu's miniOne packs more acronyms than you can handle

iPhone clone or not, we've got to hand it to Meizu for equipping its miniOne handset with a veritable what's-what of modern day mobile tech. According to Akhiabara News, freshly-updated specs allegedly indicate that the device -- assuming it makes it past Apple's legal gauntlet, of course -- will ship in configurations ranging from 4 to 16GB of internal storage and feature a 533MHz ARM11 core from Samsung, 128MB of DDR (yes, DDR) RAM, VGA front and 3 megapixel rear cams, Bluetooth, WiFi, DMB mobile television, and integrated GPS all wrapped up in a tight little Windows Mobile 6 package. Oh yeah, and don't forget the glorious 720 x 480 display and the 3G data. Sound too good to be true? Yep, and as long as we see nothing more than renderings of the miniOne floating around, we'll figure it is too good to be true.

[Leonard Nimrod @ May 18th 2007 2:59PM]

I don't think you quite get it. Meizu's phone isn't available yet, and they copied the splash screen directly from someone else. After the initial screen it's the same lackluster interface Meizu users are used to.

The real "pwnage" here is by Apple as its still unreleased iPhone has changed the paradigm so much that it's basic interface has already been copied by at three times so far.

[f00 @ May 18th 2007 2:09PM]

Afraid to admit that the Chinese pwned Apple on this one, Engadget?

[Leonard Nimrod @ May 18th 2007 2:32PM]

@ f00,

How does Apple get "pwned" by being blatantly copied? There is nothing original about their design or concept. If you look under the hood, the similarities end after the splash screen. You can't recreate 15 years* of OS X framework creation overnight.

These copycat creations are nothing more than proof that the iPhone has shifted the paradigm. Consumers—regardless of your cell carrier or phone manufacturer—will inevitably benefit from Apple's iPhone and the new way it interacts with the carrier's network. I'm looking forward to the new, legitimate ideas that make it to market.


* Don't forget that OS X started with NeXt.

[Tantrum @ Jun 26th 2007 2:23PM]

@Leonard Nimrod

Blatently copied?

It is rumoured that the chief designer at Apple responsible for the design of the iPhone, came up with the idea after a tour of several factories in China.

T.

[wako @ May 18th 2007 2:12PM]

Wait... so this thing is a phone as well? I was always under the impression that it was just going to be a PDA/mp3 player.


Anyways, i hope we see this in the states. Hopefully it will put pressure on Apple so that they will bring their prices down.

[Mark @ May 18th 2007 2:14PM]

All I can say is if this is real: "O-M-G"

[HC @ May 18th 2007 2:27PM]

this looks pretty awesome.

[Alan Strangis @ May 18th 2007 3:04PM]

Leonard N: "These copycat creations are nothing more than proof that the iPhone has shifted the paradigm."

You might have a point if the iPhone was the first mobile to be cloned by the knock off artist. Given that this is far from the truth, would you say that all other phones that received the knockoff treatment also "shifted the paradigm"?

Methinks you've bought into the hype.

[Mobi Fin @ May 18th 2007 2:33PM]

Leave it to Meizu to reinvent the iPoone offering a magnitude of improvements.

[dizilbdog @ May 18th 2007 2:36PM]

Anyone know if this is coming to America, or is all we get to do is look in Ahhhh

[Joey Villarreal @ May 18th 2007 2:37PM]

Give me a break. This is shiz! It even stole the interface and the mask on the top and bottom. This is retarded. This is like when I've been to mexico and they have a box that looks like a playstation and it's called a powerstation and it plays a bunch of shit pre-loaded games. Why do people waist time. these people shouldn't have jobs. ugh!

[Paul @ May 18th 2007 2:43PM]

lol good point

[Dasone @ Jul 6th 2007 12:55PM]

The phone is hot..... get off apple's di.. phones are all based on each other so what........i like the phone... it comes gsm so you can buy it over there and have it shipped here .......so it will be in the states....comes out sometime between august 07 and Dec 07. I am getting mine...if what they say is true...This part is for the apple heads.......get off apple dick they do the same thing that everyone else does .....they are not superhuman... they are nice but you guys make me not want anything from them the way you act.. a bunch of apple whores.....

[smoke Tetsu @ May 18th 2007 2:48PM]

It is a rip of the iPhone design-wise but this does look like it has its advantages.. like twice the storage capacity, TV Tuner and a lower price. I wish Apple would come out with an iPhone that was at least 16GB. Preferably as much storage as their iPods. I do sort of remain skeptical as it does sound a bit too good to be true but if it is then it could give the iPhone a run for its money.

[josh @ May 18th 2007 2:51PM]

Hmm, how is Apple legal going to block this? A touch screen windows mobile phone... those have been shipping for oh, half a decade or so. Apple has only done two things new with the iPhone: multitouch in a futile attempt to overcome the limitations of touch screens (tactile feedback will always rule the roost for input usability and touchscreens, apple or otherwise, have yet to provide any) and the voicemail message queue (which is cool). Other than that it really isn't remarkably different from any other PDA phone.

It may run OS X, but personally I think they would have been much better of designing an OS from the ground up for an embedded environment rather than relying on a desktop OS. There are embedded requirements that should be core to the operating system design: power management and performance on low end, low ram systems being the two biggest. You can strip down a desktop OS kernal to get the latter, and strap on power management (laptop power management is a world different from PDA power management) but I believe you would be better off designing the OS from the start with these things in mind... sorta like windows mobile was.

So yeah, 15 years of OS X development (and only a dubious claim if you count NeXT, which is only tangentially OS X) and framework sorta means squat in the same way that saying a company that has 15 years experience building sky scrappers is at an obvious advantage building a doll house.

That said, this device will be exciting when 1) It does have a working model available and 2) I see battery life numbers. Also, one strength Apple will have is that they will have accessories (don't discount those, I bought my Girlfriend a Zune rather than the Gigabeat S, argueably a nicer player, because the Zune had a great deal more accessories available).

16 GB of space for less than the 8 GB iphone though, that is a pretty compelling arguement.

[steven @ May 18th 2007 2:51PM]

This is just a rendering of the miniOne this aint comming out for years and never will in the US if it looks like that so dont get your hopes up...

[MacVicta @ May 18th 2007 2:55PM]

Lol, I can't believe these "Apple has been topped" comments whenever there's news on this vaporware.

I'll repeat what I said at another blog (the brunt of which Chris Ziegler touched on in his final two sentences):

When will we see the actual device? All I ever see are mockups and promises of what's to come. Apple could do the same thing by revealing plans for the next generation iPhone but that's not what the game is about. That's an M$ move.

You're going ga-ga over simulated images, specs and prices of something Meizu HOPES to achieve. Has anybody even seen a prototype? There were supposed pictures of a proto but it could've been nothing more than a piece of metal with a sticker on front to mimic the home screen. It had the same image you see above in EVERY picture.

Get at me when there's a product to purchase. I'm less than 30 days away from my iPhone.

[ShaleX @ May 18th 2007 5:29PM]

iPhone is cool and all.. but it's too expensive, and I hate Cingular. For me, the iPhone is $700 cause i'd have to break my contract. I have a strong feeling the iPhone is going to be Apple's PS3.

[mike @ May 18th 2007 3:18PM]

Wait... so this thing is a phone as well? I was always under the impression that it was just going to be a PDA/mp3 player.

--

While we're discussing a totally fictional product that, if Engadget posters are to be believed, pisses all over Apple's patents, why not make it a phone?

You can make it whatever you want it to be!

[PooDeFuego @ May 18th 2007 3:27PM]

yes....but does it understand the binary language of moisture vaporators??

[dynamicD @ May 18th 2007 3:24PM]

I'm suprised no ones seen the real pictures of this yet.

http://www.meizume.com/showthread.php?t=720

[plaidpjs @ May 18th 2007 4:11PM]

LOL... those aren't real pictures, those are photoshopped. Check out the intersection of the thumb as it overlaps the bottom corner of the display and the left edge of the device where they screen meets the actual body of the so-called device. At the very best, that is someone holding a completely different device that has had a mock-up image matted over it.

[Javier @ May 18th 2007 3:45PM]

Damn! That's a sexy looking phone/PDA, quite frankly. I don't think the iPhone is any sort of "tight spot" however, unlike China, the rest of the world has Brand Loyalty, and they would pick up the iPhone even if it's more expensive and has less features. Then again, this Meizu device is no iPod, doesn't sync with iTunes or the iTunes Store, and that is something that will drive sales, not the device in itself. Just my thoughts.

Cheers!
Javier / The Outsider's View - http://www.javieraltman.com.ar/blog

[Sean O @ May 18th 2007 3:54PM]

Stop talking about the iPhone you stupid idiots. Both sides.

This is a PocketPC. There are hundreds of models and they've been around for years.

Yes, this one has an exterior shell design that is a blatent rip-off of the iPhone's exterior shell design. THAT'S IT. So the comparisons should end there.

To the person who said, "Apple got pwnd", you're an idiot.

And to the person who said, "This has nothing on Apple's 15 years of OSX Framework.... yada yada", you're also an idiot.

[Chris @ May 18th 2007 3:54PM]

All they have done is... made some 3D image that's strikingly similar to iPhone and claim that it packs all the good technology they can think of...

[Dax @ May 18th 2007 4:02PM]

This phone is junk!! Chinese software? LMAO! Cant wait! And those specs? Yeah, for $1200.00 at minimum.

[derek @ May 18th 2007 11:49PM]

was about to say the same thing... ;)

[boolean22 @ May 19th 2007 1:12PM]

wtf are you talking about? that's a reflection distorted by the fact that this stuff has a double protective glass on it, you moron.

[plaidpjs @ May 19th 2007 8:57PM]

Wow... were morons, huh?

Look at the edge of the thumb that is flat pressed like it's gripping the side of something that isn't there. Look at the hard, dark line along the base of the thumb join where it goes over the body of the device. Look at the missing shadowing on the inside of the palm.

That's a completely doctored image. As is every single other known image of the supposed Meizu One. hell, most of them can't even get the overall look correct, seeing as the buttons, logoing and contents of the front face plate change in every image shown.

But, thank you for sharing your keen understanding of photo-manipulation with us anyway!

Next... and, buh-bye!

[Karl Viklund @ May 18th 2007 4:29PM]

Already cloning Apple... Incredible.

[Adrian Williams @ May 18th 2007 4:58PM]

Nice phone but I wont be getting one just like I wont be getting a Iphone despite the 20% off i'll get I dont like having to walk around all day with a damn bluetooth earpice in looking like a total dyck nor do I want to buy a extra battery(ipod+phone=dead battery) and screen protector for a damn phone.
This is what got me confused ok will you be able to listen to music thur your bluetooth headset if so wont that battery in the headset die first or will it include a wired earpice so when youre listening to music and some one call you you'll look like you're singing Sanjaya's greatest hits.

[Nikoooo @ May 18th 2007 5:22PM]

The iPhone is supposed to bring us "full internet". The Meizu is based on WinCE 6.0. So forget about getting the same online experience...

[Lawrence @ May 18th 2007 5:30PM]

For those who don't believe this is a real product, check out the second picture here:

http://forums.vr-zone.com/showthread.php?t=138778

I am sooo getting one when it comes out.

[Keyn @ May 18th 2007 6:07PM]

Ok this is probably a picture of a real unit, but it still raises the question if it isn't a dummy unit, or is it a coincidence that on ALL pictures of the Meizu miniOne the time is 15:33?

[Mark @ May 18th 2007 5:32PM]

WM lurks inside? PU

[Keyn @ May 18th 2007 5:53PM]

@Dynamic D: what makes you think these are real working models? The design is different from the photo Engadget used, the pictures you referred to are old. And you can notice the photoshopping here and there.

But seriously do better specs make a better product? We all know with digital camera's for example that specs mean shit, the best en most accurate way is to take pictures of the same things and compare the pictures, like on www.dpreview.com. The same goes for smartphones/PDA's and almost every piece of electronica. Why did Nokia phones get so popular in the beginning, because their menu's made more sense then others, simple.
Face it, Windows Mobile 5 s*cks monkeyballs (haven't had much time with 6, but my colleagues aren't to excited over 6 either), and a great screen and 2 camera's isn't going to change that. Before we all get "feature horny" take a look at what really matters. Sure it has 16 GB to store Mp3's and movies, but do you REALLY want to use that Windows Mediaplayer, or that fugly Calender? As Jobs said in his keynote speech, have you ever tried making a call on any of these phones? It's awful to say at the least.
I don't see a stylus, do you think a company that is known for being a copycat has the R&D to make it actually just as usable with your finger?
Apple spent 2,5 years (probably the guys from FingerWorks actually, but that's another story) developing this accurate way of using your finger.
You know, I actually intend to use the things I buy. And when I see this and read about it, I really don't get the feeling Meizu isn't the kind of manufacturer that thinks in user scenarios. To me Meizu just takes a platform with a lot of features and lets Windows Mobile 6 figure it all out.

[dynamicD @ May 18th 2007 6:53PM]

First of all, I'm not defending this phone. I don't even like the form factor. I want real buttons. I'm waiting for the Ubiquio 503G, by the way.

Now, I never said it was a working phone. Normally pictures of the OS are displayed, it's the same picture on the phone in every picture, so you know it's a dummy. The pictures engadets have don't have the "M" at the bottom. But my main point was...I saw these pictures in April, I just found it funny everyone was getting so mad at the phone from all the comments...

[greg @ May 18th 2007 7:08PM]

please come to verizon and i will buy you!

[Darnell @ May 18th 2007 7:09PM]

First thing that springed to my mind was iPhone v. 2.0
That thing would cost a fortune to get here.

[mike @ May 18th 2007 7:54PM]

I have a strong feeling the iPhone is going to be Apple's PS3.

---

I have a strong feeling you're going to be eating your words in about 20 days.

[tele @ May 19th 2007 9:04PM]

The difference is that Meizu actually listens to what people want. You can go to their forum page and they are asking the people what things they would like to see in a pda PHONE not just telling them here is the phone and aren't you WOWed but its special features. Just to talk "ice-orange" on the forum and she (I believe)will help you out with what every problem you may have ...now thats instant service and feeback!!
I for one support Meizu 100% they are a great new innovative company they is willing to put their money where their mouth is and produce something that is better then just the stock standard gadgets out there.
I Have a Miniplayer from meizu and it beats an ipod nano hands down and it was only $120usd for a 4gig over a year ago ..last for ever on the battery, great screen resolution, and more features that i can every use ..the video is very cool.

Keep it up meizu!!
I can't wait for the mini one to be released!!!

[Joe @ May 18th 2007 10:54PM]

Ummm, couldn't you just as easily say that the iPhone copied HTC who has been making touchscreen phones for ages? Apple has some additional unique features, but so does the minione. Apple is innovative, yes, but they are also taking what someone else created and improved it. Isn't that also what Meizu is doing? Not like apple was the first to create a Personal Computer or an mp3 player or a laptop. I say all this and I own a MacBook and love it. Apple is inovative, yes.

So if Samsung, or Nokia, etc. came out with a touchscreen phone with a stylish interface and onboard memory, would they be copying the iPhone as well? At what point does it end? Did Microsoft ever complain that Apple was "copying" their OS back in the day? They both had menus and a desktop with backrounds, etc. I could go on and on. If it is illegal then don't fret my little Applefreaks, they will go at them full force with their lawyers that are employed from all the dollars you spent on their product. Apple didn't invent the computer, the touchscreen phone, the mp3 player, etc. They just made it different and in some cases better. So is Meizu want's to make a phone that's better than the iPhone, let them. If you think it is just cheap Chinese crap, why do you even worry about it? Do you really think that Apple will suffer and loose millions of dollars and go bankrupt because of this? I'm sure there are plenty of fanboys and girls to snatch up thousands of iPhones and allow apple to run the airconditioning in their building and pay the rent.

[Les @ May 19th 2007 12:25AM]

Thank you Joe, for being one of the very few Mac users who don't want to give jobbs a blow job.

I personally am a PC user(better for coding and more games), have an Ipod. Think the Iphone is a not that cool. its only slightly different and marketed very well.

Alot of these comments are coming from Mac fan boys, please form your own opinions and not just fill the boards with random mac love letters

[Roydon @ May 19th 2007 3:31AM]

Apple haven't shifted any paradigm, they have just released (or rather, will hopefully soon release) a new PDA phone. If it made you coffee in the morning, drove you to work, and then let you travel backwards in time to 1963, it would be a paradigm shift. It doesn't. It is a phone and PDA combination. That's it.

The reason so many knock-off's (such as the Meizu device in question) copy their layout is because the iPhone has generated so much hype that it's the flavour of the month. That's where Apple are brilliant and they did their magic with the iPhone in brilliant style. They took a basic PDA phone and made it the absolute rage in tech blogs worldwide. The iPod wasn't a paradign shift in MP3 players, it was just a well designed model that was paired with some beautifully marketing, and it was highly successful. I'm guessing that the iPhone will be the same, but let's be clear that there is no paradigm shift going on here.

[ywu005 @ May 19th 2007 3:45AM]

believe it or not, here is the real pictures and it will be in Europe and US no later than October 2007:
http://www.17tech.com/news/4820.html

it has several version, with camera or without camera.

[virgilisleading @ May 28th 2007 10:22PM]

i live in China and just have to warn you that these things are seldom true. Many even legitimate companies in China will claim to have features there products don't really have and if it really did have all these features almost no one in China could afford it.

[isitreally @ May 20th 2007 10:24AM]

HAH - I just love this!

Here's a phone that beats down every aspect of the iPhone spec, and the Apple fanboys are out in force with their war crys of 'its a fake!' and 'Apple invented the touch screen phone! How can this happen!'

Give me a break. I been using Windows Mobile for the last three years.. Ive had most incarnations of what HTC has had to offer and they've all been great. I'm currently on an HTC with WIFI, 3G, 2 cameras, extendable memory, Windows Excel, Word, Media Player - a sync that actually works! (yes, an MS sync that works?! How mad is that!) - The iPhone has multitouch and that's it...... apart from that, IT'S A PDA PHONE. With no proper sync to MS office, outlook etc etc; how many true business users will want or be able to use the iPhone?

Look, this MiniOne is a blatant rip off; let's not kid ourselves but the fact remains that you Apple fanboys have your blinkers on, if you think Apple have somehow done something new and special. My 2 year old HTC is better specced than iPhone, and so is this MiniOne; just suck it up and shut up. We all know you Applettes are blinded by the light, but reality must always win out... try coming back down to earth; the real world awaits you, ok!

- now if all the Apple fanboys can low rank this so as to keep their united front of ignorance alive! Thanks.

[Di @ May 19th 2007 7:12AM]

Meizu rocks!!!

[carlo @ May 19th 2007 11:13AM]

@isitreally

For those of us who have been using PDA phones for years now, the iPhone is a totally outdated concept. But, we are a very insignificant few (numerically speaking).

The majority of people here want technology to be like fashion, "pret a porter". That's the gist of Apple's latest advertising--isn't it?

Microsoft has not pushed Windows Mobile as aggressively because it has a steep learning curve. The iPhone is for those who don't want to deal with a steep learning curve. Overseas, they have been dealing with excellent phones with a steeper learning curve for a while now, which is why Apple is not so concerned with securing carriers.

Apple spoonfeeds technology to people here, and that's why they're so successful. For those of us who can handle solids, we can ding Apple for not appealing to us but have to realize that they're in it to make money--off of those who want it now and want it to work right out of the box.

[Georg @ May 19th 2007 6:23PM]

iphone - NO INBUILD GPS!!!!!!!!!!!!!
iphone - Not COMPATIBEL TO OUTLOOK!!!!!!!!!!!!

iphone - JUST A VERY EXPENSIVE LOW CLASS MP 3 PLAYER