knockoffs

I just last week spent $30 on new iPhone earbuds. Mine were in the pocket of my favorite peacoat, which was recently stolen by some awful human being. I was shocked by the price, but that's the Apple way.

Today at my local QFC (the "Q" is for quality), I saw the above item for $5.99: eight AA batteries with iPod earbuds included for free! Imagine my excitement! I'll have a backup in case in the jacket thief (or, indeed, thieves) decide to strike again! For less than one-fifth what the fancy name brand cost! I scored, right?

I mean, look at them. They look just like regular iPod earbuds. They're white, shaped with the same design, and feature the helpful "left ear, right ear" icons. I'm sure they're of the same quality I'd get from Apple.

I needed the batteries because I'm a photographer. I mostly take photos in the evenings, which means I use an external flash that burns through batteries. That's what prompted my purchase. But at this point my excitement wasn't about the bargain of the power sources but rather the bargain of the free--I mentioned they were free, right?--iPod earbuds! … Read more

It's unclear why anyone would want to make a knockoff of Vertu's phones. For one thing, it would seem virtually impossible to do justice (or something) to its unique designs and highest-end materials. Perhaps even more difficult would be keeping up with its production schedule because Vertu keeps paying homage to itself with new lines.

None of these reasons are enough to dampen the spirit of Chinese entrepreneurism, which has manifested itself in the form of the "Veptu." This phone is purportedly also a luxury handset, finished in 18k or 24k gold plate and even diamonds … Read more

The sheer number of new mobile phones out there doesn't allow us to include every single one in our already-extensive database, let alone review all of them. As you might expect, knock-offs of iPhones are especially low priority in our "to review" list. That's not to say they aren't interesting, though, in a "should I get one for my boss because I hate him" kind of way.

The people at Red Ferret have an interesting roundup of five so-called iPhone clones. And as indicated by the comments and ratings from the author, none … Read more

It's amazing, the things you can find in hidden, out-of-the-way street markets.

Behold the "PolyStation," a circa-2004 gaming console that sells for about $40. I found it in the main souk in Dubai in a shop owned by a merchant from Iran. (Iranian immigrants own many of the stores there. Without their industriousness, it would probably be impossible to buy anything before 2 p.m.)

The PolyStation comes with a game controller. The merchant also told me it is compatible with games for other versions of the PolyStation and even compatible with games made for game consoles … Read more

There was a time that Sony epitomized the Japanese practice of taking American electronics designs, essentially copying them and then making them smaller. So it's no small bit of karma that a Chinese company has apparently duplicated almost ever respect of the PSP's external design.

There's just one difference: It's a phone. Akihabara News says this un-handset does have a game feature to go along with a 1.3-megapixel camera and the ability to play music and video--but, other than its cloned design, that seems to be end of any similarities to the PSP. Sony does … Read more

What would you get if you crossed an iPod with an LG Chocolate? If you've actually pondered that question, we delicately suggest that you get out more.

But some people, like the editors at Mobile Magazine, get paid to think such big thoughts, and we're glad they do. Because that's a perfect way to describe the latest version of the "Pico" by Luxpro, a thin MP3 player that combines the design of a Nano with Chocolate-like features such as touch-sensitive buttons. It also has a 1.5-inch color screen, FM radio, and USB connection. But … Read more