Posted on 03/18/2005 8:14:10 AM PST by r5boston
A company in China is producing an imitation of Apple's 4GB iPod mini. Unlike the Super shuffle -- a nearly identical copy of the iPod shuffle -- this device does not resemble the authentic product as closely. It does, however, borrow the general appearance of the Mini. While it may not look exactly like Apple's iPod mini, the imitation is marketed using the iPod name in an obvious attempt to confuse consumers. The device lacks the iPod's trademark scroll wheel, but attempts to mimic the scroll wheel's appearance by arranging the navigation buttons in a ring around the center button. The device appears to be available in a two-piece silver enclosure only. It also adds features not found in the iPod mini.
The device offers line-in recording as well as voice recoding via line-in inputs for a built-in internal microphone. The battery offers 12 hours of playback, according to the webite. It also offer "optional" features such as an FM Tune, MP3 line-in encoding, and support for MP3, WMA, DRM WMA, ADPCM files. The drive is available as a OEM product to resellers and manufacturers and has no retail price.
Not hard since they are made in china anyway!
Generic iPod?
Looks like the Apple folks are going to win a very big suit against the Chinese company that produced this.
I am shocked, shocked to discover gambling here!
Quote: Looks like the Apple folks are going to win a very big suit against the Chinese company that produced this.
They will have to wair in line as there are 3 million other bootleg cases in the docket ahead of them.
Chaing: Americans soooo stuuupid. (think chinese voice with squinting eyes)
LOL, agreed.
China thinks that patents, copyrights, and product development costs are for suckers. Until the US decides to do anything about it, we are proving them right.
True. But what are we gonna do about it? We don't make anything here anymore. They've got the big teats and we need the milk.
> support for MP3, WMA, DRM WMA, ADPCM files
Pretty cool actually, isn't it?
I bet this "iPod" doesn't cost more than $50.
The chicoms have been doing this for years, but I dont think they have ever payed up or stopped doing it.....this time WONT be any different
If Apple used Celestica PRC (instead of Celestica Thailand or Celestica Mexico) to produce IPod, I'd expect many knockoffs. Not Celestica's fault - what happens is, with the high turnover rate of employees in the PRC, the intellectual property flows outwards rapidly. Anyone who uses EMS facilities in the PRC, can categorically expect to lose their IP. If IPod was produced in Celestica PRC, Apple probably demanded that it be produced there to save a couple of bucks.
There are many other low cost geos to produce in, with existing EM Services (just like Apple uses, not their own factories) where piracy rates are either much lower or non existent. People make willing choices and demand that their EMS produce things in PRC facilities all in order to save a few bucks. It's a trade off and in this case the gamble did not work out well.
EMS "IP leakage" ping ...
Where can I get one!!!
(i hate my ipod shuffle and am sending it back to Apple)
The shuffle of legal papers must be deafening about now. :')
Unfortunately, you are exactly correct.
Sounds like you can't wait to get you one?
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