ChinaVision offers projector phone that looks oddly familiar

Chinavision is now offering a Tri-band GSM (900MHz, 1800MHz, 1900MHz) phone with a built-in projector that is capable of displaying a 640×480 image. Though not unique to this phone, the projector is an interesting addition to a the phone’s feature set. The most striking thing about the phone, though, is the UI. It looks, well, identical to the iPhone! Despite the similarity, it is not some newfangled, 3rd generation, iPhone prototype. It is just a simple unbranded projector phone sold by Chinavision. Knowing how protective Apple is of their “brand image”, though, we wonder what those Cupertino folks will think when they get wind of this device?

[Via PMP Today]

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17 Responses to “ChinaVision offers projector phone that looks oddly familiar”

  1. 1
    MadMike says:

    I am starting to think China has no copyright laws what so ever.

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  2. 2
    backbeat says:

    ^ What the hell does that have to do with US/EU copyright laws, idiot? You know … Those that would actually apply where the interests of Apple or otherwise are involved. You make trolls seem appealing by comparison, asspirate!

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  3. 3
    Jimmy says:

    Because they’re in China and their government protects them and doesn’t enforce international copyright laws. That’s also the reason why hacked and illegally copied software and music is sold out of China as well. This is one of the things I think that China needs to get on top of if they want to be a really big time player in the world economy. They are well on their way and if they can learn to play nice with other governments and other companies from other countries, they can easily be the biggest economy world wide.

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  4. 4
    Jimmy says:

    btw… I was googling that and came across it on a t-mo website

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  5. 5
    cypherus says:

    backbeat – you are the troll. it is bloody clear that every person on this site hates you! why have you not been banned yet!? leave go and hang yourself you worthless bab.

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  6. 6
    MadMike says:

    @Jimmy: Seems about right considering. Not like it has any bearing on the US. Most of this stuff won’t make it past the FCC anyway. Except the black market.

    A us T-mo site? or EU?

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  7. 7
    backbeat says:

    If the icon design had _any_ IP value, Apple would have shut down all the kiddies creating Windows Mobile Today screen skins based on it. Much easier to enforce and much less costly. There is no other resemblance.

    MadMikey, that diploma from Honduras State A&T is doing you proud, bubba. :)

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  8. 8
    MadMike says:

    @Cypherus: Take your own advice, Just ignore him. We have a Presidential election in a few weeks and these types of maggots come out of the woodwork.

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  9. 9
    backbeat says:

    @Kelly: The difference between icon design and UI is enormous. If there was evidence that this phone’s mfr copied Apple’s OSX for the iPhone, the only intellectual property that has value and is worth defending, I could see the justification for legal action to preserve Apple’s rights. However, HTC would likely find themselves involved in the same suit defending their designs against the charges Apple were to bring. Otherwise … Not so much.

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  10. 10

    Gotta love the Chinese…

    Posted from BGR Mobile on iPhone from: New York, NY

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  11. 11

    @backbeat
    UI includes not just the underlying architecture but also the graphical design (icons) that is presented to to the user. Do I think the uses the same codebase as the iPhone? No probably not. Has it lifted the icon design from the iPhone? of course. Is it sufficiently close enough to the iPhone cause brand confusion? I think so, yes. Apple will probably ignore this knock-off until 1)they sell enough of them or 2)they try to bring it to the US. At that point apple may intervene

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  12. 12
    backbeat says:

    @Kelly: With Apple’s attempts to cash in to Cellular China, they have much more to gain by ignoring the ankle-biter mfrs than stir the pot until that deal is done. Their deal, IMHO, will include an agreement that the government of China will enforce Apple’s interests to the extent reasonably possible.

    As I also said, HTC would likely be named prior to the government of China in any litigation concerned with graphical design. Having been through that type of litigation on both sides in the past, there is likely little chance for Apple to succeed, outside of a nonworthwhile settlement, if Apple chose to spend more in legal fees than it’s worth because the ‘harm’ brought to Apple, visavis lost revenues, due to the similar product have to be valuated. Mountain meets molehill. Mountain loses.

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  13. 13
    HillBill says:

    ChinaVision is getting “the most admired company” in China because they copied the icons. Their competitors are shamelessly cloning the entire phone.

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  14. 14
    backbeat says:

    ^ Define “cloning”. Define “entire”.

    Welcome to the real world of IP.

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  15. 15
    ness says:

    looks like the phone also has some looks on the nokia N73 ME…
    the china mobile phones in india are really cheap and there are a lot of ppl buying it
    ppl here don’t mind paying $100 and throwing the phone of after 6 months of use
    these phones even come with a tv …….value for money …. if only they improve on the build quality…….who knows what will happen

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  16. 16
    Avi24 says:

    WTF IS THIS LOL
    MADE IN CHINA
    never thought they will make this

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  17. 17
    luis says:

    are these phones ok?

    The cheap parts may not be same quality as Apple???

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