Oh! Look! It's an iPed!

[SFSxOI]

I wonder if they got a license from Apple to steal their IP technology? A lawsuit, or other legal action, could force an injunction or order which would prevent the clone (if thats what it really is) from being allowed for import to countries to which such an injunction or order applies.

Devices like these have been available in China for quite a long while, it looks like they have just altered the appearance of some to make them look more like the iPad, I doubt they've got any Apple DNA in them. Search YouTube for 'Smart Q7' for example and see how old the reviews are.

Well, Apple has shown a tendancy to take legal action on "similar function" as well, not just an exact clone. Even the apperance could be considered as IP, Apple has taken action before based on "apperance and similar function". (Similar to what an Apple specific thing is supposed to do.) That similar function thing came up in the PsyStar action. Apple at one point claimed the PsyStar system was so similar in function that its existance was IP infringment, at that time OS-X was sold with the clone, but it was not also for the OS-X because even after the OS-X was removed from the picture by PsyStar, Apple persisted in claiming the clone machine its self was similar enough with the Apple product that it was still IP infringment - the court agreed on that point as well. In the end PsyStar ended up on the wrong end of a court ruling that it basically could not sell its systems as long as they were able to have OS-X installed on them or supplied with them. This forced PsyStar into bankruptcy. PsyStar claims to day that the reason deals with the OS-X, which it did so thats true, but they don't tell you they can't sell their physical systems either as long as OS-X is able to be installed on them.

[Foz]

Actually, I think it's a Cunning But Fatally Flawed Plan by Apple.

Who maintains the majority market share of home PC's? The "IT" friend/relative.
Who is always the IT envy of their friends/relatives? The "IT" friend/relative.
Who will want to tinker with the iPhone/iPad/iPet/iPerv? The "IT" friend/relative.

Therefore: If the "IT" friend/relative has an iP* and to tinker with it requires an Apple computer (which it does), then that means that the friends/relatives will (eventually) also be brought up to owning an iP* and/or an Apple computer just to copy the "IT" guy.

A very cunning plan.

Of course, they have missed the point that when friends/relatives ask for a new/upgraded computer, they want it done on a shoe string, preferably free ("but you don't use that any more - can I have it?") and a new shiny apple computer would cost a little too much for most people's pockets. I certainly don't have £500 lying around waiting for me to spend it on the latest cheapest Mac Mini.

A very cunning, but fatally flawed plan.

[GWarner]

That's 24% and 21% of 'smart-phones' not 'mobile devices', Apples market share of 'mobile devices' is around 2.7%.

Thanks for the clarification, I've fixed my original message.

I think you're probably right about how Apples place in the market will eventually shake down.

It's happened once already with the Macintosh and Apple is just blind enough to not learn from past mistakes and let it happen all over again. This time however, I don't think Microsoft or anyone else will be standing by to bail them out.

Who maintains the majority market share of home PC's? The "IT" friend/relative.
Who is always the IT envy of their friends/relatives? The "IT" friend/relative.
Who will want to tinker with the iPhone/iPad/iPet/iPerv? The "IT" friend/relative.

That really depends on the "IT" person. I'm the "IT" friend/relative among my friends and family and I don't own or want anything made by Apple plus I know quite a few other "IT" people that feel like I do about Apple, they don't own or want anything made by them. I do also know a few "IT" people that are Apple fans. Based on all the "IT" people I know, the non-Apple "IT" people out number the Apple "IT" people by a fair margin.

[PureLust]

It looks like, that there comes light into the dark mystery around this "iPed" (or "APad").

See at Position"04:03" in THIS VIDEO.

It's a VIA ARM9 based Tablet with Android 1.6, 256 MB Ram and a 7" Display with 800 x 480 Pixel, shown by VIA on the Computex in Taipeh (Taiwan) which will have a target price around 100€.

[utopiomania]

I like these chinapads and will probably order this one

Seems to have a separate video processor, check out the videos on youtube or on the page I linked to.

I'll never buy anything from Apple, I hate the way the try to control everything.

[SFSxOI]

http://www.quibids.com

You can get a 16 GB iPad for $50.00 in aution supposedly, don't know how "factual" the site is. A friend told me you can get an iPad in auction there for $23.00. Don't know how reliable tho.

[GWarner]

I'd be cautious, although I haven't read the full text of it, I've seen several consumer warnings and alters about these iPads being auctioned at ridiculously low prices. I'll bet it's some sort of scam where you either don't get anything for your money or you get a "box of rocks".

If I wanted one I'd just pay up and buy it from an authorized Apple dealer. I may end up paying more for it but at least I'll know I getting a real, functioning iPad for my money.

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.

Looking into it further it appears that the scam is they take a picture of an iPad box and display it in the acution knowing that most people will assume that the bux has an iPad and it's accessories and documentation in it. The reality is the box is an empty display shelf box and that is what you are bidding on and will get if you win.

[PureLust]

Looking into it further it appears that the scam is they take a picture of an iPad box and display it in the acution knowing that most people will assume that the bux has an iPad and it's accessories and documentation in it. The reality is the box is an empty display shelf box and that is what you are bidding on and will get if you win.

This is already common practice, as you might know:
- Woman Pays Over $600 For Photo of Xbox 360
- Man Pays $800 for Empty Xbox 360 Box on eBay

[GWarner]

I wonder how people that pull that kind of crap can sleep at night knowing what they've done. I know it would bug the hell out of me if I tried it.