Send in the Clones!


Cheap MP3 players and related devices now abound. But I am most fascinated with the ones that try to capture the look of the popular iPod products. Here are a couple which I stumbled into at the Compex computer stalls, which is perhaps one of the more reassuring sources of generic digital devices.

First out the bat were the iPod shuffle clones, which is probably the easiest hat trick to pull because the shuffle doesn’t come with a screen, which is always an added cost.

Among the cheapest out there was this unit from a company called Chronos, named (unfortunately, perhaps) the Musica. It doesn’t help in its branding consistency that while the unit itself is labeled Musica, the packaging just says Music.

At any rate, this tiny MP3 player packs 256MB and features shuffle-like controls, as well as complementary basic earphones. All for just PhP 2,500.



Now if you want a color screen with your player, then this unit might be more your style. It was bound to happen sooner or later, and here it is… the iPod nano clone. And I gotta admit that, from a distance, it can fool you into thinking that it’s a real-deal nano. That is, until you realize that the screen’s dimensions are kind’a off.

This extremely generic media player (it doesn’t even have a brand… just “MP4 Player”… but I suspect that it comes from the same Chronos-thingy company) promises to play “MP1, MP2, MP3, MP4″ as well as WMA, WMV, ASF, WAV, and other media files. Yes it plays videos too. And just like a nano, it has a built-in USB-rechargeable battery.

But wait, it actually does more than a nano! Aside from video playback, it also comes with an FM tuner as well as voice recording capability! The downside? It has just 256MB, which sucks if you plan to make this into a real portable video player. The price: PhP 4,000.



So what’s next on the clone wars? I have yet to see a clone of a standard iPod. But then it seems that cloners only bother cloning solid-state devices. And since the iPod comes with a hard drive, this may be too much of a bother for cloners to copy since they have to deal with third-party HD suppliers.

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April 19th, 2006
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Comment Number:
1
Written by:
vemsan
Posted on:
4/21/2006 at 7:24 am

how about a Blackberry clone?! hehe

Comment Number:
2
Written by:
alvinp
Posted on:
4/24/2006 at 1:33 pm

how about a review of these low-cost “clones” on your mag? :-)

Comment Number:
3
Written by:
Bernie Janda
Posted on:
4/25/2006 at 9:12 am

We should qualify “clones” from “rip-offs”. These are blatant rip-offs of the original and the so-called “clones” are those that does not simply copy the design of the original but tries to create their own design (such as Creative, Astone, etc.).

Am I making sense here?

Comment Number:
4
Written by:
Casey
Posted on:
4/25/2006 at 3:00 pm

hahahaha.. and i though i only saw these in Bangkok and China! I still wouldnt get one if i was the only one without a portable digital music player.

Comment Number:
5
Written by:
Naps Austria
Posted on:
5/12/2006 at 7:43 am

they may be considered clones but to categorised them as rip-off may be a bit to harsh. her’s my point, if these small companies are capable of producing the same gadget at almost half the price of the original, plus add the fact that they play more formats… shouldn’t the main stream gadgets be considered rip-offs instead… just wondering?

it will because of these imitations that the price of the real thing will drop down to the delight of the consumers. as for me, as long as it works to my expectations, i’ll go for it! considering the fact that i’d play it hidden in my shirt or jacket, no one will ever know… i have a genuine iPod but still i keep it hidden… if only these imitations would be available in UK, i would’ve bought them instead… cheers mate!

Comment Number:
6
Written by:
mark_ace10
Posted on:
6/23/2006 at 12:11 am

These are no ordinary clones… in fact they do more much better than the original i-pod nano’s “i think”… yes maybe but the quality may still be reconsidered “how long does this device may deliver its potential…?” it may break much sooner bcoz its only a clone, right?… or the materials on this device are not that preety tough like our good ol’ pal nano i-pods in the rich market… but the bottom line its cheap and good for the tipical practical not rich guy in the block… amen!