Trisha Shetty (Editor)

Meizu M8

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Manufacturer
  
Meizu

Memory
  
256 MB

Type
  
Candybar Smartphone

Meizu M8

Release date
  
April 2007; 9 years ago (2007-04)

Operating system
  
Mymobile (Based on Windows CE6.0) current version 0.9.8.22

Storage
  
Flash memory 8 or 16 GB

The Meizu M8 is a touch-controlled, multimedia and internet-enabled smartphone. It is popularly regarded as a Chinese iPhone-like phone due to its similarity to the features, UI, and physical design of the Apple iPhone. The M8 runs a version of Microsoft Windows CE 6 with a modified GUI, similar to that of the iPhone. It was created after the success of Meizu's 2 MP3/MP4 players — the M6 Mini Player and the M3 Music Card. The phone has been delayed several times due to not meeting Chinese cellular phone guidelines. Already it has drawn attention in the US, due to its similarity to iPhone, and also because of its unique features. Originally announced in two versions — an entry-level version with no camera and a standard version — only the standard model was released.

Contents

Announcement dates

CEO Jack Wong had announced the Meizu M8 four days after the announcement of the iPhone as a direct competitor. The product was soon set for an October / November release. The M8 was released for public testing on April, 2007 in Shenzhen and Guangzhou, drawing positive reviews.

Specifications

Some expected specifications of the M8 (not final):

  • Dimensions: 108 mm × 59 mm × 12 mm (H × W × T)
  • Processor: Samsung ARM11 667 MHz CPU
  • Display: 3.4-inch 16600K (OS 65536 colors), 720 × 480 pixel resolution, LTPS TFT LCD, with multi touch (2 points)
  • PC Interface: USB 2.0 Ultra Fast Data Transfer
  • Flash Memory: 8 or 16 GB of built-in basic Memory
  • Operating System: Windows CE for Meizu M8 (Based on Windows CE6.0) (Mymobile)
  • Video Playback: AVI, MP4, RM, RMVB, 3GP, MOV, ASF, WMV, MPEG, MKV, FLV, MPEG-4/H.263/H.264 at 30FPS
  • Camera: 3.2 MP camera on back. Supports auto-focus, no flash.
  • Battery: Removable 1200 mAh Li-ion

    • Support for

  • GSM (850,900,1800, 1900 MHz), GPRS, EDGE, WiFi

    • Additional features

  • Light sensor allowing the phone to automatically adjust screen brightness in accordance to the lighting in the environment.
  • Tilt and movement recognizing sensor that will allow it to auto-adjust screen orientation in accordance to tilting. It can also recognize movements (i.e. shaking), a feature which can be used for games.
  • Proximity sensor for calling

    • CeBIT Appearance

    Meizu appeared at CeBIT on March 4, 2008 with a non-functional, plastic prototype of the M8 able to display three screenshots of the UI, and a development board running partially working UI with most phone functions. No fully working unit was shown though.

    On the second day of the exhibition, March 5, German police initiated by Sisvel raided 51 booths including Meizu; where a newly developed MP3 player was thought to infringe a Fraunhofer Society patent and confiscated.

    Production Halt

    On October 9, 2010, it was reported that Meizu had shut down production of the M8 due to pressure from the Intellectual Property Offices and Apple Inc. because of its close similarities to the iPhone. Apple also was looking to ban all sales of the M8 as well, which some media outlets have speculated could bankrupt the company due to losses from unsold inventory, but no official word on this has been heard.

    References

    Meizu M8 Wikipedia
    (Text) CC BY-SA