LuxPro, a Taiwan-based maker of digital audio products, has introduced what can only be described as a blatant rip-off of Apple's iPod shuffle. LuxPro's "Super shuffle," which is being shown this week at the CeBIT conference in Germany, is nearly identical to the iPod shuffle in every way--from its form factor to its name and advertising.

Made from the same white plastic and featuring the same control pad as the iPod shuffle, the Super shuffle is also the exact length (3.3") and width (0.99") as the iPod shuffle. The flash memory-based Super shuffle is a little thicker (0.38") than the iPod shuffle (0.33"), but offers an FM tuner and voice recorder, which the Apple device lacks.

LuxPro's music player weighs in at the same as the iPod (.78 ounce), offers the same USB 2.0 connectivity and charging, and even copies the iPod shuffle's backside slider switch and battery light indicator. The Super shuffle boasts two two slider switches, apparently one is needed for general use and one is needed for the extra FM and recording features. The LuxPro product offers MP3, WAV, and WMA support.

Like the iPod shuffle, the Super shuffle is offered only in 512MB and 1GB sizes, and works with both Windows and Mac OS X. Pricing and availability were not immediately available. However, German iPod site iPodLife has provided iPodlounge with a handful of photos of the device and its advertising at CeBIT, which show that LuxPro is not only cloning Apple's low-cost player, but is also replicating its well-known silhouette ads.

http://www.ipodlounge.com/ipodnews_comment...id=6654_0_7_0_M

how do they expect to get away with selling that ? even those ads are so similiar it's not funny. :unsure:

I'm very happy with my iPod shuffle and having an FM tuner would be kinda useless for me, as when I use to use my MD player on the train, the reception was terrible.

i want one!

Why do they use the same earphones as Apple? This thing is practically IDENTICAL. What's with that?

it called "we cant make a product this good on our own so we steal it from the market leader"

it happens over and over but apple wont stand for this.
we know how much apple protect product deisgn so its a matter of time before they take legal action

buying one of them is supporting plagerism and is a kick in the balls to apple who spent much longer developing it then the company who stole it did

You have a good point!

But just think how much their going to be worth say in 10 years?

Nothing

a clone wont be worth jack ever

Could be a hoax.... It's way too similar.

EDIT: Nope, it aint:

www.luxpro-corp.com/e_575d.htm

They have shown them at the CeBIT conference in Germany so no its not a hoax.

I'm not surprised. In my journeys all through Asia I've seen clones of everything. So for them to copy the Shuffle to make an easy buck is just another instance.

The point remains though it may look like a Shuffle, but how long will it work for before it's cactus and you wish you had of bought the original?

I stand corrected. Just posted a link for the luxpro site.

Looking back at the illicit mac clones from the late 80s/early 90s, probably more than the originals of the era. Rarity and reputation & all that.

dana

It looks dodgy too ...

Get em while you can boys, because Apple Legal will surely be filling suit sometime soon.