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iPhone clone sports a full keyboard
Gadget Types - Phones
Written by Song Jiang   
Tuesday, 13 October 2009 18:41

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Here's a cool and ingenious way to make typing on your Chinese iFauxne a lot easier, simply add a wee portable keyboard. This specialized version of the popular iPhone clone features a full QWERTY nestled away in a compact leather wallet which also helps to keep it safe.

One of the problems with most of today's smart phones is that if you want to use the as a true Internet device, e.g. surf the net and do email, you might find that the on-screen keyboard is a true test of your patience. Sure, most iPhone lovers will swear that you eventually get used to using a cramped narrow keyboard that gives no tactile response but hey, these people would get used to using their heads to open doors if they came in black and sported an Apple logo.

Known as the DaPeng T2000 Wi-Fi TV Cellphone, the actual phone itself retails for around 150USD through Western retail channels, less on the streets of Shenxhen, and is in fact very similar to a host of iPhone clones floating around the markets of China with specs that measure up fairly well against any of them. Dual SIM, GPRS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth etc on a device that is slightly thicker and shorter than the Apple original, featuring a slightly smaller touch screen. The OS is the standard Apple OS clone that you've seen on most of them. What makes it stand out is of course the keyboard/wallet.

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Western Opportunity Analysis:

Once again the shanzhai guys are offering an alternative from the norm. They've taken a popular product, had a good long think about how it could be improved, and developed a new version along those principles. I'm not absolutely sold on just how responsive the keyboard's keys are because I've never used one, but it could well be a winner compared to on-screen stabbing.

Conclusions:

Smart phone buyers in Mainland China have so much more choice than their Western counterparts. I mean we've covered a range of them on this site, including big ones, thin ones, compact versions and themed versions. We can now add to that list a hardware keyboard/wallet style version. First time buyers who have no prior experience of an onscreen keyboard might well opt for a hardware version, which could appear preferable to the pains of getting used to stabbing your finger at a screen when writing emails etc.

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Comments  

 
0 # 2009-10-14 20:16
Why is that most of these clones do not have 3G?
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0 # 2009-10-15 09:30
Quoting ctitanic:
Why is that most of these clones do not have 3G?


I think the clone phones are targeted at the mainland Chinese audience, and the 3G coverage in China is not that stable, or widespread.

Also since the clones are cheap, perhaps those type of consumers are also too cheap to pay for data plans.
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0 # 2009-10-23 09:17
Hi I have actually brought this phone & It works fine, except I can't get the internett set up as its not a common brand.(as per my phone service provider) Do you have any suggestions as to how I can get the internett loaded? The instruction manual only tells you what each category is about but no step by step instructions on how to set up?
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0 # 2009-10-23 10:24
Quoting Reetz:
Hi I have actually brought this phone & It works fine, except I can't get the internett set up as its not a common brand.(as per my phone service provider) Do you have any suggestions as to how I can get the internett loaded? The instruction manual only tells you what each category is about but no step by step instructions on how to set up?


Wi Fi set up? No idea... but you might try searching the internet for Windows CE Wi Fi set up, and try to check you settings to see what version of Win CE its running.
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0 # 2009-10-23 10:43
Quoting Tai-Pan:
Quoting Reetz:
Hi I have actually brought this phone & It works fine, except I can't get the internett set up as its not a common brand.(as per my phone service provider) Do you have any suggestions as to how I can get the internett loaded? The instruction manual only tells you what each category is about but no step by step instructions on how to set up?


Wi Fi set up? No idea... but you might try searching the internet for Windows CE Wi Fi set up, and try to check you settings to see what version of Win CE its running.

This phone doesnt have windows on it? Or do I need to set Windows up on it?
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0 # 2009-10-23 17:46
Its definitely already running windows ce
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0 # 2009-10-28 09:55
Can you help me please with setting up windows on my phone, or where can i find this?
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0 # Nick Close 2010-01-21 05:47
Quote:
Hi I have actually brought this phone & It works fine, except I can't get the internett set up as its not a common brand.(as per my phone service provider) Do you have any suggestions as to how I can get the internett loaded? The instruction manual only tells you what each category is about but no step by step instructions on how to set up?


When I first got this phone, I couldn,t make calls,send texts or connect to to the net.

You need to go to Samsungs website, search for Tocca & then get the settings sent to your phone by giving your number & mobile provider. once you've done this you will receive a text msg with installation details for the correct settings. Once these settings have been installed your phone should be fully set up for mobile roaming, but remember if you do not get free internet from your provider you will be charged whenever you connect to the web.

Haven't worked out how to connect wirelessly as it won't allow me to enter the full WEP key.

hope this helps you
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0 # AC2SURF 2009-11-09 10:22
i also have this phone and cant get on the internet, the os is apple clone i think, but my provider does not know the brand i am with virgin mobile
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+1 # Tai-Pan 2009-11-09 10:30
Quoting AC2SURF:
i also have this phone and cant get on the internet, the os is apple clone i think, but my provider does not know the brand i am with virgin mobile


Almost all the shanzhai phones are based around Windows CE running on a Mediatek platform. So.. even if the user interface on top of that is designed to look like an Apple one its still Win CE underneath. Search online for instruction on how to connect to the internet over wince and you should be ok. WiFi and 3G and don't forget you usually need to identify your APN setting for 3G to work.

Here's a forum thread for virgin mobile APN settings:

forums.whirlpool.net.au/.../...
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0 # AC2SURF 2009-11-12 12:55
M8 you are the bomb ty ty ty, i was given virginweb not virginwap, virginwap works perfect on my dapeng t2000, folks you must check out this phone its not like the others, go to wap, setings, new profile, i put virginwap in profile name, and also in data account down the same page, and it works yay
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0 # insert 2009-11-09 14:10
Look for data accounts or data setup and create a new internet profile from there.
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0 # Sharon 2009-11-09 10:54
does anyone have an idea as to where to find an actual user manual for the T2000? the tiny one that came with the phone is absolutely useless! i've been searching for a day and a half and at this point i'm so frustrated that i might just return the phone! any help would be greatly appreciated!
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0 # AC2SURF 2009-11-12 12:55
M8 you are the bomb ty ty ty, i was given virginweb not virginwap, virginwap works perfect on my dapeng t2000, folks you must check out this phone its not like the others, go to wap, setings, new profile, i put virginwap in profile name, and also in data account down the same page, and it works yay
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0 # dutch 2009-11-19 05:15
can anybody tel me if this phone works wit a 8 gigs memory card pls.
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0 # Unfaphaph 2009-11-19 19:44
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0 # michell solari 2010-01-13 23:25
HI!
i need helo to set up my chinese cellphone T2000, i want to set up the IP-TALK in this cellphone but i don't know how to start... is any help?

please writte me to michellsolari@h otmail.com

Thanks a lot!
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