Cheap 'Apple Watch' copies on sale via Alibaba site
Smartwatches that mirror the look of the Apple Watch's hardware and software are being advertised on China's most popular online shopping service.
Alibaba's Taobao site lists devices branded the AW08 and the iWatch.They both feature "digital crown" dials on their sides, similar-styled straps and identical user interface graphics to Apple's forthcoming wearable.
However, their listings reveal they run on Google's Android platform rather than Apple's Watch OS.
Other giveaways that the watches are not the iPhone's official "companion" include:
They are being offered for about 250 yuan ($40; £26.50) - a fraction of the 2,588 yuan that Apple will charge for its smartwatch in China when it goes on sale next month
They do not feature the same heart-monitoring sensors on their rear - although this is not always made clear
They boast longer battery life
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| This model - sold on Taobao - features Apple graphics on its screen, but makes clear in its text it is not the official Apple Watch |
Taboao acts as a showcase for third-party sellers - much like eBay and Amazon's Marketplace service - and some vendors have taken pains to make clear that the devices they are selling are not Apple's own technology.
One listing, which was highlighted by the Financial Times, even used the slogan: "Knockoff Apple watches have hit the market!"
Taobao's owner said it did, however, remove deceptive ads.
"Alibaba Group is dedicated to the fight against counterfeits," a spokeswoman for the company told the BBC.
"We work closely with our government partners, brands and industry associations to tackle this issue at its source.
"We also utilise technology like data mining and big data to scrub our platforms of counterfeits."
source: www.bbc.com
