iPhone imposters

Sprint and Samsung are trying to pass as AT&T and Apple -- but they're failing.

Ovum reports that the new Samsung Instinct is no iPhone. Per Jan Dawson, VP, US Enterprise Practice, Ovum:

"Sprint's big announcement was around the Samsung Instinct, which is a clear iPhone competitor. But the devices on display at Sprint's launch event were running beta software which was glitchy and slow, and it was clear that - though they have some nifty features - these devices are not a match for the iPhone. AT&T itself, which has exclusive rights to the iPhone in the US, had another device which mimics certain aspects of the iPhone - the LG Vu - but it is another poor match for the device on everyone's minds. Of all the things that people love about the iPhone - the design, the UI, the browser, the ease of use - none of them were matched by most of the devices on display at CTIA, even though the manufacturers of those devices have been making phones for far longer than Apple. The Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 showed the most promise of any device I saw at CTIA, but it won't be launched for several months."

Meanwhile Nokia is launching its own iPhone competitor -- internally dubbed the "Tube." Considering Nokia's mobile savvy -- think the Enpocket acquisition, Nokia's social network Mosh and its iTunes rival Ovi -- I have more faith in this "competitor" to the iPhone than I do in the others -- although are we seeing a trend here of Nokia imitating Apple...?