MANILA, Philippines -- While Apple is fully occupied with keeping itself a step ahead of its competitors in the smartphone market — staving off so-called iPhone killers, it could suddenly find itself being swarmed by something more familiar.

Indeed, if there is anything that could bury the iPhone, that would be itself, or something that looks like it. The way things are right now, there is no shortage of smartphones that look like the iPhone. And I am not referring to those manufactured by companies recently sued by Apple for alleged design theft.

Instead, I am talking about those Shanzhai phones – iPhone knockoffs (unsurprisingly made in China, by Chinese makers) that come with looks that resemble the real thing so much it could be unnervingly hard to tell which is which.

iPhone Lib in the U.S.

The iPhone 4 is finally free from the clutches of mobile networks, in the United States. Apple has started selling unlocked versions of the bestselling smartphone on its Web site. Identical to the iPhone 4 sold for use on AT&T's network, the unlocked iPhone 4 will not require a contract.

This will make it easier for subscribers to switch mobile networks than before. Also, American subscribers can use their iPhone 4 overseas. They just have to buy a Subscriber Identity Module card that works on local networks.

Nokia Friends Apple

Nokia and Apple have agreed to end their years-old patent dispute. As part of their settlement deal, the companies will withdraw the complaints they filed against each other with the U.S. International Trade Commission.

Under the terms of the deal, Apple will pay Nokia a one-time fee, as well as royalties. The companies, however, did not release any figures.

It must be significant, as Nokia said the one-time payment will have a positive impact on the Finnish mobile vendor's finances for the second quarter of 2011.

The deal highlights Nokia's vast technology and patent holdings. Hmm. Now, if it could only make desirable mobile phones once more.

Windows-flavored smartphones, maybe?

TV with Odor

Nope. I am not referring to a television whose owner is rather forgetful when it comes to basic hygiene.

I am talking about a two-year experiment conducted by researchers at the University of California in San Diego, in collaboration with Samsung Advanced Institute of Technology in Korea.

The researchers focused on the idea of adding to a TV a device that can generate odor. I know, it was the first thing that came to my mind too. What the heck do we need an odor-generating TV for?

Anyway, the researchers demonstrated a technology that can make TV viewers smell pizza coming from the TV while they are watching a scene depicting people eating pizza.

I wonder how would this technology impact reality-TV programs, such as "Dirty Jobs," by Mike Rowe, on Discovery Channel.

That's all for the meantime, folks. Join me again next time as we keep on watching IT.