Mobiado knocks on wood with $1,900 Professional EM

Somewhere out there, there's someone who thinks electronic gear only looks good if it's encased in wood. So, every now and then, some designer comes up with a cheesy looking wood-covered keyboard, monitor or cellphone. The latest is the Mobiado Professional EM, a wood-clad upgrade of their earlier Nokia-based phone that includes a 1.3 megapixel camera, music player, FM radio and Bluetooth. We have to admit, compared to some of the other wooden gear we've seen, it's not bad looking. But, still, at $1,900, you're paying an awfully high premium for that dead-tree bling.

[Gus Jenkins @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Looks like an old TV remote from the late 70's or early 80's

[Jason @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Draw in the old folks with the wood, push them away with painfully tiny metal buttons.

I wouldn't call the person who did this a designer.. a carpenter maybe.

[fnj @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

"I wouldn't call the person who did this a designer.. a carpenter maybe."

You mean like Jesus?

Sorry, couldn't resist. The phone looks stupid.

[Hirudin @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

I am a comment spammer

[TheCheeks @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

jesus, that is the ugliest phone ever. i wouldnt even take it for free.

[Nick @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

It looks like a pre-cold war concept of "advanced technology that everyone will use"....think early James Bond stuff.

[Daze @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

I like it! It's sooo kitsch :D

[Stevez @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Apparently they sold tons of the metal ones for $1200...and decided to cash in...so here we have the $1900 wodden ones.
Since when is making ugly wooden cases considered luxury???

[Jazzay @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

a cellphone that matches my desk! w00t!

[Steven Romej @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

My in-laws, bless them, don't enjoy the modern TVs. They've managed to hold on to a 70's era wood console TV. The screen is less than 19" but the TV itself is comparable to a modern-day 52". LOLZ OMG.

[boodoowaa @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Don't Rolls Royce and Bentleys have wooden interiors? Aren't they luxury? Personally, I like it.

[Jazzay @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

caddilacs, mercades, audi, lots of cars have wooden interior, mine has eucalyptis and it looks great, i love the look and feel of wood, buttons are strage, but i dont know what else they could do, how about a RAZR with beech wood and keep the aluminum keypad like it is, just have wood border/accent, NOW its worth buying :)

[Chino Hollanda @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Damn..... Those guy's make some ugly phones (well that's my opinion)

If you spend cash why don't get the Vertu!

[lupinstel @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Does it come with finger cots to cover up your bruised fingertips from those pokey buttons?

[boodoowaa @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Just curious, has anyone here seen and touched a mobiado or vertu, I'm wondering how these phones feel like and how they compare to each other.

[Chino Hollanda @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

To #15,

Well I am currently working in Hong Kong and they sell those Vertu's everywhere here.

So one day i went to this luxious department store and played with the Vertu.

Thing is heavy! but very sexy

I also had the expensive one in my hand that one is even heavyier than the one with the leather on the side.

the menu's are ok a bit like nokia but still very nice but way too expensive!

[benhc911 @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

actually those buttons are comfortable, the phone is 12 inches wide. *looks left, then right, then runs away*

[yem @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

Now you, too, can pay an exorbitantly inflated price for a re-skinned Nokia 6230i! Whoever pays that much for a $250 cell phone is a freakin moron...

[Nga @ Dec 19th 2005 1:36AM]

We want to more detail about Mobiado.
Please sent us price list.
If price is resonable in Vietnam market we shall place an order in large quantity.