Luxe
Latest
Volvo's app-based Valet maintenance service launches across the US
Volvo has officially rolled out its pickup and delivery service for vehicles needing maintenance across the US. The automaker first introduced the service called Volvo Valet back in 2018 when it debuted a pilot program in California. It was the result of its Luxe acquisition in 2017, when it snapped up the premium app-based valet service's technology and engineers. Now that Valet is available throughout the US, more owners can schedule an appointment either through the Valet app or through calling a participating retailer.
Volvo buys premium app-based valet service Luxe
Volvo has just acquired the app-based valet service Luxe, which let users coordinate a driver to park, wash and refuel their car. But the Swedish automaker didn't pick it up just to convenience its customers -- it wants Luxe's technology and engineers, too.
OnePlus again uses scarcity to market its fancy, all-black 3T
OnePlus pulled off a neat (but occasionally controversial) trick with its original invitation-only selling scheme -- it allowed it to ramp up manufacturing capacity while also driving demand by playing hard-to-get. Now that the Chinese firm can make all the phones it wants, it's pulling a similar stunt to draw interest. In collaboration with Paris luxury retailer Colette, it's selling just 250 all-black, special-edition engraved OnePlus 3T models.
LG dresses its luxury smartwatch in a gold suit
LG's Watch Urbane was a pretty watch, but it was hardly going to impress the super-rich with its sub-$300 price tag. That's why the Korean company has teamed up with Reeds Jewelers to craft the LG Watch Urbane Luxe, a shinier version of the hardware for the most conspicuous of capitalists. The insides haven't changed, but the outside has been dipped in 23 karat gold, while the strap is now made of gen-u-ine alligator leather. In addition, the timepiece comes in a piano gloss lacquer case and will be produced in a limited run of 500. As the company's Chris Yie says, "Wearable devices shouldn't be thought of as an extension of one's smartphone, but as an extension of oneself." Presumably the part of yourself that really likes spending $1,200 on a $300 smartwatch.
Gresso's Grand Premiere: an Avantgarde phone with a behind-the-times OS and a $50,000 price tag
Whenever Gresso's not crafting expensive new threads for iDevices, the company makes its own featurephones from the finest materials mother nature has to offer. The new Grand Premiere is the latest from the company's Avantgarde collection and carries on this incongruous tradition. Its frame and keys are made from more than five ounces of 18-carat gold, with numbers and letters laser-etched on its sapphire crystal skin. We don't know the internals of the 12mm-thin candybar, but we do know it's running Symbian S40 and is probably packing anemic hardware like other Gressos we've seen -- you're paying for exclusivity and the shiny stuff, not benchmarking abilities, after all. Only 30 Grand Premiere's will be made at $50,000 pop, so all you conspicuous consumers with money to burn better move fast. Wouldn't want to be the only luddite at the yacht club without luxury handset, would you?
DXG gets vivacious with 1080p Twist and Luxe pocket camcorders
Surely you made a New Year's resolution, right? Right. What better way to keep tabs on yourself than to nab a new pocket camcorder? DXG has just unveiled a new duo of handheld video cameras, so we won't waste any time getting down to the nitty-gritty. The aptly-named Twist looks an awful lot like LG's now-ancient VX9400 (or pretty much any phone with embedded mobile TV support), boasting a 3.5-inch widescreen swivel display and the ability to capture footage in 720p / 1080p at 30 frames per second. It's also equipped with HDMI and USB 2.0 outputs, an SDHC card slot and a rechargeable Li-ion battery. It'll be available around a month from now in pistol-grip (1080p and 720p) and traditional football grip (720p) variations, with a price point sitting at $169.99. If that's a little too Plain Jane for ya, the 2011 Luxe Collection is bound to provide the sprucing you're after. Available in a half-dozen patterns, this pocket camcorder offers a 3-inch touchscreen, a 1080p capture mode and a one-inch thick chassis. Naturally, HDMI and USB 2.0 ports are included, but before dropping your $149.99 to $199.99, we'd recommend thinking long and hard about what hue fits your personality best. Are you more of Maui hibiscus guy, or a Riviera quilted dude? Decisions, decisions. %Gallery-112241%
Philips debuts new GoGear lineup: Raga, Spark and LUXE
Philips has trickled news about these DAPs over the past few months, but things just got real, man. The Raga is a completely nondescript flash player with 2GB or 4GB of flash storage, a tiny multi-line display, 27 hours of battery life and a $35 or $45 price tag; the Spark steps things up with a fancy 1.5-inch OLED color screen, clix-style navigation and $50 / $60 price points; while the LUXE (pictured) adds Bluetooth and style into the mix for $90 or $100. Spark and LUXE both offer Rhapsody integration and some new "FullSound" EQ tech from Philips, but the real hotness is the LUXE. The player can clip to your clothing and pump tunes as would be expected, but also syncs up with your phone to allow you to interrupt the music and answer calls without ever swapping out your headphones. We got to play around with a couple versions Philips had on display, and it really does look the part -- though we wouldn't mind it a bit slimmer. The Spark looks nice and really does offer a good amount of screen for the size -- plus we're suckers for the clix interface -- but the Raga looks like the red-headed, overweight stepchild of the lineup. LUXE will be available in January, but the other two should be hitting store shelves now. Check out our hands-on shots in the gallery below. Or don't, we're not the boss of you.%Gallery-39494%
Philips reveals Bluetooth-enabled GoGear LUXE DAP
Philips' GoGear line hasn't exactly sent us into uncontrollable fits of jubilation of late, but the latest DAP to fall under the aforesaid umbrella doesn't look half bad. Boasting a prism-like motif and integrated Bluetooth 2.1 functionality, this unit will actually pause your tunes and allow you to answer a call if your BT-enabled phone is nearby and paired up. It also features 10-hours of playback time and 100-hours in standby, and there's an FM tuner included in case you roll through 2GB of jams and just can't bear to hear any of them again. Word on the street has it that this bugger will surface in Singapore next month for around S$139 ($92), though other Asian countries should see it pop up shortly thereafter.[Via PMPToday]
