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Vertu's latest 'basic' luxury phone goes well with your Bentley
So you just bought a fresh Bentley, but you're worried that it clashes with the look of your basic cellphone? Never fear, as Vertu is coming to your (totally unnecessary) rescue. The luxury phone maker has unveiled its second Bentley-inspired handset, and this one is all about matching the look of your car without having to join the smartphone era. Buy the Signature for Bentley and you'll get the same carbon fiber weave and calf leather as the automaker's Mulsanne Speed sedan, but none of the technological sophistication -- you can call and text, but you won't be getting Google Maps directions to your beach home. The focus is instead on loads of creature comforts, such as buttons that sit on ruby (because they offer a nicer click, naturally) and concierge services. While this simple-yet-upscale phone will cost a steep £14,500 (about $22,800) when it arrives on September 18th, we suspect that you won't mind the astronomical price tag if you can afford a Bentley in the first place.
Lamborghini's 88 Tauri: A $6,000 phone for people with money to burn
Technology can solve the greatest problems facing humanity. But it can also reveal man's weakness for gaudy and useless icons of luxury. Enter the 88 Tauri, the latest smartphone for rich folks from Tonino Lamborghini (founded by the son of the famous Ferrucio Lamborghini, but with no relation to the car company). For $6,000 you get an Android phone that's all leather and steel, toting a 5-inch screen and a quad-core Qualcomm 801 processor. Its hardware wouldn't be out of place in devices released earlier this year, but it's still a step up from what other ridiculous luxury entries offer, like the Porsche-designed BlackBerry P'9883 or Vertu's inexplicably successful lineup. Only 1,947 units will be made, which adds yet another tempting layer of exclusivity. Expect it to be on every rich old dude's wish list when it goes on sale later this month.
This $5,000 iPhone 6 belongs on your wish list
Want to really make a statement at this year's family holiday gathering? Unwrapping this absurdly opulent iPhone 6 would certainly elicit gasps -- and maybe a few gags -- from all corners of the room. It's called the Luxury Gold iPhone 6 Swarovski Brilliance Elite, and its price tag is even more ostentatious than its overly lengthy name. It's covered in Swarovski crystals and platinum (yellow and rose gold are also available), comes in a "luxury cherry oak finish box," and doesn't include a SIM card. Oh, and it costs upwards of $5,200 for the 128GB edition. No word on whether or not this version is "bendable" or not, but I don't feel like being the one to test it out.
Vertu Aster is a luxury smartphone with 'mid-tier' price, top-tier specs
Since the launch of the Signature Touch, Vertu CEO Max Pogliani promised that "technology will be more a merging factor and not a differentiation point" for his phones. That's literally the case with the new mid-tier Aster launched today: This titanium Android device is identical to its flagship sibling device internally, just wrapped within a more contemporary and unisex design. We're looking at a 4.7-inch 1080p display, 5.1-inch 117 carat sapphire screen, 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 chipset, 13MP/2.1MP cameras (the former certified by Hasselblad), 64GB of internal storage, 2,275mAh battery, front stereo speakers, NFC, Qi wireless charging and great LTE compatibility (though no love for China, for some reason). With the specs out of the way, let's look at why this swanky phone starts from $6,900 or £4,200.
Intel introduces a snakeskin smart cuff for fancy humans
We understand: you want to get into the whole wearable tech thing, but what's holding you back is how fugly most current offerings are. That shouldn't deter you for long, as Intel has made good on its promise to make a smart-bracelet that doesn't look like an overgrown phone strapped to your wrist. It's called the MICA (My Intelligent Communication Accessory) and the notification-bracelet be available at Opening Ceremony and high-end retailer Barney's for the holiday shopping season this year, according to USA Today. Pricing isn't quite set in stone yet, but an Intel rep tells CNET that the cuff-style gadget will run under $1,000. Slightly expensive for a a wearable, sure, but not so much when compared against, say, a piece of traditional jewelry. The MICA comes in black and white (as illustrated by the image above), and will feature either Chinese pearls and lapis stones or tiger's eye and obsidian depending on which color of watersnake skin you opt for. Snazzy!
Vertu, maker of the $22,000 smartphone, is considering luxury wearables
Last month was a special one for Max Pogliani: Not only did it mark his first anniversary as Vertu's CEO, but it also saw the launch of his very own baby, the Android-powered Signature Touch. This new phone's up-to-date specs have already silenced critics; and despite the luxury market's slowdown, the Italian exec said his team's already ahead of budget in the first half of this year. Vertu's not stopping there, as it plans to expand its portfolio with an even more affordable smartphone, as well as new accessories like audio products and maybe even smart wearables.
Vertu to launch 'Bentley' collection of luxury smartphones
What happens when two British luxury brands make a baby? In the case of phone maker Vertu and automaker Bentley, the pair have just announced that they are working on "Vertu for Bentley" phones -- with the first one due in October, followed by four more models over the course of the five-year exclusive partnership (sorry, no more love for Ferrari). There's little info on what to expect here at the moment; all we know is that these special edition devices -- presumably running on Android with nice specs à la Signature Touch -- will offer exclusive Bentley content to their users, and that they "will be jointly designed by the Vertu and Bentley design teams, based on a relationship that goes far deeper than the utilisation of materials and cues on design." Jeez, get a room, you two.
This gold-plated, Putin-worshiping iPhone is the price of a used car
You can get a whole lot of gaudy decorations for your iPhone, but if you're really looking to add some Russian flair, you can't do much better than a golden portrait of Vladimir Putin. The Supremo Putin -- yes, that's what they actually named this custom iPhone -- comes from Italian luxury retailer Caviar. The 64 GB iPhone features gold plating and is, as the company has labeled it, a "Presidential accessory for people of a higher range." I don't know about that, but the phone's US$4,300 asking price will definitely limit its appeal to those who can afford to be particularly ostentatious. To top things off, the phone ships in a wooden case lined with velvet and punctuated by gold accents, because why not? Of course, underneath all the patriotic glitz, it's still an iPhone 5s, so you can use your $4,300 phone to play 99-cent App Store games. [via CNET]
This is what a $22,000 Android phone feels like
With Vertu finally offering an up-to-date luxury phone, we naturally had to check out the Signature Touch up close and personal. After all, it's not everyday that one gets to play with a $21,900 phone for free (though you can do so at any Vertu boutique, as long as you're nicely dressed). For those who haven't caught up with the announcement, we're looking at a 4.7-inch 1080p display, a 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 chip, 64GB of storage, 13MP/2.1MP cameras, a 2,275mAh battery, Qi wireless charging, NFC and a handful of LTE bands. With the exception of the battery (which, to be fair, is already much larger than those on previous models), these are all very decent for an Android 4.4 device.
Vertu's Signature Touch puts the luxury back into specs
It's been a year and a half since luxury phone maker Vertu ditched Symbian in favor of Android, thus slowly catching up with the rest of the mobile market. Its first Android phone, the Ti, fell behind the curve with its dual-core processor, tiny battery and low screen resolution; then the more affordable Constellation arrived with a larger screen but also let down by a similar chip. Somewhere along the line, though, Vertu finally decided "enough is enough." The result is this good-looking Signature Touch which, for a change, packs pretty much everything you'd expect on a modern flagship smartphone: a 2.3GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 chip, a 4.7-inch 1080p display, Cat 4 LTE radio (with bands covering many parts of the world), NFC plus Qi wireless charging.
Etihad's A380 'Residence' has a lounge, double bed and an en-suite shower
We've seen full-length beds, 32-inch TVs and even dedicated chefs on board the latest Airbus and Boeing planes, but Etihad's setting the bar far, far higher by offering an entire section of its brand-new A380 to passengers with the cash to spare. "The Residence," as the airline's calling its uber-lux three-room suite, includes 125 square feet of space spread between a living room, dining area, bedroom and private bathroom (yes, of course it has a shower). You can have the suite all to yourself, or you can share the double bed with a companion. As for the tech on board, there's a 32-inch TV in the living room, a 27-inch screen near the bed, HDMI inputs (hello PS4 at 30,000 feet), power outlets, USB ports and a top-of-the-line Panasonic entertainment system. Etihad's not talking pricing at this point, but the A380 is expected to fly between Abu Dhabi and London, New York and Sydney beginning in 2015, giving you plenty of time to save up. Update: The Residence is now available for bookings. Dates we priced in March 2015 are coming in at a whopping £25,456, or about $43,000 roundtrip for the roughly seven-hour trip between London and Abu Dhabi.
Ford's Skyliner concept is like a private jet for the road
If you had $40 million to spend on a ultra-lux vehicle, you might opt for a (pre-owned) Gulfstream V. VIPs on a tighter budget could instead pick up this decked-out Ford van, which comes complete with incredibly comfy leather seats, a Crestron home (or van) automation system, a 52-inch drop-down projection screen with Kaleidescape media server, and plenty of other goodies like maple flooring, a bar with fridge, multi-color LEDs around the roof, individual reading lights (like you'd get on that private jet) and integrated WiFi. You can even add a set of matching luggage.
Gresso's Azimuth is the dual-SIM phone the rich have been waiting for
The 1 percent have long had smartphones from Porsche and Vertu to quench their high-end thirst, but when it comes to dual-SIM handsets, the elite have had to settle for something a little more ordinary. For those in need, Gresso created Azimuth, the first dual-SIM luxury handset. Starting at $2,000, the phone is made of titanium, with both the keys and logo crafted out of 18K or white gold. Since appearances are all that matter, you're getting some pretty low-end specs under the hood, including 2GB of "internal memory," a 1.3-megapixel camera, Bluetooth 2.0 and a tiny 1,100mAh battery. To put things in perspective, Samsung's Galaxy S5 starts with 16GB of built-in storage, a 16-megapixel camera and a 2,800mAh battery. The difference being, anyone can buy an S5. Only 999 Azimuth's will be made, because no one who's anyone wants a phone 1,000 people can own.
TAG Heuer launches luxury phone with 'perpetual power reserve'
When it comes to outlandish technology on phones, it's the companies that make you go "what, them?" that are on the cutting edge. TAG Heuer (what, them?) is launching the Vertu-troubling Meridiist Infinite with something the company is calling a perpetual power reserve. In fact, the company is merely harnessing Wysips' transparent solar panel, which shoves a clear photovoltaic cell between the glass and LCD elements of the display. It'll automatically begin trickle-charging your phone as soon as the screen is exposed to natural and some artificial light with at least enough power to maintain the battery level in standby mode. The company is knocking out 1,911 units of the Meridiist Infinite, but considering that TAG charges nearly $7,000 for a FroYo device, you'd probably prefer to buy a solar panel for your actual house.
Android smartphone made of solid titanium now available for $1,800
In the past, luxury handset manufacturer Gresso has been known for dressing up iPhones with diamonds (and charging $30,000 for the deed) and producing featurephones, but now it's getting into the Android business with its limited edition Radical smartphone series. The bottom-line model, the Radical R1, goes for $1,800 and is made of grade 5 solid titanium, while you can also grab a $2,300 version, which features a logo plate adorned with your choice of white or yellow 18K gold (everything else is exactly the same, however). Not too shabby, but the downside is that they don't necessarily come with the flagship specs you might come to expect from phones that cost a third of the price: The 219g (7.73-ounce) Radicals come with Android 4.1.2, a 4.5-inch qHD screen, dual SIM support, an 8MP rear camera, 36GB internal storage and a quad-core 1.2GHz processor. Don't wait long to decide, however -- only 999 units are available. Update: we originally reported the R1's price at $1,500, where in fact it is actually $1,800.
Visualized: Inside the Vertu workshop, where phones are made by hand (video)
While not everyone's comfortable with splashing out on a fancy Vertu phone, there's no stopping us from appreciating the company's craftsmanship and engineering expertise since its Nokia days. We're talking about dealing with various luxurious materials -- pearl, ruby, sapphire, titanium, gold, alutex, alligator skin and more -- while making sure that each device is mechanically built to last. As such, it's perhaps a slight surprise that Vertu phones are actually "handmade in England." Courtesy of our buddy and CEO Max Pogliani, we got to see the process up close and personal at his 60-strong workshop in Church Crookham. (And in case your butler isn't around to read this article to you, we've also got a video tour after the break.)
Lime & Tonic brings its luxury recommendation service to the iPhone
There's no shortage of mobile concierge services, but even the wealthy may balk at paying steep fees (or buying exotic phones) solely for entertainment advice. Thankfully, Lime & Tonic has just brought its more accessible luxury recommendation engine to the iPhone. The mobile app automatically suggests up to two premium (and sometimes exclusive) activities per day based on far more refined criteria than a typical point-of-interest app. It can recommend only those posh restaurants that cook your steak rare, for example. More importantly, it's relatively cheap to try -- signing up is free and discounts are common. Lime & Tonic's service is currently limited to Amsterdam, Dubai, London, Melbourne, Prague, Rio de Janeiro and Sydney, although geography is likely no obstacle to the company's well-to-do customers. Besides, it could be the perfect showcase app for that future gold iPhone.
Truffol's iPhone 5 cases prove that luxury doesn't need to mean expensive
I've probably seen every iPhone case in the world at one point or another. For every ten or twenty low-cost plastic cases I see, I might see a single luxury case. These cases are different from the rest, often showing better workmanship, materials like wood, leather, and steel, and a higher price tag. A new entry into the crowded iPhone case market is a company named Truffol, and it appears that they're off to a good start by offering luxury cases that won't empty your wallet. The cases won't be available until July, but I'm going to try to stir up your interest by reviewing the Truffol Signature line of cases. There's the Minimalist (US$60), a beautiful stainless steel "bumper" for your iPhone 5, and the Classic ($75, seen above), which adds Italian leather for good looks and additional protection. Design Let's start with a look at the Minimalist. It truly is a minimalist case, adding only a thin stainless steel frame around the iPhone 5. It adds just .9 mm (.03 inch) to the thickness of an iPhone 5, yet protects the sides from accidental scratches or nicks. The Classic adds a leather backing to the design of the Minimalist. For those who want a bit more protection and a whole lot more Italian leather, the Classic is perfect. Both the Minimalist and Classic cases come in silver and navy, with different colored leather backing (red and navy). %Gallery-192443% Truffol notes that their manufacturing process runs the CNC-cut stainless steel through a nylon brushing process that produces a smooth and beautiful surface. Each one of the cases arrives in a pair of boxes that is worthy of an expensive watch -- one half contains the stainless steel frame and a separate mute button, while the other contains a slender steel bezel and screen protector (Minimalist) or the leather backing (Classic). Functionality One thing I always tend to get irritated about with luxury cases is the need to the manufacturers to ship tools for installation. Sure, it adds a bit of prestige to a product to add a tiny tool set that you use to lock the iPhone into a case, but it also adds unnecessary cost and (in many cases) frustration. Fortunately, neither of the Truffol Signature cases require tools for installation. In fact, of all of the luxury cases that I've reviewed, the Signature cases are about the easiest to install an iPhone 5 into. Opening one of the boxes, you remove the small mute button "cover" and place it into the corresponding hole on the iPhone 5. Then you just take the iPhone, align the mute button on it with the mute button cover on the frame, and drop it in. Next, you open up the other box where the back of the case is located. It has six small metal "fingers" on it -- you drop the back onto the back of your iPhone, then push it down towards the bottom of the iPhone to lock it into place. Now your iPhone is securely locked in the case. It was a pleasure to not have to insert tiny screws or press down on levers that felt like they were going to crack open the iPhone. A big thumbs-up to Truffol for thinking through the installation process. As for the cases, I like the look of the stainless steel. It adds protection all around the sides of the iPhone, and the workmanship is flawless. The leather back on the Classic is also well done, and incredibly thin. Fans of "naked" iPhones will love the Classic, as it adds protection without adding any bulk at all. Conclusion Truffol's entry into the luxury iPhone case market may have a positive effect for iPhone owners. Not only is the company producing high-quality cases, but it is also entering the market at a price point that may force down luxury case prices across the board. Between now and July 10, 2013, Truffol is giving away five Signature cases as part of a pre-launch celebration. You can enter by simply submitting your email address on the Truffol website. TUAW will also be giving away a both a Minimalist and a Classic Signature case later this summer. Pros Very thin and lightweight, while offering good side protection to the iPhone 5 Low price point for a luxury offering Excellent craftsmanship Easy to install or remove without tools Both Minimalist and Classic designs include a clear screen protector Cons None Who is it for? The iPhone 5 owner who wants classy protection but doesn't want to pay the exorbitant amounts charged by others in the luxury case market
B&O Play H3, H6 headphones debut stateside: danish design, premium prices
It was just last month that Bang & Olufsen unveiled the H3 and H6 headphones under its cheaper-to-enter B&0 Play brand for the EU. Today, B&O introduced these two dapper additions stateside, announcing them at its SoHo NY shop. If you'll recall, the aluminum-clad H3 in-ears pack 10.3mm drivers aided by mini bass ports, while the H6 over-ears feature 40mm drivers and a healthy heaping of leather-wrapped memory foam padding. Both have an iOS-friendly inline remote and straight 3.5mm-capped cabling. We spent some time with the H6 and we're surprised at how light it is -- which also made for an extremely comfortable first impression when it was placed around this editor's ears. The sound from the H6's drivers is crispy and light with a fairly flat voicing that's free of any noticeable sibilance. A 3.5mm input resides on each of its earcups, which allows for daisy-chaining so you can listen with a buddy. We're told the H3 intra-aurals should sound similar (we couldn't get a clean pair to jam in our ears). %Gallery-187820% Expect to pay $250 for the H3 and $400 for the H6 come July, which is a bit pricier than the likes of B&W's P3 and P5 headphones. We'll have to get back to you about whether the prices match the products, but grab a look in the gallery for now.
Kohler's $6,000 Numi Comfort Height toilet gets added connectivity, loftier bowl
We know what you're thinking: The only thing missing from my ridiculously expensive, excessively tricked-out toilet is a USB port. Well it's time you welcomed your posh posterior to the 21st century, because Kohler's just released the second edition of its now $6,000 throne: the aptly named Numi Comfort Height. In addition to the aforementioned port, which will enable quicker software updates, the outfit has enhanced the commode with a Bluetooth receiver for streaming tunes to your tush; SD card reader for importing playlists and personalized welcome greetings; an accessible battery pack for flushing in the dark; and ambient lighting so you can keep the party going when it's time to take care of business. If that wasn't enough to elevate your toilet time, Kohler's lifted the seat to a more comfortable 18 inches, which it says "makes sitting down and standing up easier for most adults." So it still doesn't come in gold and you can't pay for it in Bitcoins, but those precious currencies have hit the skids anyway, right?
