luxury

There are two things that have distinguished Mobiado among the many luxury phone makers of the world: First, it's from Canada; second, its handsets have avoided the type of excessive bling that others have so readily succumbed to in the desperate quest to draw attention to themselves.

But no one is immune to the pressures of competition, and Mobiado is taking some steps along this gilded path as well. The rather clinically named Professional 105 GCB features 24k-gold plating--right down to the screws and buttons, according to Unwired View--while its "Executive Model" is adding phones encased in … Read more

My first experience with high-end audiophile turntables was during my early hi-fi days, being mesmerized by the soothing sounds when paired with tube pre-power amplifiers and speakers. The Acutus from U.K.-based Avid comes in at the top of that hierarchy with a radical design and matching premium aesthetics. Available in polished chrome or gold-plated finish, it features an elaborate vibration-damping system as well as beefy construction.

The $24,000 kit is also bundled with a smart-looking external power supply. This has universal power compatibility, though we doubt anyone would be crazy enough to jet-set around the world lugging … Read more

Bits and pieces of information about the first Christian Dior phone have been circulating for months, but apparently it has finally made an official showing in Europe. Created by ModeLabs, the Parisian phone designer to the stars, the "My Dior" clamshell comes in two versions, both come with a 2.6-inch touch screen and a 2-megapixel camera. The difference between the two? The higher-end model is draped in crocodile skin and festooned with 640 Swarovski crystals--totaling 3,251 carats--and goes for $26,000, Newlaunches reports. The lesser sibling is a mere $5,000, for more frugal shoppers.

If you've never heard of Singulum, it may have something to do with your level of discretionary income. Chances are that most of its customers are independently wealthy.

The German company is a purveyor of ultra-luxury laptops with keyboards made of ivory and solid 24k gold, as well as "quality wood used in rich and elegant violins," according to BornRich. (That wood, by the way, comes from a single solid block.) Its innards look fairly standard, including a 15.4-inch LCD, dual-layer DVD burner, and Core 2 Duo processor.

None of this is at all practical, of … Read more

It's been a while since we'd heard from Gresso, the Russian phone maker that created a buzz back in 2006 with its unusual luxury handsets, followed by other interesting gadgets (and a clunker or two along the way).

Now it's back to doing what it does best--phones--with its new "White Diamonds Collection." There are two models in the line, with the superior of the pair--the "Royal White Diamonds" handset--regally bearing 23 keys of 18k gold topped with 2.53 carats of its eponymous stones, according to BornRich.

As with all Gresso phones, both … Read more

The rumored Christian Dior phone we mentioned the other day is apparently a reality, and there's no surprise that it's being created by ModeLabs. Not only is the boutique handset manufacturer based in Paris, but it also has become something of the phone maker to the stars, having contracted with the likes of Hummer, Tag Heuer, and Levi's to develop their own branded blowers.

Information on specs for the "My Dior" remain elusive, as does the timing of its release, except that it has "all the regular features of a cellphone--a touch screen, a … Read more

Now this is the way to go. If you're going to get into this whole game of esoteric turntables, you might as well go all the way--and that's precisely what Montegiro Lusso has done with its latest offering.

The system is made of three cones consisting of aluminum and acrylic layers, giving it the zebra-stripe look. It also has a titanium cartridge, a synchronous motor, and a Da Vinci Nobile carbon-fiber arm, according to Gizmodo. (Speaking of Da Vinci, this may be the most unusual design since we saw the "AAS-Gabriel" museum-worthy turntable last year.)

Now … Read more

It's kind of disappointing that Mobiado has resorted to the old "world's thinnest" ploy, because this handset maker has a lot more things to trumpet than its waistline. From the time we first saw its "Luminoso" model to the "Professional Camo" edition earlier this month, we've always been intrigued by its unique designs--not an easy feat in an industry when everyone is trying just about anything to get noticed.

Regardless of whether it's really "the world's thinnest luxury phone" at 10.6 millimeters thick, the 105 ZAF … Read more

So many cell phones look alike these days, but here's one that will definitely get noticed if you're an attention-starved millionaire. It didn't seem possible that luxury handset maker Mobiado could get more exclusive than its "Stealth" and "Luminoso" phones, but it's done just that with the "Professional Camo."

Like its predecessors this handset is made from aircraft aluminum and stainless-steel keys for less weight and more durability, but the Camo is noticeably different because of its hand-painted camouflage design. It looks even more unusual because the metal casing is … Read more