luxury

Having created such specimens as the $310,000 "Signature Cobra," it's not surprising that Vertu is a brand that isn't afraid to celebrate itself. So even though it's already released one special line marking its 10th anniversary this year, there's nothing to stop them from doing one more.

To that end, the luxury handset maker has unveiled its "Rococo Constellation," also in honor of its first decade, following the "Monogram Constellation" that did the same thing. As indicated by its name, the new collection was inspired by the French design … Read more

Just one look at this phone explains why people came up with phrases like "do it right or don't do it at all." As obnoxious as many ultra-blinged handsets may be, most leave little doubt upon closer inspection that qualtiy materials were used in their construction. This "Louis V2" phone, however, looks like something that might be given away for free with a bottle of men's cologne at a department store. The unimpressive specs listed on TechFresh match its design, but that's what you get for a "luxury" phone that goes … Read more

Toshiba may not be the best-known manufacturer of mobile phones, but it certainly keeps things interesting. When it's not making Transformer wannabes, it's churning out peculiar combo devices with strange circular dial pads.

So it really should come as little surprise that its latest offering is anything but conventional either. The "Cosmic Shiner" is a luxury handset with diamond accents presented in a handmade lacquer box, but that's not the unusual aspect of this phone: "Buyers will be required to purchase the April issue of Seven Hills magazine to get the required unique ID … Read more

As Vertu celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, the luxury handset maker is commemorating its first decade with another special edition (surprise, surprise). This time it's the "Monogram Constellation" collection, though there's apparently no astronomical connection other than price. But something tells us that Vertu consumers aren't terribly concerned with such details.

With the latest line, the phone maker extraordinaire continues its leather kick, which it has already adopted for occasions ranging from the picnic to the race track. Given that this is Vertu, of course, it's no ordinary cowhide treatment: Each piece takes … Read more

If we hadn't just ruined it in the title, we could have made a snappy joke out of the Denon AVP/POA-A1HD. "What has two boxes, takes two people to lift and costs as much as a car?" But the AVP/POA-A1HD is no joke--it's Denon's outrageously high-end home theater system, and we really want one.

The A1HD comes in two exceptionally substantial components. The first is simply a pre-amp that costs 5,000 pounds, or about $10,025, and the second part is a a power-amp that goes for the same amount. The pre-amp … Read more

As every laptop maker tries to outdo each other in colors, patterns, and even textures, MSI has decided to zig where the rest are zagging: It's going back to basic white.

The Taiwanese company today is officially introducing its "PR200 Crystal Collection," a luxury laptop most notable for its pearl-white finish and 120 crystals encircling the MSI logo. This blanco edition appears to complete the entire spectrum for MSI, which debuted a black version more than a year ago before going through various other colors and finishes. Inside, it features a 12.1-inch display, an Intel Core … Read more

If you've ever wondered how a media room can run up a $300,000 tab, try this on for starters: a Blu-ray Disc player that goes for $17,000.

Switzerland-based Goldmund has upgraded its "Eidos 20" media player with the victorious video format, claiming that it's the first Blu-ray player from a high-end audio-video equipment maker. As with all such products, one can't help but wonder how the exorbitant price can be justified, though Goldmund claims "the finest AS-Curator power supply circuit and magnetic damping for ultimate sound and video reproduction with least amount … Read more

Last year luxury handset maker Bellperre made some news with the audacious claim that it would produce mobile phones without using a single plastic part (heresy). And now it's come out with a new line that focuses on its exterior as well.

So what is it like to make a product without synthetic polymers? Try crocodile, shark, and buffalo skin, combined with aircraft aluminum, premium hardwoods, and 18k rose gold. Those are a few of the options offered in the European company's latest models, which come in more than 200 colors, according to Newlaunches. Handmade in the Netherlands, … Read more

It's probably just coincidence, but the timing of this offering from luxury phone maker Vertu is interesting. Just yesterday we noted the resemblance between its handsets and those of rival Obsession, and today that perception was reinforced by Vertu's new "Signature Yellow & White Diamonds" model.

True to form, the company spared little expense in creating this handmade tart, embedding 2.4 carats of yellow diamonds another 4.4 carats of white diamonds in its 18k gold case, according to Sybarites. Even the battery cover is adorned with yellow diamond studs.

Not surprisingly, this is yet … Read more