modelabs

ModeLabs is perhaps best known for designing phones branded by a diverse array of international retailers, including Christian Dior, Hummer, Tag Heuer, and Levi's. But like many phone manufacturers, it has fallen under the spell of trying to tout the smallest of something or another.

In this case, it has partnered with Bluetrek to offer the "Metal" headset, a Bluetooth gadget that is claimed to be the world's thinnest at just 0.16 inches thick, according to Gizmodo. Despite its tiny stature, the companies say the Europe-bound headset will still get five hours of talk time … 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

Paris-based phone designer extraordinaire ModeLabs continues to make its mark on the mobile landscape in Europe, with diverse handsets ranging from an MTV-branded slider to Tag Heuer's "Meridiist," with varying degrees of success.

Its latest offering is a new Levi's handset--not the dubious red tag version seen recently--to be marketed exclusively by French telecom Orange. Unlike the original steel-case model, the new version is a slider that claims to be the first mobile phone with a design that "combines a metal and soft touch finish," according to Gadgetizer (PDF). What does that mean? Who … Read more

It's been a busy day for Paris-based ModeLabs. Only a few hours ago we posted an item on a slider phone it made for MTV, and now there's an update about its project with Tag Heuer. The buzz around the co-branded phone was renewed last week when rumored photos were posted on various blogs, though Tag Heuer certainly has been in no great rush to bring the handset to market.

Now the first official press photos of the "Meridiist" have been released, according to Engadget. The specs are the same as previously mentioned and, unfortunately, so … Read more

MTV is continuing to push its brand onto gadgets, though it seems to be more interested in Europe than anywhere else. A couple of weeks ago its logo showed up in an X-ray on a "multi-room box" distributed by U.K.-based Sky TV, and now it's coming out with a branded mobile phone in France.

The red 3G slider, from handset designer ModeLabs, has a 2.2-inch display, a 2-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, and, of course, an MP3 player, according to Pocket-lint. Aside from the obvious logo, it offers exclusive access to MTV content, as well as … Read more

Every once in a long while, Crave actually has something good to say about the evolution of a product. We're pleased (and surprised) to say that watch phones, while hardly what you'd call wildly popular, have at least made some tangible progress in their designs as they no longer all look like GPS devices awkwardly strapped to the wrist.

To date, however, many of these models have come from manufacturers of dubious origin. But luxury watchmaker Tag Heuer is ready to change all that with its first line of mobile phones from ModeLabs Group, the Paris-based design house … Read more

Levi Strauss wants consumers to dial 501, not just wear it. Levi Strauss Europe will be launching a line of mobile phones and accessories based on the iconic jeans brand. The line, which will be available in Europe in 2007, will incorporate the jean company's signature denim and rivets, according to the company.

Levi signed an exclusive agreement with ModeLabs Group, which will manufacture and distribute the Levi's brand mobile products in Europe, ModeLabs Group CEO Stephane Bohbot said in a statement.

As cell phones become just as much a fashion accessory as a communication device, more designers … Read more