The cell phone costs $1,275. In love yet?

It's not an Apple phone, but Bang & Olufsen's Serene cell phone seems to have embraced some very iPoddish design goals.
The New York Times

The story "The cell phone costs $1,275. In love yet?" published October 28, 2006 at 6:00 AM is no longer available on CNET News.

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[trackpedia]

Washing machine proof?

For 1300, I hope so, check out these people trying to fix theirs after an incident with a washing machine:

<a class="jive-link-external" href="http://www.devwebsphere.com/devwebsphere/2005/06/washing_machine.html" target="_newWindow">http://www.devwebsphere.com/devwebsphere/2005/06/washing_machine.html</a>

[csven]

B&O Came First

"<i>It's not an Apple phone, but in many ways, Bang &#38; Olufsen seems to have embraced some very iPoddish design goals: unconventional materials; a focus on simplicity, elegance and pleasure; and a pure, minimalist, convention-shaking design.</i>"

Funny comment considering that B&#38;O's design style pre-dates the iPod (and they had the click wheel back in 1998 - long before the iPod).

[pilaa]

Somebody must be smoking something over there!

You have got to be kidding! Less is More??? This phone seems sub-par at best and I can afford to buy one...but why would I ever?? There is nothing compelling about any of the features that makes me want to jump out of my seat and run out and buy one of these... (A camera mounted sideways that takes 640 X 480 res pics??, no multimedia, no speakerphone, no downloads??? Please!)

To me this article is an insult to Apple to say that these guys actually took design ideas from the iPod. You'd have to be smoking something to even consider this ludicrous product!

[mcobian]

Silly you...

Like the story says, this phone is designed for wealthy people who
pay for things that are just "different", because they can afford to,
and see it as a toy, not a smart phone that will help us do
something. Its cool, they have the money? yep yep, so they but it,
no biggie, no pain in the wallet, a cool toy, thats it. So don't freak
out because you think B&#38;O expects a lot of people to run and buy
this mobile.

[mcobian]

Silly you...

Like the story says, this phone is designed for wealthy people
who pay for things that are just "different", because they can
afford to, and see it as a toy, not a smart phone that will help us
do something. Its cool, they have the money? yep yep, so they
but it, no biggie, no pain in the wallet, a cool toy, thats it. So
don't freak out because you think B&#38;O expects a lot of people to
run and buy this mobile.

I have their A8 headphones, they they sound INCREDIBLE? Not
for $169, but they are confortable, and are made out of nice
aluminum.

[mfrost]

Not the first motorized flip phone

I can't remember the model, but a colleague of mine had a motorised flip phone from Samsung back in 2001. Battery life wasn't great but it was cool.

[Shauheen]

iWhatish?!!!

Could someone elaborate a little more on how this ugly, useless design compares with ipod?!

It is absolutely not something that mass public would be interested to buy. It is absolutely not beautiful, and not designed with simplicity in mind, and is not even a technology breakthrough or innovation!

[Ryo Hazuki]

Usual.

Interesting how they make sure to tell people to wait for the Apple iPhone in the end of the article. Very professional. Very unbiased.

[dogger596]

Ugly - Designed for people with too much money

This product is ugly.. plain and simple. It is designed for snooty rich people who have more money than brains. There is no information on the company website to justify the expense. There is no features list, and there is no information about which technology it uses (CDMA or GSM).

[dogger596]

Ugly - Designed for people with too much money

This product is ugly.. plain and simple. It is designed for snooty rich people who have more money than brains. There is no information on the company website to justify the expense. There is no features list, and there is no information about which technology it uses (CDMA or GSM).

[dogger596]

Ugly - Designed for people with too much money

This product is ugly.. plain and simple. It is designed for snooty rich people who have more money than brains. There is no information on the company website to justify the expense. There is no features list, and there is no information about which technology it uses (CDMA or GSM).

[ddesy]

Typical B&O

I guess B&#38;O is the same as ever. Take something nice and simple and turn it into an overpriced, underwhelming gadget.

Personally, I think the person who wrote the article must be on something. This phone hardly seems "cool," "stylish," or anything else but poorly thought out. And comparing it to the iPod? The only similarity is that the controls are arranged in a circular fashion.

Maybe someday B&#38;O will get the picture. Until then, only those who insist on being "stylish" will buy their stuff.

[chuck_whealton]

Re: Typical B&O

Yea, remember their turntables?

Way off the scale in price - for back then.

Charles R. Whealton
Charles Whealton @ pleasedontspam.com