(Credit:
Newlaunches)
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.
(Credit:
Headset Gazette)
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 and seven days on standby.
Bluetrek has already made something of a reputation for experimenting with various features and forms, whether it be a built-in touch screen or wrap-around earbuds. So it should be noted that, as impressively thin as the Metal may be, it's still no spork.
(Credit:
Christian Dior)
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 camera, ring tones," according to the Wall Street Journal. That's not terribly encouraging given the expected price of $5,000. But to be fair, the cost includes two phones: The main handset and a "minature phone barely bigger than a USB key." The latter supposedly clips to the outside of a bag and connects with its larger sibling inside, avoiding the need to rummage around frantically when it's ringing. Yeah, that's what we were thinking too.
(Credit:
Mobile Choice)
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 knows.
Other than that curiosity, it's a fairly standard phone with a 2-megapixel camera, Bluetooth, microSD card slot, and FM radio tuner that costs about $400. At that price, they should at least throw in a pair of jeans.
(Credit:
Le Journal Du Geek)
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 is the price range. In fact it's a little higher, though that doesn't matter much at these levels: This fashion magnet will run between $5,420 and $6,216, to be exact. And here we thought the Prada and Armani phones were expensive.
(Credit:
Pocket-lint)
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 such extras as games, wallpaper, and ring tones.
We have to say that we're more than a bit disappointed, however. ModeLabs has some amazing designs for phones in concept form for some time, yet we keep seeing products like this latest yawner and the Hummer handset. On the other hand, we're relieved that it doesn't bear any resemblance to the HP laptop that won a design contest MTV sponsored.
(Credit:
Tag Heuer)
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 that has created handsets for such brands as Levi's and Hummer. Although those weren't watch phones, ModeLabs has never been shy to take chances with new designs and products.
The partnership, which Luxurylaunches describes as a "world-first agreement between the field of mobile phones and that of luxury watchmaking," is part of a project that Tag Heuer began three years ago--a timetable that helps explain why details and specs are so slow in coming. What we do know is that the companies are planning to finally end the suspense with a maiden launch in 2008.
He's cute, but the phone's a little clunky-looking
(Credit: Levi's)Not to be outdone by its higher-end fashion brethren like Prada, denim mainstay Levi's will be selling a mobile phone and marketing it to young, label-conscious technosexuals, the company announced in Paris this week. The original partnership was announced in October.
The steel-encased phone, manufactured by the French company ModeLabs, comes with a detachable chain that's reminiscent of vintage pocket watches. Buyers will be able to choose between metallic silver, brown copper, and black color schemes; for those with more feminine inclinations, "shiny silver" and "shiny sand" models will also be introduced, featuring "mirror" screens. (No word on whether those will cost more.)
Blogs have reported that the phone will come with Bluetooth and MP3 player capabilities as well as a two-megapixel camera, but none of those details were included in the official release from Levi's.
The new handset hits European stores in September.
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