Crave

Vertu

(Credit: Sybarites)

Obsession

(Credit: Goldstriker)

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 another limited edition, and Vertu isn't kidding--only 33 of them will be made. But it had better take notice of the competition: Until it slays a few reptiles to make cases of exotic skins, it may lose some street cred.

(Credit: Goldstriker)

It's not enough for U.K.-based Goldstriker to churn out custom wares in gold, platinum, and diamonds. The eponymous phone-customizing shop is now marketing products from Obsession, the English purveyor of ultra-high-end mobiles phones. (Not to be confused with Calvin Klein's much-parodied fragrances.)

First up is the "Aphrodite" model, which comes in either platinum or 24k gold and diamonds totaling 2.1 carats, according to Luxurylaunches. It looks similar to Nokia's luxury Vertu line, which makes sense given the market they're going after, and even uses leather as part of the phone's exterior just as Vertu has done already.

There's one key difference, however: The Aphrodite comes nestled in its own handmade crocodile briefcase. Because if you're going to be obnoxious, you might as well offend a few animal-rights advocates while you're at it.

(Credit: Apple)

Whenever something's a legitimate social phenomenon these days, you can typically follow the zeitgeist on Craigslist. The impending Apple iPhone is no exception.

I was inspired by a recent Cult of Mac post to hunt on Craigslist for some of my favorite "Buy me an iPhone!" or "I'll buy you an iPhone!" ads, which I've detailed below. Interestingly enough, they were restricted to the biggest of big cities, as far as I could tell (New York, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, Boston) and I could track down only one that promised a genuinely wacky trade (White Stripes tickets for an iPhone).

Nevertheless, I think it's safe to say that things will be kind of nuts starting around 6 a.m. on Friday. Maybe even earlier.

Easier money than forwarding that chain letter? (Santa Monica, Calif.)
iPhone LineSitter Wanted - Easy $. "I am looking for several people who will wait in line for me to buy the new Apple iPhone on Friday, June 29...You need to be reliable, mature, and patience will definitely be a plus! What you do while you're in line is your business, but unless you devise a foolproof strategy, you cannot leave the line."

Wow, Jack and Meg just got shafted (Chicago, Ill.)
TRADE: WHITE STRIPE TICKETS BOTH SHOWS SATURDAY AND SUNDAY - $1. "Got a few extra tickets for the BOTH White Stripes, total of 10 extra tickets. I brought them on the presale, so they being ship to me. I am looking for an Iphone. I am going , and new to chicago so will be going alone. so 10 are up for grabs...10 tickets for an iphone. STRAIGHT UP! which is RETAIL for RETAIL. so it is fair. if nobody has an iphone for trade might look for something else. but i want an iphone. not sure what white stripe tickets are selling for, but they did soldout very quickly."

Oh, the opportunism (SoHo, N.Y.)
Apple iPhone - For Sale. "I will be buying a few iPhones next Friday, June 29th...I am charging approximately $150 over the cost of the iPhone (with tax)...4GB iPhone: $700...8GB iPhone: $800...When the initial batch of iPhones are all sold, the prices will jump considerably, so reserve one with me now. I am honest and reliable." Yeah, but aren't they only going to let you buy one?

The bidding war is on (New York, N.Y.)
Wait in line for Iphone for me! "I need someone to wait in line for an iPhone for me. The iPhone is supposed to go on sale Friday June 29th at 6pm. You could wait in line at any of the three Apple Stores on Long Island (Smithtown Mall, Walt Whitman, or Roosevelt Field)...I'm not sure when you need to be in line, but I will find out this week." The bidding's on at DoMyStuff.com. Doesn't look like you'll really make a whole lot of bank on this one.

This is what sick days are for (Cupertino, Calif.)
I want an iphone, but i cant skip work. "I want an iphone! but I cant skip work. I'm looking for someone willing to stand in line for me starting thursday afternoon, camp out, and trade spots with me around 4-5pm friday...It seems like the asking price for people to stand in line is 200-300 dollars (however i have seen offers for 150). but I want to make SURE that i get one, and I'm pretty much willing to pay the 200-300 extra for it...contact me and make me an offer - if i dont get any, i may have to camp out myself and just get in trouble with work :)"

WEDNESDAY MORNING?!? (New York., N.Y.)
Updated: Get Paid To Wait In Line... For An iPhone (Midtown). "Ok, so here's the deal. I need an iPhone. Like, really need an iPhone. It's so bad, I've taken to carrying around my paper cut-out just to get used to the size...ANYWAY, I'm looking for 1 or 2 industrious folks to setup camp outside the 5th Avenue Apple Store 6:00am, Wednesday the 27th until 6:00pm on Friday the 29th. That's 60 hours of chilling and doing nothing... and getting paid...Interested applicants should have experience waiting in line. You are responsible for any supplies, food, etc. that you may need during your stay. If you want to be considered for this rather bizarre, very odd, and slightly fun assignment, please get in touch right away..." The post then links to the Gridskipper camp-out guide.

Professional? Do you have references? (Dedham, Mass.)
Professional Line waiter for Iphone - $250. "Attention all apple fanboys/girls, are you interested in the apple's newest gadget, the iPhone? Do you want to avoid the long lines, and be reserved a spot near the front? Well I am offering the perfect service for you: I will arrive at the Dedham at&t at whatever time you request, starting from 6 p.m thurday night, to anytime after that. My fee will depend on what time you have me start at, anywhere between $250 and $300. At sometime around 5:30, we will swap places, allowing you to be near the front! Here is how payment will work, meet me there when I am starting my campout, and pay me half. After that, at around 5:30, you will give me the other half, and we will switch spots in line. Please respond." If he's a professional, I want to see documentation that he managed to get a PS3 on opening night.

OK, we know you want an iPhone (Deer Park, N.Y.)
Need placeholder for overnight at AT&T before iPhone release. "I want an iPhone. I need someone to go to the AT&T store on Deer Park Ave. in Deer Park on Thursday PM 6/28 and wait until I come about 8 AM Friday morning to take the place in line. I would meet you at the store the PM before."

Your mission, should you choose to accept it (Santa Monica, Calif.)
Looking for someone to wait in line for an iPhone. "I am looking for someone who can wait in line for me to buy the new Apple iPhone on Friday, June 29 - I have to travel for work that day, or I'd be out waiting myself. Our target is the Apple Store at the Third Street Promenade in Santa Monica. The gig starts at 5am and ends at about 5pm. You need to be reliable and focused on the success bonus...Let's make this happen." This message will self-destruct in 30 seconds.

You're still going to have to pay me a lot more than $75 (Queens, N.Y.)
CAN YOU WAIT ON LINE TO GET THE iPHONE FOR ME? "Not doing anything this Friday? Wanna make a quick $75? Wait on the line for me and/or buy the iPhone for me and you make a quick $75! There are "line-waiters" advertising on CraigsList who are charging $250, but guess what? Nobody is going to pay someone $250 for an already expensive phone! Get real folks! I'm for real, and I will pay someone (you!) $75 to wait on line for me or buy me the iPhone. I would prefer for someone to wait at the Apple Store at the Roosevelt Field Mall in Garden City. So if you live out on Long Island and have nothing to do on Friday, June 29, then why not make a quick $75? This offer is ideal for any high school student looking to make a quick easy $75. Email me back as soon as possible so that we can work out the details over the phone. Until then, take care."

(Credit: BornRich)

Just between us, one of our colleagues has this inexplicable fixation on radiators. Yes, we think it's odd too, but we try not to be judgmental here at Crave.

In fact, to show our support, we'll even contribute to her eccentric cause with an item of our own, the "Modum" from Italy's Tubor, maker of the LED mirror radiator and other unique heating appliances.

What distinguishes this latest offering, however, is not just another weird design: The Modum has a built-in AM-FM radio and can even be ordered with a perfume diffuser and an ionizer, according to BornRich. Finally, the perfect complement to the popular lamp, speaker and air purifier combo.

(Credit: Philips)

Our hypochondriatic society has given rise to all manner of bacteria-resistant computer equipment and even gadgets that claim to have germ-eliminating lights so you can lay waste to evil kooties wherever you go. But some of us aren't quite at that level of obsessive-compulsiveness (yet) and just like to keep our workspaces tidy.

Philips understands that and is putting its clean genes to work on the most used and abused item on the desktop: the lowly mouse. The company is offering a new line of "dirt-free mice" that have a "wipe-clean, high-gloss casing to prevent dirt buildup," according to Shiny Shiny. We're dubious about how well it can live up to its claims, but in true Philips fashion, at least it made the mouse look good.

The question, though, is when will they make one that's dishwasher-safe?

(Credit: Chip Chick)

If the term "Apple fanboy" were in the dictionary, a line drawing of Jeremy Mehrle could well appear beside it. Chip Chick says the St. Louis resident has 74 Macs on display, including 30 that adorn the bar pictured here. "His collection contains 18 different CRT-based iMacs, a Next Cube, four different Apple II computers, and a 20th a Anniversary Mac," she says, citing MacLife Magazine as her source. It's even more impressive when you see the photos of the rest of the abode, which can be found on Flickr.