Signature -- Engadget Mobile

Signature posts

Google warms to location-based apps with My Tracks, new Gmail signatures

by Darren Murph posted Feb 16th 2009 @ 11:52PM

As if the addition of TeleNav GPS to the T-Mobile G1 wasn't evidence enough, Google is totally into exploiting the GPS capabilities of its Android-based handsets. First up is My Tracks, which quite simply "records tracks of outdoor activities using the phone's built-in GPS." From there, it shows the data points on a map and presents live statistics (which even includes an elevation profile); obviously, sharing said routes is a lesson in simplicity thanks to Google Maps and Google Docs. Next up are location-based Gmail signatures, which oddly enough, use your IP address in order to append a current location to your sent emails. Granted, this approach is better than nothing, but there's certainly the chance of it missing your real whereabouts by a town or three. At any rate, feel free to dig into both in the read links below.

Read - Google My Tracks
Read - Location-based Gmail signatures

Vertu's overpriced Signature S Design gets hands-on treatment

by Darren Murph posted Jan 28th 2009 @ 7:02AM

We won't lie -- we've always been harsh on Vertu handsets. As a rule, they're technologically inferior to handsets that are a twelfth the price, and honestly, they're usually pretty unsightly. But you know, Boy Genius Report's hands-on experience with the stainless steel Signature S Design really has us back on the fence. Sure, it's the price of a decent subcompact, but man, it's as sleek as sleek could ever hope to be. Have a look in the read link for a hands-on gallery that's sure to make you envious -- whether you're willing to admit it or not.

Vertu's Signature S Design gets handled -- gently

by Chris Ziegler posted Nov 10th 2008 @ 9:00PM

At a staggering 242,380 Czech crowns (about $12,331), Vertu's latest Signature S Design model certainly isn't for everybody -- in fact, we'd venture to say that it's very nearly for nobody -- but putting the positively stupid pricing aside for a moment, you have to admit that this thing is beautiful in its own way. IDNES.cz somehow managed to grab both stainless steel and gilded versions of the 3G candybar, revealing that the user interface is about as plain-vanilla as any other Series 40 device out there (what do you expect for the price of a small car?) but the hefty body looks as beautiful in person as it does in Vertu's carefully-prepared PR. It apparently feels great, too -- not like we'll ever know. Anyone need a kidney?

Vertu's Signature S Design is real, hits FCC

by Chris Ziegler posted Sep 12th 2008 @ 3:11PM

Tycoons of the world, get out your pocketbooks. Actually, wait, scratch that -- kick back, relax, and let your butler do it for you, because Vertu has a new multi-thousand dollar toy for your enjoyment. The FCC has revealed that Nokia's ultra-luxe division has finally updated its flagship Signature model to include 3G, and they've taken the opportunity to completely redesign it to make it slimmer, hotter, and presumably, pricier than ever before. The all-new Signature features quadband EDGE, HSDPA on the 850 and 2100MHz bands, and WiFi -- a Vertu first -- which means we should probably expect a fabulous browser to go with that generously-proportioned OLED display. Well, we can't, since we'll never get closer than a thick sheet of security glass to this thing -- but someone can.

Update: The phone's officially been unveiled on Vertu's site as the Signature S Design, hitting a boutique you can't get into unless you're dressed to impress near you come next month.

Vertu finally prepping 3G Signature

by Chris Ziegler posted Aug 28th 2008 @ 12:50AM

It seems that Nokia's luxury brand Vertu has finally decided to take a bold leap into the 21st century with its top-of-the-line Signature series, blessing it with a refreshed design, 3G for the very first time (though not the first time for a Vertu), and -- get this -- WiFi. That should all make for a candybar that even the peasant technophiles among us can appreciate, especially when you factor in the extra little tidbit that it's apparently sporting an OLED QVGA display (not unlike the just-introduced Nokia N85). We haven't seen anything super official on this yet, but everything jibes: the Signature is long, long overdue for a thorough overhaul, and both WiFi and IECEE certifications exist for a recently-approved RM-266V (historically, Vertus have rocked Nokia model codes with "V" tacked on the end). Of course, unless you wear a monocle, odds are you can't afford this -- but if you do happen to wear a monocle, we'd really like to see.

[Via friedblogs]

Read - WiFi interoperability certificate
Read - IECEE certification

Signature Black & White Diamonds: Vertu's latest shiny mess

by Chris Ziegler posted Nov 7th 2007 @ 9:14AM

Okay, Vertu, we get it, neither you nor your customers give a flip about staying even remotely up on technology. If you did, you'd stop selling the Signature, a model that's been kicking around since the company itself. Anyway, for the technologically illiterate fashionista with absolutely, positively nothing better to do with that aluminum briefcase full of unmarked, non-sequential $100's, Vertu presents the "Black & White Diamonds" version of the same old Signature candybar featuring 644 white diamonds paired with 428 of the black variety. Personally, we'd gladly lose a couple hundred of those diamonds in exchange for even just a quadband radio, EDGE data, and a 2 megapixel camera -- but then again, if you're the celebrity, what do you need a cam in your phone for?

[Thanks, JW]

LG Shine "Signature" LG-LC3600 features personal engraving

by Sean Cooper posted Aug 28th 2007 @ 11:42AM

LG's new Signature LG LC-3600 Shine brings yet another Shine option to market -- that thankfully lacks any beaded appliqué -- for fans of this pretty slick handset line. The "Signature" bit in the name is thanks to LG's deal to see your own signature -- or some other text -- engraved directly on the set. The 9.9-mm thin handset comes packing a 1.3 megapixel camera, 150 minutes talk and 150 hours standby time, and microSD memory expansion all packed in a 90 gram metal housing. We're not huge fans of all that engraving stuff, but the handset itself would do just fine.

[Via UnwiredView]

Vertu's diamond-encrusted Signature, now in pink

by Chris Ziegler posted Jun 26th 2007 @ 3:42AM

We're not sure what's richer: this phone, or the fact that it's the very same model that launched Vertu to mobile infamy some four years ago. We guess those with more money than tech savvy can look forward to gorging themselves on this marvel of modern opulence, Vertu's pink diamond Signature. For what it's worth, this isn't the first time Vertu has completely coated its Signature model in the glittery stuff -- and we imagine it won't be the last -- though this one rocks out with rose gold and a healthy dose of pink diamond intermixed with the traditional type. Look for it in a Vertu retailer near you, and if you have to ask the price... well, you know.

Vertu Constellation gets the FCC treatment

by Chris Ziegler posted Jul 18th 2006 @ 1:38PM

If we're gonna drop a couple grand on a phone, the least it can do is give us quad-band GSM, right? As we reported a couple weeks back, Vertu's new Constellation handset picks up where their previous efforts left off, packing GSM 850/900/1800/1900 plus EDGE data all 2003-like. We weren't able to glean much from the draft manual (which still has Signature pictures in it), but the Constellation looks to rock a variant of Nokia's S40 platform -- we leave that to the world's privileged to decide whether that's an upgrade from the Signature and Ascent's OS. Look for this little slice of leather-covered opulence to drop later this year; we're sure you rich folk will find ways to shed some cash while you wait.

Keepin' it real fake, part XXVII: Vertu loses some girth

by Chris Ziegler posted Jun 15th 2006 @ 9:06PM

If you're loving the Vertu Signature 2006 but the gargantuan 122 x 42 x 15.5mm dimensions have left a bad taste in your mouth -- not to mention the absurd price tag -- boy oh boy, do we have just the phone for you. The "Mars Bar size" miniature Signature knockoff, apparently made by CISC, comes it at a smallish 89 x 38 x 22mm. The chubby little bugger strikes a strong resemblance to its costlier role model if you squint, but that's where the resemblance ends: you lose a GSM band, leaving you with just 900 and 1800, the camera is a laughable "30k pixels," and we're guessing that our lookalike friend here doesn't sport the Vertu's jeweled key action. On the upside, internal flash is allegedly good for a hefty 128MB, and you can buy a small army of these for the cost of the genuine article.

[Thanks, Nick]