Fashion -- Engadget Mobile

fashion posts

Samsung's WinMo 6.5-powered Armani smartphone gets previewed

by Darren Murph posted Oct 10th 2009 @ 4:01AM

Got a cool grand to drop on a Windows Phone? Oh, yeah? Then have a gander at Samsung's latest fashion piece, the Armani-branded M7500. The cool cats over at PhoneArena managed to get their paws around a unit, and as predicted, they didn't hesitate to bust out the camera and give us all a good look. They also took the chance to give us a brief overview of how the handset handled, calling it "bulky even for a WinMo smartphone," though praising the high-res display and well-spaced keyboard. Feel free to hit the read link if you're interested in more, but don't be shocked to hear more than a little criticism.

[Via MobileTechWorld, thanks Arnaud]

iida Ply and Prismoid phones strut their stuff at CEATEC (video)

by Darren Murph posted Oct 7th 2009 @ 1:20AM

While Fujitsu's design entrants already boggled our minds here at CEATEC, KDDI au is looking to take things one step further by actually shipping a pair of decidedly futuristic handsets in Japan. Just months after the iida sub-brand was formally launched, the Ply and Prismoid are making their debuts on the show floor. The latter sports a 2.7-inch primary display, a 0.6-inch OLED sub-display, a microSD expansion slot and a design to die for; the former packs a 3.2 megapixel camera, 1seg TV tuner and a 3-inch panel. Have a look at the gallery below (and video past the break) if you're yearning to see just how lovely a dumbphone can be, and trust us when we say you've only yourself to blame if you carelessly let this opportunity pass you by.

Gallery: iida Ply and Prismoid hands-on

Continue reading iida Ply and Prismoid phones strut their stuff at CEATEC (video)

Samsung Armani specifications and press shots emerge: mmm, luscious

by Darren Murph posted Oct 1st 2009 @ 8:48AM

You know, if it weren't so early in the morning, we might just think Samsung's latest Armani slider (more formally known as the SPH-W8200) was a gilded Instinct HD with a pull-down number pad. We're going to do our best to pretend there's really something more here, starting with the fact that the Giorgio Armani logo beneath the screen is probably worth more than half of our belongings... at least according to Craigslist. At any rate, the first glimpse at this here phone's specifications has finally emerged, and while some tidbits are still up in the air, we do know that it'll arrive with a 3.1-inch AMOLED touchscreen, a DMB TV tuner, 5 megapixel camera, HSDPA, Bluetooth and a microSD expansion slot. Too bad the price will inevitably overshadow all of that, but hey, fashion ain't cheap -- ya heard?

Sony Ericsson eyes fashionistas with Dolce&Gabbana Jalou clamshell

by Darren Murph posted Aug 12th 2009 @ 4:40AM

Remember that geometrically-inspired Bao handset we peeked back in July? Turns out Sony Ericsson has another name for it: Jalou. Announced today in both boring and limited edition Dolce&Gabbana versions, the compact-esque clamshell is definitely designed to put "style" first and substance last. Reportedly shorter than "your favorite lipstick," the cellie is actually marketed more as an accessory and less of a phone, boasting a diamond shape design, two-inch display, 3.2 megapixel geotagging camera, video recording, built-in mirror (seriously), an FM tuner, Bluetooth 2.0, multimedia player, step counter, antediluvian web browser and quad-band GSM / tri-band HSPA connectivity. The "normal" version is expected in Q4 in Deep Amethyst, Aquamarine Blue and Onyx Black, while the 24k gold-plated D&G edition will ship in Sparkling Rose along with a matching Bluetooth headset and fanciful packaging. No prices are mentioned for either, naturally.

Read - Standard Jalou
Read - Dolce&Gabbana Jalou
Read - Hands-on with standard Jalou

Gallery: Sony Ericsson Jalou

Gallery: Sony Ericsson Dolce&Gabbana Jalou

LG KG376's most fascinating feature is its color

by Chris Ziegler posted Jul 31st 2009 @ 4:49PM

Style is commonly considered a luxury; form follows function, as they say. The commoditization of phones over the past fifteen years has done weird things to economics, though, which leads directly to phones like LG's KG376. You won't find a single item on the flip's spec sheet that even begins to interest you (unless you're really, really into 128 x 128 displays), but it seems that LG intends to market the phone directly at women with an eye for style on account of its purple case with pink accents. It's got an integrated FM radio and an external light (where you'd normally expect a secondary display to be) that'll go all blinky on you to indicate messages and the like, but don't get too excited -- it seems pricing and availability are still on the downlow.

Vertu Signature Dragon handset puts the 'ugh' in 'luxury'

by Joseph L. Flatley posted Dec 24th 2008 @ 4:24PM

It looks like Vertu isn't resting on its laurels -- a mere two years after snatching the "world's ugliest phone title" with its Signature Cobra, the company's back with the Signature Dragon. What can we say about this one? Not much, seeing as how the thing isn't even listed on the company's website. Even so, since the Cobra retailed for over a quarter of a million bucks we're guessing this new handset ain't gonna be cheap. Feel free to sneak a peek at the thing in the Vertu store in Las Vegas's Wynn Hotel when you hit the town for CES. As an aside, when researching this post we came across an erotic French novel titled Dragon de Vertu which is on sale for about $30. Even if you don't read French, we still think it'd be a better use of your hard earned cash -- and if you do read French, please underline the good parts before you pass it on to us.

Read: Vertu to display its luxury handset 'Vertu Signature Dragon'
Read: Dragon de Vertu by Francis Tigrone

KF750, KF240 to kick off new fashion lineup for LG?

by Chris Ziegler posted Feb 28th 2008 @ 11:16AM

Unwired View is reporting that LG is prepping to launch a new barrage of fashion handsets, kicking off the action properly with the KF750 slider at CeBIT next week. A prototype KF750 (pictured) appears to already be up at the auction block on a Romanian site, and we're not sure "fashion" is the very first word that comes to mind -- "hypnosis," perhaps, on account of those crazy circular lights surrounding the d-pad. Features on this one should include a 5 megapixel cam (impressive if true, considering how slim this thing appears to be), 160MB of onboard storage, and microSD expansion. Meanwhile a lower-end KF240 is said to be hitting any day now -- possibly before CeBIT, that is -- setting its sights on Latin America and parts of Asia with a 2 megapixel cam.

[Via Unwired View]

The L may or not be for L'Amour: Samsung's L310 and L320

by Chris Ziegler posted Jan 24th 2008 @ 3:32PM

Samsung has busted out two decidedly fashion-friendly flips for eastern European countries, the L310 (left) and L320 (right). In fact, they're so fashion-friendly that Samsung says they're specifically targeted at women. The EDGE data and tri-band GSM radios aren't going to impress anyone, but we suppose those fancy frills just might -- maybe even fancy enough to garner some attention from Nokia. Both feature a 2 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, and microSD expansion, while the L320 ups the ante with an actual external display (imagine that!). You also get built-in calorie counter and perfume recommendation apps, though we're not so sure we'd trust our phones to tell us what we should smell like. The L310 will retail for about €220 ($319) and the L320 for about €240 ($348) when they go on sale next month.

Read - Samsung L310
Read - Samsung L320

Samsung's newest designer set, the Z240 Vittorio & Lucchino edition

by Sean Cooper posted Nov 8th 2007 @ 10:53PM

While not a radical departure like the Samsung and Armani P520 adventure, the Vittorio & Lucchino handset is at least fairly red. This designer-inspired Z240 features user replaceable covers -- like we saw on the Z248 -- so unless the design work extends to an interface theme, its beauty may be only skin deep. This set will be available exclusively form Orange Spain on December 1st, with your $85 getting you tri-band GSM with 2100 MHz UMTS, a 1.3 megapixel camera, 220 x 176 internal and 128 x 32 external screens, and Bluetooth. A word of advice if you're planning on picking this number up, why not spring for a few extra housings when checking out in case you grow tired of the Twizzlers design aesthetic?

[Via UnwiredView]

Samsung and Giorgio Armani team up on mobile phones, LCD TVs

by Joshua Topolsky posted Sep 23rd 2007 @ 4:14PM

In an exciting peanut-butter-in-my-chocolate development, Samsung has announced its plans to manufacture new products jointly designed with famed fashion magnate Giorgio Armani (of course, we knew this was coming). According to reports, Giorgio and the company are teaming up for the development of a "luxury" mobile phone, as well as a "luxury" LCD television, both of which are rumored to be extremely "luxurious." The phone (which we first heard about in July) will make its first "official" appearance at an Armani fashion show in Milan, Italy, while the television will rear its gorgeous head sometime in January. "This powerful partnership will match great design with leading technology to ensure performance is as impressive as appearance," said Yun Jong-Yong, vice chairman of Samsung. Could this be the company's answer to LG's Prada mash-up? We think yes.

Vertu's avant-garde handsets to hit Japan in 2008

by Darren Murph posted Jul 4th 2007 @ 9:22PM

Being that the economy seems to be doing quite well over in Japan these days, it follows logic that Vertu would offer up its pricey wares for the affluent on that side of the world, too. Apparently, Vertu is working with Nokia to develop a W-CDMA handset for use in Japan, but details beyond that are few and far between. Thankfully, we do know not to get our hopes up before the fall of 2008, but hopefully we'll find out exactly what phone(s) will be headed to the Land of the Rising Sun -- along with the lofty pricetags that will surely accompany them -- a few months prior to launch.

[Via Slashphone]

Is this Nokia's geometry-happy 7900?

by Chris Ziegler posted Jun 24th 2007 @ 3:07AM

For a manufacturer that's arguably the most design conservative of the Big Five (or not), this here 7900 seems to be totally outside Nokia's comfort zone -- but who knows? We live in an era where Nokia's warmed up to American 3G, so we can say with confidence that crazier things have happened. Features are said to include WCDMA and quadband GSM, QVGA display, 1.3 megapixel cam, 1GB of internal storage, and an 11mm thick case that really brings out our inner mathematician. Until we see something a little more real on this one, though, we'll be filing it in the "fanboy rendering" cabinet.

[Via IntoMobile]

Nokia partners with Finnish artist for mobile jewelry line

by Darren Murph posted Jun 10th 2007 @ 5:36PM

We've all seen those kid-friendly plastic stickers that the younger set tends to slap on their handsets in order to amp their ego, but Nokia's taking the decoration idea pretty seriously. Apparently, the firm is working with Finnish artist Björn Weckström to actually offer a "customized, limited edition Nokia N76" that will only be for sale at the Helsinki Nokia Flagship store. Additionally, there will be other pieces available to jazz up your already purchased Nokia mobile, but there's no word just yet on what exactly you can expect it to look like. We'd say the best jewelry is just an entirely new handset, eh?

Alcatel readying 20 "stylish" handsets for the US market

by Darren Murph posted Mar 31st 2007 @ 11:57AM

Just over a fortnight after deploying UMTS 900, Alcatel is now announcing that we Americans better get prepared for an absolute onslaught of phones right here in the US market. The 20 phone lineup is being dubbed a "spring lineup of fashion phones" that are reportedly quite the "chic and stylish" bunch. While there wasn't much detail on the specification end, we do know that the handsets will sport "soft-touch plastics, a leather-like finish, and design touches like dots of liquid metal." Of course, the ladies should appreciate the already-promised floral offerings, and those eying a low- to mid-range phone should find at least one option that suits their fancy. Among the barrage will be flavors that sport a 1.3-megapixel camera, 3.5-millimeter headphone jack, dedicated music controls, and support for 1GB TransFlash cards to boot. Currently, the outfit is already working to get its GSM handsets approved by AT&T, and the CDMA phones should be good to go on several "smaller regional carriers," hopefully by May of this year.

[Via PhysOrg.com]

Don't look now, but that Nokia in your pocket means you're over the hill

by Paul Miller posted Mar 28th 2007 @ 8:15PM

A survey of cellphone users in Australia, conducted by Panorama and released by Nielsen Media Research, has proved what pretty much everyone already knew: people are likely to base broad, stereotypical assumptions about you on your cellphone, just like they do with everything else you use and wear. We're guessing this breaks down a bit differently in Aussieland, but here's how mobile users tend to associate down under:

Nokia: Family-minded, middle aged managers, balance seekers, health conscious
Motorola: Fashion conscious, under 24, fun seekers, individualistic
Sony Ericsson: Ambitious young men, professionals, success driven, individualistic
LG: Favorite of mums, stay-at-home parents, success driven, harmony seekers
Samsung: Young women, career focused, success driven, fun seekers

The upshot of this research is that since most phone service providers rate the same, people are for the most part picking a carrier based on phone selection -- again, we're not exactly floored by the analysis here. Now all that's left is how to pigeon hole HTC and Palm users. We're thinking "good looking, fun loving, Engadget reader" would be a nice start.

[Via textually.org]