[PICTURE UP THERE]
Most Expensive Cell Phones in the World Filed Under: Electronics, Fashion, Luxury, World on October 8th, 2006 Most people enjoy having a quality cell phone, but they also recognize that cellular phones are a consumable good and will have to be replaced within in a few years. For this reason, people often do not purchase the most expensive cell phone when they purchase their mobile. Some, though, must have a costly mobile phone. The world’s most expensive cell phones were made to satisfy just that type of person.
5. Nokia 8800 Arte with pink diamonds
$134,000
Designed by Peter Aloisson, this solid 18k white gold phone features over 680 pink and white brilliant cut diamonds totaling over 21.5 carats. Some of the phone’s features are a 3.15 MP camera with autofocus and video, a music player, Bluetooth and voice memo.
4. Sony Ericsson Black Diamond
$300,000
The price of this phones comes from actual state of the art technology instead of a bunch of shiny rocks—but that doesn’t mean it lacks visual appeal. OLED technology underneath the polycarbonate skin that covers the phones entire face gives the 4 megapixel screen a borderless look. The mirror finish gives the phone a sleek, futuristic look.
3. Vertu Signature Cobra
$310,000
This gaudy phone is so exclusive that only eight will ever be made. Designed by French jeweler Boucheron, the Signature Cobra is made with two diamonds, two emeralds and 439 rubies. For buyers who are only filthy rich, rather than obscenely rich, twenty-six of the less flashy (read: no rubies) Signature Python phones will be available for a mere $115,000. Both phones will feature the real draw.
They have frikkin’ snakes on them. Awesome.
2. The Diamond Crypto Smartphone
$1.3 million
One candidate for world’s most expensive cell phone is the Diamond Crypto Smartphone, created by luxury accessory producer Peter Aloisson of Moscow-based JSC Ancort. Its price stems from the platinum body, the cover adorned with 50 diamonds—including eight which are rare blue diamonds. Additionally, the Ancort logo and the navigation key are made of 18k rose gold.
Built on the Windows CE, this most expensive cell also features a high-resolution color TFT display and a 256 bit cryptographic algorithm. This expensive mobile phone is capable of SMS, MMS, E-mail, Internet, WAP, JAVA support and also has a media player.
1. GoldVish ‘Le Million’ Piece Unique
$1.3 million
Guinness World Records certified GoldVish SA’s ‘Le Million’ Piece Unique on January 29th, 2008. The Geneva-based luxury communications company’s expensive mobile phone was designed by Emmanuel Gueit as an addition to the Illusion Collection. The phone is made of 18k white gold and set with 20 carats of VVS1 (only microscopically flawed) diamonds. The phone also features Bluetooth, 2 GB of storage, FM radio, a digital camera and MP3 playback.
The Guinness-backed world’s most expensive cell phone is available only by special order.
Rolls Royce
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Why AT&T Wants to Keep the iPhone Away From Verizon
By Saul Hansell
AT&T’s earnings report on Wednesday highlights the enormous stakes involved in the renewal of its exclusive contract to distribute Apple’s iPhone in the United States.
Tony Cenicola/The New York Times
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal last week, Ivan Seidenberg, Verizon’s chief executive, said the company was more likely to get access to the iPhone in the coming years as it converts to a fourth-generation technology, called L.T.E., which will also be used by AT&T. The two companies now use incompatible technology, and Apple has not wanted to make multiple versions of the iPhone.
AT&T is paying Apple an unusually high subsidy on top of the $199 and $299 paid by iPhone buyers. But it appears to be getting quite a return on that investment. In the first quarter, AT&T credited the iPhone for helping increase its wireless operating profit margin to 26 percent from 25 percent a year ago.
The company activated 1.6 million iPhones on its network in the quarter. And more than 640,000 of those customers were new to AT&T’s network. That represents three-quarters of the net addition of 875,000 new postpaid consumer accounts in the quarter. (AT&T added 325,000 more net business and prepaid wireless accounts in the quarter.)
IPhone customers, moreover, are particularly valuable, mainly because they also buy expensive data plans. Their average bill is $94 a month, 60 percent higher than the company’s overall customer base. Data represented 27 percent of AT&T’s $11.7 billion in wireless revenue in the quarter, up from 22 percent a year ago.
So let’s do some very rough calculations. If the average iPhone customer brings in $90 a month, or $1,080 a year in revenue, and the operating profit margin stays constant at 26 percent, that means an iPhone customer represents at least $561 in operating profit over a two-year contract. That probably understates the impact because iPhone customers have higher-than-average profit margins.
Put another way, if the company gets 2.5 million new customers a year because of its iPhone exclusivity, the deal represents at least $700 million a year in operating profits — profits that it could lose if Verizon sold the iPhone, too.
These numbers may be low. After all, some customers who renewed accounts with AT&T and bought iPhones might well have switched to Verizon instead if it too sold the iPhone. Many people believe that Verizon has a better network, and it might gain share in a market where it and AT&T both offered the same phone. But who knows whether that will still be true once the fourth-generation networks come online.
Also this analysis of the iPhone’s impact comes from a period when there are not competing smartphones with quite the alluring set of features it has. If customers begin to see a Palm or Android phone as the equivalent of an iPhone, the value of an exclusive deal goes down.
Still, with the sort of numbers AT&T reported this quarter, the company has every reason to make Apple an offer it can’t refuse to keep its exclusive deal for another few years.
Of course, the incentives for Verizon are presumably the mirror image. While some of AT&T’s new iPhone customers come from Sprint and T-Mobile, a good chunk of them might well move to or stay with Verizon if that company also offered the iPhone. There also may be a group of Verizon customers who would upgrade to an iPhone if it were available, and in doing so move to a more expensive data plan.
So expect Mr. Seidenberg to come to Cupertino, checkbook in hand, to see what sort of deal he can make.
All things being equal, Apple has a modest incentive to expand the distribution of the iPhone as much as possible. The greatest number of users means the greatest number of customers for its iPhone Apps store. Moreover, the iPhone brings new people into the Apple ecosystem and makes them more likely to buy a Mac, an Apple TV or an iPod.
But as the numbers above show, all things are hardly equal. And the benefit of somewhat more iPhone sales from wide distribution is likely to be swamped by a huge bid from AT&T to keep exclusivity, and an equally high bid from Verizon to win some (or maybe even all) of the business for itself.
In other words, no matter what happens, Apple wins.
By Saul Hansell
AT&T’s earnings report on Wednesday highlights the enormous stakes involved in the renewal of its exclusive contract to distribute Apple’s iPhone in the United States.
Tony Cenicola/The New York Times
In an interview with The Wall Street Journal last week, Ivan Seidenberg, Verizon’s chief executive, said the company was more likely to get access to the iPhone in the coming years as it converts to a fourth-generation technology, called L.T.E., which will also be used by AT&T. The two companies now use incompatible technology, and Apple has not wanted to make multiple versions of the iPhone.
AT&T is paying Apple an unusually high subsidy on top of the $199 and $299 paid by iPhone buyers. But it appears to be getting quite a return on that investment. In the first quarter, AT&T credited the iPhone for helping increase its wireless operating profit margin to 26 percent from 25 percent a year ago.
The company activated 1.6 million iPhones on its network in the quarter. And more than 640,000 of those customers were new to AT&T’s network. That represents three-quarters of the net addition of 875,000 new postpaid consumer accounts in the quarter. (AT&T added 325,000 more net business and prepaid wireless accounts in the quarter.)
IPhone customers, moreover, are particularly valuable, mainly because they also buy expensive data plans. Their average bill is $94 a month, 60 percent higher than the company’s overall customer base. Data represented 27 percent of AT&T’s $11.7 billion in wireless revenue in the quarter, up from 22 percent a year ago.
So let’s do some very rough calculations. If the average iPhone customer brings in $90 a month, or $1,080 a year in revenue, and the operating profit margin stays constant at 26 percent, that means an iPhone customer represents at least $561 in operating profit over a two-year contract. That probably understates the impact because iPhone customers have higher-than-average profit margins.
Put another way, if the company gets 2.5 million new customers a year because of its iPhone exclusivity, the deal represents at least $700 million a year in operating profits — profits that it could lose if Verizon sold the iPhone, too.
These numbers may be low. After all, some customers who renewed accounts with AT&T and bought iPhones might well have switched to Verizon instead if it too sold the iPhone. Many people believe that Verizon has a better network, and it might gain share in a market where it and AT&T both offered the same phone. But who knows whether that will still be true once the fourth-generation networks come online.
Also this analysis of the iPhone’s impact comes from a period when there are not competing smartphones with quite the alluring set of features it has. If customers begin to see a Palm or Android phone as the equivalent of an iPhone, the value of an exclusive deal goes down.
Still, with the sort of numbers AT&T reported this quarter, the company has every reason to make Apple an offer it can’t refuse to keep its exclusive deal for another few years.
Of course, the incentives for Verizon are presumably the mirror image. While some of AT&T’s new iPhone customers come from Sprint and T-Mobile, a good chunk of them might well move to or stay with Verizon if that company also offered the iPhone. There also may be a group of Verizon customers who would upgrade to an iPhone if it were available, and in doing so move to a more expensive data plan.
So expect Mr. Seidenberg to come to Cupertino, checkbook in hand, to see what sort of deal he can make.
All things being equal, Apple has a modest incentive to expand the distribution of the iPhone as much as possible. The greatest number of users means the greatest number of customers for its iPhone Apps store. Moreover, the iPhone brings new people into the Apple ecosystem and makes them more likely to buy a Mac, an Apple TV or an iPod.
But as the numbers above show, all things are hardly equal. And the benefit of somewhat more iPhone sales from wide distribution is likely to be swamped by a huge bid from AT&T to keep exclusivity, and an equally high bid from Verizon to win some (or maybe even all) of the business for itself.
In other words, no matter what happens, Apple wins.
New for 2009
The 2009 Phantom carries on Rolls-Royce's traditional, conservative shape but with thoroughly modern mechanical components co-developed with BMW.
The Phantom is powered by a 6.7L V12 engine that has direct injection, variable valve control, and variable valve timing, and makes 453 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque, delivered though a 6-speed automatic transmission. As such, it can accelerate to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds and on to an electronically limited 149-mph top speed. According to Rolls, 75 percent (398 lb-ft) of its torque is available at only 1,000 rpm for effortless and quiet acceleration, and the engine is matched with an especially quiet exhaust system that has special "whisper-valves" to make it almost silent when stationary or moving slowly away.
The Phantom is built on a hand-welded aluminum alloy spaceframe. With a double wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear arrangement, combined with air springs and a continuous electronic damping system, the body is kept level and the ride is kept smooth while allowing responsive handling. On command, the suspension can be raised by an inch at low speeds for more clearance.
Michelin PAX run-flat tires are standard; Goodyear's Extended Mobility Technology (EMT) run-flat tires are also available. Both tire systems can be driven at 55 mph for up to 100 miles without inflation or a spare. The standard wheels are also distinctive, with weighted center caps that always stay righted; they can be chrome-plated or finished in silver.
The Phantom is available in four primary models-standard-length and Extended Wheelbase (EWB) sedans, Drophead Coupe, and Coupe. The EWB sedan gains nearly ten inches in rear legroom, and rear entry is made easier with the rear-hinged rear doors. On either sedan model, the rear doors can be automatically closed with a button from inside the car. The trunklid has powered, soft-close operation and is finished in black wool or teak and features two hidden lower compartments.
The new Coupe is based on the Drophead Coupe from 2008, featuring traditional rear-hinged doors with Art-Deco door handles. The trunk incorporates an innovative tailgate, which can hold up to 330 pounds, and with 13.9 cubic feet of storage space inside the trunk, four sets of golf clubs are no problem.
The Drophead Coupe and Coupe are aimed more at affluent individuals looking for a leisure vehicle to drive themselves, while both the sedans are considered by Rolls-Royce to be better suited for formal occasions-preferably with a driver.
The Phantom's instrument panel mixes old and new, with a very traditional-looking set of gauges and central clock, but the clock folds away to reveal a screen system-similar to that used by parent BMW-to access some functions, especially those for entertainment.
Luxurious appointments are expected inside; outside of the expected audio/video entertainment systems, standout options include a drinks cabinet, theater seating, a curtain divider, a picnic table, front and rear camera systems and various wood veneers for trim. On the outside, the Phantom is available with a monotone look, or the hood, roof, trunk, or sides can be painted in a contrasting tone.
To help power all the Phantom's electrical accessories, there are two liquid-cooled alternators, a main battery (for accessories and entertainment systems) and a dedicated starting battery.
The 2009 Phantom carries on Rolls-Royce's traditional, conservative shape but with thoroughly modern mechanical components co-developed with BMW.
The Phantom is powered by a 6.7L V12 engine that has direct injection, variable valve control, and variable valve timing, and makes 453 horsepower and 531 lb-ft of torque, delivered though a 6-speed automatic transmission. As such, it can accelerate to 60 mph in 5.7 seconds and on to an electronically limited 149-mph top speed. According to Rolls, 75 percent (398 lb-ft) of its torque is available at only 1,000 rpm for effortless and quiet acceleration, and the engine is matched with an especially quiet exhaust system that has special "whisper-valves" to make it almost silent when stationary or moving slowly away.
The Phantom is built on a hand-welded aluminum alloy spaceframe. With a double wishbone front suspension and multi-link rear arrangement, combined with air springs and a continuous electronic damping system, the body is kept level and the ride is kept smooth while allowing responsive handling. On command, the suspension can be raised by an inch at low speeds for more clearance.
Michelin PAX run-flat tires are standard; Goodyear's Extended Mobility Technology (EMT) run-flat tires are also available. Both tire systems can be driven at 55 mph for up to 100 miles without inflation or a spare. The standard wheels are also distinctive, with weighted center caps that always stay righted; they can be chrome-plated or finished in silver.
The Phantom is available in four primary models-standard-length and Extended Wheelbase (EWB) sedans, Drophead Coupe, and Coupe. The EWB sedan gains nearly ten inches in rear legroom, and rear entry is made easier with the rear-hinged rear doors. On either sedan model, the rear doors can be automatically closed with a button from inside the car. The trunklid has powered, soft-close operation and is finished in black wool or teak and features two hidden lower compartments.
The new Coupe is based on the Drophead Coupe from 2008, featuring traditional rear-hinged doors with Art-Deco door handles. The trunk incorporates an innovative tailgate, which can hold up to 330 pounds, and with 13.9 cubic feet of storage space inside the trunk, four sets of golf clubs are no problem.
The Drophead Coupe and Coupe are aimed more at affluent individuals looking for a leisure vehicle to drive themselves, while both the sedans are considered by Rolls-Royce to be better suited for formal occasions-preferably with a driver.
The Phantom's instrument panel mixes old and new, with a very traditional-looking set of gauges and central clock, but the clock folds away to reveal a screen system-similar to that used by parent BMW-to access some functions, especially those for entertainment.
Luxurious appointments are expected inside; outside of the expected audio/video entertainment systems, standout options include a drinks cabinet, theater seating, a curtain divider, a picnic table, front and rear camera systems and various wood veneers for trim. On the outside, the Phantom is available with a monotone look, or the hood, roof, trunk, or sides can be painted in a contrasting tone.
To help power all the Phantom's electrical accessories, there are two liquid-cooled alternators, a main battery (for accessories and entertainment systems) and a dedicated starting battery.
Saturday, May 2, 2009
[ BlackBerry Bold Review Series - Table of Contents ]
[ BlackBerry Bold Review Series - Table of Contents ]
The Web's First Review of the BlackBerry Bold 9000.
Remember those three BlackBerry 9000 units that showed up on eBay? As I made note in an earlier post, when the auction got pulled by the powers that be (err.. RIM?!!) there were still two units remaining, leaving one Crazy BlackBerry Addict anxiously waiting for the delivery of this next generation BlackBerry smartphone.
As luck would have it, it turns out I’m the Crazy BlackBerry Addict! When mention of the eBay 9000s came up in the forums, there was plenty of discussion as to whether the devices were legit or not. The images accompanying the auction seemed too good to be photoshopped and were unlike any other leaked 9000 pictures I had encountered previously, so it only took a few minutes to make the decision to click the Buy it Now button and PayPal over the funds. At £399.99GBP + £19.99GBP shipping (~ $828USD) it was a gamble, but potentially a good deal considering previously reported rumors that the 9000 could carry an MSRP in the $900-$1,000 range. Worst case scenario if things went south I’d eat KD for a month and have a good story to tell.
As for these particular BlackBerry 9000s, the image above says it all. 100% the real deal. It was delivered to my house yesterday afternoon and I’ve been playing with my eBay-purchased toy ever since. You’ll want to keep it locked to CrackBerry.com. I was planning on writing up one super review, but there's simply WAY too much info to put into one post. Part I (this post) will cover the unboxing and initial impressions/comparisons and after getting a few more hours facetime with the device Part II will get into the device features and OS4.6. I'll follow that up with an in-depth video walk through and we are also going to record a Special Edition BlackBerry 9000 podcast. Craig and I will record the show Friday evening, so if the posts and video leave you with any unanswered questions be sure to call them in to our Podcast Hotline at 1-866-904-5772 ext. 222 and we will answer them on the show. My fridge is stocked with Red Bull, I have a BlackBerry 9000 in hand and I don't plan on sleeping until every feature has been tested and menu option explored. Let the FUN begin!
Read on for my initial reactions to the BlackBerry 9000 >>
[ Disclaimer: Changes to the Hardware and upgrades to the Software will likely be made before the BlackBerry 9000 is officially released ]
Unboxing the BlackBerry 9000
I made the eBay purchase on April 27th and it arrived a week later. The seller didn’t offer any alternative shipping options so I was stuck with 5 Business Day International delivery. The last couple of days I was beginning to think my BlackBerry 9000 would wind up meeting the same fate as did the O2 8300 Curve I had tried to buy from the UK when it wasn’t yet available from AT&T. Apparently it left Europe but got lost in transit and never made it to Canada. I like to think it’s lying at the bottom of the ocean, waiting to be discovered by a worthy individual. That image is more pleasant than the unfortunate truth (thief!).
No Fancy Box, but the eBay BlackBerry 9000 Crossed the Pond Unscathed
The 9000 arrived in a well wrapped package that contained an even better well-wrapped package. No fancy BlackBerry box, but inside were the goods that mattered:
Wall charger (European connector – thanks, but no help to me!)
USB cable
Black rubber skin case – unbranded and stinky (the whole box smelled like rubber)
Battery
& last but not least, one BLACKBERRY 9000 Smartphone
Once unpacked, I pulled the back cover off the device (you push in the button at the bottom and the entire back side of the phone essentially comes off) and inserted the battery. Now for the moment of truth. After a few seconds the red LED lit up (blindingly bright LED light I might add) and a few seconds later the display lit up and from there the 9000 took a leisurely 1m49s to boot up.
Battery Door Release at Bottom - Reveals BIG Battery Compartment
BlackBerrys always take a long time too start up – it’s a smartphone law of nature - but I thought maybe the 9000’s mighty processor would cut down on that time. And it did, but not by much. I conducted a quick boot-up race with my BlackBerry 8320 Curve clocking in at 1m59s and BlackBerry 8830 at 2m13s. There’s a good chance the 9000 will be snappier come its full commercial release, as I’m sure this pre-production 9000 is running a lot of “diagnostic stuff” in the background. Regardless, boot up time really isn’t an issue, as unlike so many other smartphones (cough..Windows Mobile...cough), BlackBerrys rarely crash! :-)
The Web's First Review of the BlackBerry Bold 9000.
Remember those three BlackBerry 9000 units that showed up on eBay? As I made note in an earlier post, when the auction got pulled by the powers that be (err.. RIM?!!) there were still two units remaining, leaving one Crazy BlackBerry Addict anxiously waiting for the delivery of this next generation BlackBerry smartphone.
As luck would have it, it turns out I’m the Crazy BlackBerry Addict! When mention of the eBay 9000s came up in the forums, there was plenty of discussion as to whether the devices were legit or not. The images accompanying the auction seemed too good to be photoshopped and were unlike any other leaked 9000 pictures I had encountered previously, so it only took a few minutes to make the decision to click the Buy it Now button and PayPal over the funds. At £399.99GBP + £19.99GBP shipping (~ $828USD) it was a gamble, but potentially a good deal considering previously reported rumors that the 9000 could carry an MSRP in the $900-$1,000 range. Worst case scenario if things went south I’d eat KD for a month and have a good story to tell.
As for these particular BlackBerry 9000s, the image above says it all. 100% the real deal. It was delivered to my house yesterday afternoon and I’ve been playing with my eBay-purchased toy ever since. You’ll want to keep it locked to CrackBerry.com. I was planning on writing up one super review, but there's simply WAY too much info to put into one post. Part I (this post) will cover the unboxing and initial impressions/comparisons and after getting a few more hours facetime with the device Part II will get into the device features and OS4.6. I'll follow that up with an in-depth video walk through and we are also going to record a Special Edition BlackBerry 9000 podcast. Craig and I will record the show Friday evening, so if the posts and video leave you with any unanswered questions be sure to call them in to our Podcast Hotline at 1-866-904-5772 ext. 222 and we will answer them on the show. My fridge is stocked with Red Bull, I have a BlackBerry 9000 in hand and I don't plan on sleeping until every feature has been tested and menu option explored. Let the FUN begin!
Read on for my initial reactions to the BlackBerry 9000 >>
[ Disclaimer: Changes to the Hardware and upgrades to the Software will likely be made before the BlackBerry 9000 is officially released ]
Unboxing the BlackBerry 9000
I made the eBay purchase on April 27th and it arrived a week later. The seller didn’t offer any alternative shipping options so I was stuck with 5 Business Day International delivery. The last couple of days I was beginning to think my BlackBerry 9000 would wind up meeting the same fate as did the O2 8300 Curve I had tried to buy from the UK when it wasn’t yet available from AT&T. Apparently it left Europe but got lost in transit and never made it to Canada. I like to think it’s lying at the bottom of the ocean, waiting to be discovered by a worthy individual. That image is more pleasant than the unfortunate truth (thief!).
No Fancy Box, but the eBay BlackBerry 9000 Crossed the Pond Unscathed
The 9000 arrived in a well wrapped package that contained an even better well-wrapped package. No fancy BlackBerry box, but inside were the goods that mattered:
Wall charger (European connector – thanks, but no help to me!)
USB cable
Black rubber skin case – unbranded and stinky (the whole box smelled like rubber)
Battery
& last but not least, one BLACKBERRY 9000 Smartphone
Once unpacked, I pulled the back cover off the device (you push in the button at the bottom and the entire back side of the phone essentially comes off) and inserted the battery. Now for the moment of truth. After a few seconds the red LED lit up (blindingly bright LED light I might add) and a few seconds later the display lit up and from there the 9000 took a leisurely 1m49s to boot up.
Battery Door Release at Bottom - Reveals BIG Battery Compartment
BlackBerrys always take a long time too start up – it’s a smartphone law of nature - but I thought maybe the 9000’s mighty processor would cut down on that time. And it did, but not by much. I conducted a quick boot-up race with my BlackBerry 8320 Curve clocking in at 1m59s and BlackBerry 8830 at 2m13s. There’s a good chance the 9000 will be snappier come its full commercial release, as I’m sure this pre-production 9000 is running a lot of “diagnostic stuff” in the background. Regardless, boot up time really isn’t an issue, as unlike so many other smartphones (cough..Windows Mobile...cough), BlackBerrys rarely crash! :-)
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