Some people keep a solved Rubik’s Cube on their desks as nothing more than a decoration, and seem to get really, really angry if you completely mess it up while they’ve stepped out for lunch. (It was no reason to bust my favorite pencil in retaliation!) But imagine how upset they’d be if they had dropped $1,950 on this Rubik’s Cube from Dunhill which is covered in squares of dyed shagreen leather. (Which comes from sharks and rays these days.)
The cube itself is a “genuine competition standard Rubik’s cube” which basically means it’s your regular old plastic model, so there’s nothing special on the inside. But the individual squares of leather have been polished to a smooth finish which is apparently easier on the hands while solving the cube. A nice touch for sure, but I doubt anyone who spends almost 2 grand on a Rubik’s Cube is going to spend much time playing with it.
We’re not entirely sure why you’d want a hand-crafted, silver-plated 4GB memory key in the shape of a pebble, but perhaps Valentine’s 2011 is geek-themed and nobody bothered faxing to let us know. LaCie‘s latest design partnership is with Christofle, the end result being the Galet USB Key.
The French-finished memory disc comes in a “charming gift box” and LaCie reckons it’s ideal for wearing around the neck on a chain; we’d also suggest replacing your boring old pocket-watch with one, or perhaps wearing it as a less-useful monocle. The LaCie Galet is available now, priced at £94.99 ($152).
Press Release:
Christofle and LaCie Reveal Luxury for Every Day: Galet USB Key
• Imagined by Christofle
• Assembled and silvered in France
• 4GB of storage
London, UK (20th January 2011) – Today, two distinguished brands, Christofle and LaCie, introduce an elegant object for your digital belongings – Galet, design by Christofle. With its beautiful pebble shape and magnificent silver-plating, the Galet is a conversation piece that proves beauty and functionality can easily co-exist in our daily lives.
Changing the definition
The Galet is a new way of thinking about personal technology. Like a designer watch or a luxury pen, the Galet is an essential accessory.
Hand-crafted in France, each piece is individually plated with precious silver through Christofle’s 150 year-old silvering process. Then it is carefully inspected for a smooth finish and radiant polish, which guarantees its excellence. The Galet is assembled and hand-packed in a charming gift box at LaCie’s factory in Paris, ensuring each Galet represents the finest presentation and quality. Once the process is complete, the result is a timeless gift that will bring convenience and luxury to one’s daily life.
Mobility made chic
The Galet is a collector of photo and music memories. It is a beautifully simple USB solution to keep your cherished files close and accessible. The Galet’s pebble shape easily fits into your life – in your pocket, on your key chain, or even around your neck – so you can take it with you wherever you go.
“The spirit and philosophies of Christofle and its luxury brand, combined with the technical expertise of LaCie, have come together to transform a universal technology into an object that is as beautiful and simple a treasured piece of jewellery,” said Luc Pierart, Business Unit Manager, Consumer Peripherals, LaCie “Each time you open it, its mystery is revealed – an elegant USB key.”
Availability
The Galet comes in 4GB and includes LaCie’s Private-Public software with password protection. The Galet is available for £94.99 in Christofle boutiques worldwide, as well as the LaCie Online Store. For more product information, visit www.lacie.com.
International jet-set elite, your new phone is here! That’s right, Vertu and Ferrari have teamed up yet again to produce the phone that serves two important purposes: showing the world that you own a Ferrari, and showing the world that you don’t need a phone that does much besides receiving calls from your accountant. Essentially the recently announced Ascent refresh, this bad boy features a 2-inch QVGA sapphire crystal display and quadband 3G. The case itself is constructed from forged titanium with a matte black PVD finish and the same hand stitched leather as the interior of the car it’s inspired by. But you better be fast! Only 2,011 will be made. (Get it?) Hit the source link to order three or four for yourself.
If 50 Cent reckons he can have the whole CES 2011 celebrity rapper headphone endorsement market to himself, he needs to think again. The Sleek Audio “Sleek by 50 Cent” cans have some competition from Ludacris, who has lent his name to Signeo USA for them to slap on the SOUL by Ludacris headphones.
SOUL won’t just consist of a single pair, either, but five different models: the High Definition Professional SL300 Powered Noise Cancelling headphone, High Definition On-Ear models SL150 and SL100, and the SE99 and SE49 High Definition In-Ear headphones. Each gets noise cancellation technology and “ultra precise audio mix balancing.”
No word on pricing, but the new headphones are expected to arrive early this year.
Press Release:
Signeo USA Officially Unveils SOUL by Ludacris®
Company to Launch Full Suite of High Performance Audio Line with World Renowned Artist Ludacris at the 2011 Consumer Electronics Show
January 5, 2011 – Signeo USA, a global leader in pro and consumer audio manufacturing, announces the worldwide launch of a superior new line of personal audio products – SOUL by Ludacris®. In a highly collaborative effort with the Grammy winning and globally renowned artist Chris “Ludacris” Bridges, the SOUL® brand kicks off with an initial 5-model line-up of high definition headphones that offer the elite sound caliber of a professional headphone with a distinct flair for self expression and style. Driven by his famously artistic vision, and supported by an award-winning design team with resume credits spanning from luxury automotive to world-class electronics, the line dons a sleek form factor and presents an array of eye-catching colors and uniquely designed styles.
“It was important to our team to create a collection of audio concepts that not only delivers a powerful and precise listening experience, but also embodies the kind of style people look for in a nice pair of sunglasses or even a sports car”, said Bob Bonefant, Executive Director of Signeo USA. “Ludacris is a perfect partner for us as he is the consummate individualist and has such a talent for infusing a distinct style into everything he does.”
The SOUL by Ludacris line debuts with the High Definition Professional SL300 Powered Noise Cancelling headphone, High Definition On-Ear models SL150 and SL100, and the SE99 and SE49 High Definition In-Ear headphones. The entire line contains professionally voiced sound technology with advanced circuitry and drivers designed by a team of engineers who have developed some of the most notable acoustic breakthroughs in the audio industry. Elements such as world-class noise cancellation technology and ultra precise audio mix balancing deliver deep bass without sacrificing clarity of mids and highs to provide a listening experience fit for a wide audience that reaches the business traveler or casual music lover to the pro musician or audiophile.
Signeo USA Executive Director Len Davi commented,“ Delivering an impactful sound experience is an art form. Music is a passionate expression, and when you hear a great performance it’s a very powerful thing. The SOUL name and concept is founded on the idea that you should be able to experience that feeling with each listen.”
The SOUL by Ludacris® product line will be exclusively distributed by Ingram Micro, Inc. (NYSE: IM) through its Consumer Electronics Division. The new line is scheduled to hit retail shelves nationwide in early 2011.
For More Information, please visit www.SOULbyLudacris.com
About SOUL by Ludacris®
Expression, Passion and Superior Sound are at the core of the SOUL by Ludacris ®experience. Here to prove that style and sound quality can coexist, the SOUL line offers an array of personal audio products that masterfully balance elements such as world-class noise cancellation technology with superior sound quality, allowing you experience the full range of your music. Pair that with an award winning design team and the expressive vision of world renowned artist Ludacris, and you get the first headphone that effectively merges style with professional acoustics.
About Chris “Ludacris” Bridges
Boasting a collection of hits that spans over a decade, Ludacris has sold more than 12 million albums domestically thanks to the blockbuster success of such singles as “Stand Up,” “Get Back,” “Number One Spot” and “Money Maker.” 2010’s acclaimed “Battle of the Sexes” album release brought more chart topping hits, including “How Low” and “My Chick Bad.” With an unrivaled match of lyrical acumen, wit and imagery, Ludacris has solidified himself as one of music’s premier entertainers. Although he’s best known for his infectious tunes, Ludacris has shown that he’s equally adept at writing powerful songs with serious subject matter, including runaways on “Runaway Love.” This versatility and artistic complexity enabled Ludacris to make a seamless transition to acting. His global popularity soared with his work on the Fast & the Furious motion picture series, and his acclaimed performances in films such as Crash and Hustle & Flow plus noteworthy television roles (Law & Order: Special Victims Unit) have Hollywood and critics alike buzzing about his increasingly impressive screen resume. The SOUL by Ludacris audio line joins Ludacris’ Conjure Cognac and Disturbing Tha Peace Records as yet another successful venture of the business mogul.
Perhaps we don’t have the mindset of a suitably rich plutocrat, but we always thought the main point of Daimler’s exceedingly ostentatious Maybach line-up was to sit in the back and let the chauffeur worry about the twisty stuff ahead. That message doesn’t seem to have made it to German coachbuilder Xenatec, which has kicked off production of its Cruiserio project, turning the Maybach 57 S into a two-door coupe.
The Xenatec Maybach Cruiserio – which sounds a bit like a name from The Culture – keeps the original four-door saloon’s V12, turbocharged engine, which is capable of over 600bhp, but then makes some significant changes to the bodywork. Two large doors go on, the windshield is raked back and the roofline is lowered. It’s the design handiwork of Fredrink Burchhardt, who was responsible for the €25m Maybach Excelero concept.
Happily the Cruiserio doesn’t cost quite that much, but it’s still a fair chunk over and above what you’d pay for the “regular” 57 S. It’s priced at €675,000 ($894,000) with a 9-month waiting list, with options including a fully glass roof and ridiculously large wheels.
Striking while the iron’s hot, Romain Jerome’s latest timepiece embraces the steampunk trend at the height of its popularity. Cleverly named the ‘Steampunk’ the watch appears to be part of the company’s Titanic DNA line since the oxidized bezel is made from steel from the actual wreckage of the ship, and materials supplied by the Harland & Wolff shipyard in Belfast where the Titanic was built.
Like with the company’s previous timepieces there are also details throughout the watch tying it back to the Titanic like the tiny ship’s propeller located on the left side of the face. And once again Romain Jerome hasn’t posted any pricing info, though like with their original Titanic model the Steampunk will only be available in a limited run of 2,012 pieces since 2012 marks the 100th anniversary of the sinking of the ocean liner.
You might remember Gray Design’s Strand Craft 122, a sleek, curvaceous yacht which integrated a garage for a sports car to take you from the marina to your choice of restaurant. For some, though, a mere 122 feet is far too unimpressive; what they’ll be wanting is the Strand Craft 166, a new superyacht that has the same handy garage but a whole lot more space on-board.
Video after the cut
There are a full five en-suite double staterooms, each lavishly equipped with iPad control units and 52-inch Bang & Olufsen TVs. The carbon-fiber foredeck has a jacuzzi and wet bar, while the flybridge and radar mast both retract – as you can see in the animation below – so as not to spoil the aesthetic when they’re not required. You get the feeling the Strand Craft’s designers have spent a little too long in dank, underground nightclubs: there are lashings of red leather on the walls, chrome and brushed aluminum, and you can optionally have the whole interior clad in bullet-proof Samurai leather.
The car itself is a custom creation by Gray Design, though you could easily slot in your own Ferrari or Lamborghini instead. A 40 knot top-speed rounds things out nicely. No word on pricing – let’s just imagine lots of zeros – and no sign of a date as to when we might see the first Strand Design 166 take to the waves; this may well end up another design exercise that never actually gets wet.
The Strand Craft 166 is an uncompromising superyacht that is as outrageous as it is daring. Designed entirely around an automotive theme, this yacht is ideal for owners who are addicted to that new leather smell. Her low stance, enormous length and curled haunches give this vessel a dynamic aesthetic that is guaranteed to turn heads in the the most well appointed marinas.
Retractable flybridge
Contributing to the sleek profile of the yacht is the retractable flybridge and radar mast that retreat into the skin of the yacht when not in use. Both can be deployed independently of each other and are available only when they are required, ensuring the yacht keeps the cleanest possible lines for making that first impression. Strengthening this philosophy are the twin concealed entrances to the yacht, hiding the stairway to the upper aft deck as well as providing access to the garage, bar and lounge areas.
Hidden jacuzzi deck
Concealed beneath the carbon fibre inlaid fore deck is a sun deck equipped with a large jacuzzi, sporting a built-in bar to ensure that every party is well catered for. Access is through a vertically sliding glass door in the windscreen of the pilot house where there is ample seating for 8 guests. The pilot house itself opens up to the lounge to provide a smooth transition and connection between the driver and the main guest area and at the same time letting in light from the main windscreen to the spaces below.
Supercar tender
Following Strand Craft’s automotive tradition, the SC166 comes equipped with it’s own custom supercar tender. Created in the same design language as it’s carrier, the tender ensures you can roll out at your favorite port in ultimate style. With a V8 engine producing 620 horsepower and a top speed of 305 kph, the tender is an accessory that will certainly put a smile on your face.
Alternatively, you can order your own choice of conveyance to accessorize your superyacht. Be it Koenigsegg, Maybach, Lamborghini, Ferrari, or a waterborne tender, the choice is yours.
Interior and exterior automotive styling
The automotive theme is rich in the SC166, from the cockpit like glasshouse on the upper deck to the red leather covered upholstery that adorns large surfaces of the interior. Chrome highlights sparkle in every part of the cabin and the walls are treated to a highly polished gunmetal automotive lacer. Brushed aluminum trims the windows and bar area and the hallways are bathed in soft LED spotlighting.
Bulletproof
The SC 166 comes with the option of having upholstery made from an exclusive Japanese Samurai tread leather. These custom designed leathers are woven from a bullet-proof textile made of Vectran fibres. Optionally all walls can be covered in Samurai leather to make it a bullet proof yacht
Completing the specification list, there are five double en-suite staterooms, each equipped with 52 inch Bang & Olufsen TVs, top of the line sound systems, LED mood lighting and a iPad control and information center from Poets Road to allow you to activate any function from wherever you are on the yacht as well as providing essential information about the running and status of the vessel and it’s massive engines.
Powered by two MTU 20V4000 M93L 2x4300KW (2x5766hp) engines with a Vericor TF50 4177KW (5600hp) booster engine the SC166 is capable of cruising speeds of 30 knots with a top speed of 40 knots.
SC166 Specifications
LOA—————————————50 m
BEAM—————————————9 m
CONSTRUCTION————–High Tech Composites
DRAUGHT (loaded)————————-1.9 m
WEIGHT———————————230 Ton
ENGINES——————-2 x MTU 20V4000 M93L
BOOSTER—————————Vericor TF50
PROPULSION——-Water Jets Rolls-Royce KAMEWA
TOP SPEED—————————~ 40 Knots
FUEL CAPACITY————————–35000 L
FRESHWATER CAPACITY———————5000 L
BOW THRUSTERS——————————TBA
STABILIZERS——————————–TBA
GENERATORS———————————TBA
WATERMAKERS——————————–TBA
GREY / BLACK WATER CAPACITY—————-TBA
SC166 Tender Specifications
ENGINE—————————-4.3 liter V8
TORQUE——————————-347 lb-ft
HP—————————510 hp @ 8500 rpm
0-62 MPH—————————3.7 seconds
TOP SPEED——————————196 mph
If you’re looking for something a little smarter than Tonino Lamborghini’s Spyder series of luxury phones (and we mean “smarter” in the operating system sense, not the wisdom of purchasing such a device), look no further than the Evoluzione. This puppy runs Android 2.1 (Froyo might be available in the future), but falls well short of its automotive namesake by sticking with a middling HVGA display of 3.2 inches and a 600MHz processor. Can you picture a Murcielago with a V-6? We can’t. Good news is that it costs a whole hell of a lot less, too: S$788, which works out to about $600.
Moine-Garde recently came to our attention, and we were quite frankly amused by its offer of “fine virtual timepieces” — if only because, in this context, “fine” and “virtual” would seem to cancel each other out. But like the best websites and catalogs catering to the wealthy, social climbers, or the just plain gullible, this company is not just selling Android apps, it’s selling a lifestyle. Some of our favorite item descriptions:
EX-01 Homme ($15) Entering the boardroom at 8:30 AM – everyone awaits a decision. Mentally going over the broader picture. Calmly sitting down at the end of the table. Placing the phone quietly on its black glass surface. Time: 8:31. Let the meeting begin.
F-01 M’elle ($7) Strolling down Rue Saint-Florentin. New dress: Check. Artichokes: Check. Hometown Crémant: Check. All is ready. Thinking about his smile on the last date. Loving the scent of vanilla from the bakery across the road. 7:10 PM. Incoming text message: “Chéri – Can’t wait to see you tonight.”
M-01 Jaune ($3) Finally got around to reading Fritz Neumeyer’s essay on Mies Van Der Rohe. 3:05 PM, Sunday afternoon – Coldplay in the background. Sitting comfortably with a tall glass of Chablis. The patterns of rain on the terrace windows are simply amazing. Page 122.
M-02 Verte (Coming soon!) 12:30 PM, Singapore. Lunch break at the School of Art & Design. On the rooftop enjoying a Katong Laksa. Green as far as the eye can see. Remembering a Murakami sentence. Watching a plane go by. How time flies. Have to return to the lecture. Guess that’s ok.
At this point you’re probably asking yourself if this is all a joke, or if these guys are serious — and to be honest, we can’t tell either. But we do know this: $15 is quite a lot to spend on a watch app, even if it does display hours, minutes, andseconds. PR after the break.
Got strong hands, a hatred of low-resolution images and $31,995 burning a hole in your pocket? Leaf would love to help, with PhotographyBlog reporting that the company’s 80-megapixel Aptus-II 12 digital camera back is now shipping. Announced back in September [PDF link], the Aptus-II 12 has a 53.7 x 40.3 mm sensor capable of 80-800 ISO range and 1.5 fps.
The camera back will work with Phase One 645DF and AF and Mamiya 645DF and AF cameras, most Hasselblad V models and a selection of large format cameras via adaptors. On the back there’s a 3.5-inch touchscreen for control, and the end result is up to 10,320 x 7,752 images at up to 480MB.
If 
