Filed under: Gadgets, Wings

Jet packs have been available before but this latest design from Martin Aircraft Company is perhaps one of the most affordable options yet for those seeking new and exciting personal travel options. Marketed as good for personal use, emergency services, and even the military, each duel-propelled pack boasts 200hp and can travel up to 30 miles in 30 minutes on a single tank of fuel. Plus the unit is light enough that no pilots license is required for use (in the UK, anyway), so on a nice day the average Joe can forget hopping in the car to go pick up a gallon of milk and strap on a jet pack instead.

The New Zealand-based company is looking to start production soon and hopes to produce up to 500 jet packs per year for sale at £50,000 each.

(Via Dvice)

Why Buy a Car When You Can Travel Via Jet Pack? originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 12 Mar 2010 07:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Gadgets

Exercise machines might help make people beautiful but the equipment itself is usually anything but. Looking to change all that, however, is Japanese fashion designer Kenzo Takada, who has decked out a PowerPlate (vibrate your way to fitness) in a vivid floral motif. The limited edition model is bright and colorful almost to the point of being obnoxious, but I’m thinking most exercise rooms could use the pop of color (whether it coordinates or not). ‘Regular’ PowerPlates sell for approx $4,500 but this one will cost you £9,525 (or about $14,300).

Via bookofjoe

Limited Edition Exercise Machine: The Designer PowerPlate originally appeared on Luxist on Thu, 11 Mar 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Gadgets

Real luxury isn’t always about glitz and glam, but about quality construction and awesome functionality. Here we have a flashlight, ahem “Emergency Illuminator,” by the sleek and trendy people at Porsche Design Studio that is aiming to meet both those criteria by being super bright (180 lumens LED) and having nifty features like a USB port for charging your cell phone/MP3 player and a backup lithium battery that kicks in if the standard C ones wear out. Plus it comes with an optional glove box bracket to keep it within easy reach on a moments notice, and of course it’s a Porsche so it looks awesome. $289

Porsche Design Studio ‘Emergency Illuminator’ originally appeared on Luxist on Sun, 07 Mar 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Gadgets

When the iPad was first announced we knew the standard fancy accessories and protective cases wouldn’t be far behind, but this Wood Case from Vers is actually pretty unique. Handcrafted of bamboo and hardwood it’s made to protect your iPad in luxurious style without going the route of gilding or crystal encrusting. It features a top-loading slipcase design with a soft, scratch-resistant lining, openings for the volume control and 30-pin connector, 4mm walls for a solid and substantial feel, and an optional stand for vertical display. A classy and contemporary way to personalize and protect your trendy new gadget. $80

Via Acquire

Vers Wood Case for iPad originally appeared on Luxist on Sun, 07 Mar 2010 15:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Gadgets

The DataTraveler 310 Flash Drive is the king of all flash drives not because it comes all decked out in gold and diamonds, but because it’s the biggest and baddest of them all in terms of data storage. Packing a whopping 256 gigabytes of storage capability it has more memory than most computers and can hold the equivalent of up to 54 full length movies. All in a package smaller than a candy bar.

Intended for professionals who have a need to transport especially large data files, like engineers, I can see people investing in them for personal use too — as a simple way of storing music, movies, and picture files. Once you’ve got one of these no worries about choosing which DVDs to grab for movie night at a friend’s house when you can just as easily bring your entire collection. $1,100

Via bookofjoe

The DataTraveler 310 Flash Drive originally appeared on Luxist on Sun, 07 Mar 2010 11:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Gadgets

The Lomo LC-A has been around for more than 25 years and now a few lucky aficionados can own a rare collector’s version: the Lomo LC-A + Gold limited edition. Featuring the original Russian Minitar lens for those authentic eye-popping colours and shadowy vignettes, this version is gilded in 24k gold and wrapped in fine leather. Available in a limited and numbered edition of 130, the Lomo LC-A+ Gold also comes with a wooden storage case, 2 rolls of Lomography 800 film, and a hardcover copy of Lomographiere. $600

Lomo LC-A+ Gold Limited Edition Camera originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 06 Mar 2010 10:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Gadgets, Timepieces

What do you get when you mix complex mechanical watch making with a mobile phone? I have no idea. Luxury watch makers have been in the mobile phone world for a little while with such models at Tag Heuer Meridiist and the Ulysse Nardin Chairman, but these are mostly fancy items on the outside with traditional mobile phone hardware on the inside. The Papillion phone by Celsius X VI II (10 6 2) is going to take the convergence of these devices a few steps further. The result? Well it is still just a teaser now. You can see the “x ray” image above of what the item will look like on the inside.

There is also a teaser movie located here at Celsius X VI II’s website. It doesn’t really show much, bit if you are hungry for details about this you can check it out. What is clear is that it will be a clam-shell style phone, have lots of mechanical ‘gizmometry’ in it, and apparently will function as a real phone. A melding of electronics and mechanics according to the brand.

Is the Papillon going to be particularly useful? Probably not. Hopefully it will be very cool though. The concept reminds me a bit of Roland Iten items. But then again I think his over-engineered daily use items are more practical as well as luxurious. The Papillon is probably going to be as close to what we will ever get as a mobile phone Transformer. It might not morph into an evil robot from another planet, but it sure will be filled with bona fide mechanical guts. The Celsius X VI II Papillion mechanical mobile phone will be officially debuted at Baselworld soon. I will be there and be able to check out this roughly $300,000 luxury item hands-on.

Ariel Adams publishes the luxury watch review site aBlogtoRead.com.

Celsius X VI II Papillon Mechanical Mobile Phone originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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For the most part iPhone apps are available to anybody who wants to buy and download them, but not only does Apple’s iVIP Black come with the highest price tag of all its apps at $999.99 but there’s a vetting process that includes a personal interview to ensure you’re really a ‘High Net Worth individual’ before they let you install it to your phone. So what do you get for going through all that trouble? A one year membership in a concierge service that will hook you up with special VIP opportunities and deals at the touch of a button, no matter what time of day or where you are, provided you’re in the UK where the service provider (iVIP Ltd.) is located. They also offer the ability to personalize your iVIP Black membership, which automatically gives you a lifetime membership and includes access to exclusive perks like entourage services and access to private islands.

No worries if you don’t qualify (or are just too cheap) to spring for the full iVIP Black treatment as there’s also iVIP Blue ($16.99) and iVIP Red (free), and of course there’s always our free and awesome Luxist App also available for download on iTunes.

Via JustLuxe

iVIP Black is Most Expensive iPhone App originally appeared on Luxist on Tue, 23 Feb 2010 06:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Gadgets

A big question is: Does the public care what it does? It seems that the products designed by the robot industry are caught somewhere between being a very expensive toy and useless. Ever since Rosie was introduced on the Jetsons in the 1960s there has been a collective fantasy that a real housekeeper robot will miraculously emerge on the scene to help busy people manage their lives. Who wouldn’t be interested in a helping hand who could cook, walk the dog and in general help out around the house? The Roomba vacuum, which can help with cleaning up some extra pet hair, doesn’t count! Video chatting has become a simple reality; where is our “Rosie”?

At the moment The Japan Pulse reports that the newest robot to hit the market is the Palro Robot by Fujisoft. Showcased recently in Japan this cute humanoid stands a little over a foot tall and performs a variety of tasks. Included in this robot’s repertoire is the ability to interact with household appliances such as televisions and cameras, act on voice commands, read out weather and news reports and of course the ever useful ability to dance. For those of you technology geeks who want to know the specifics here they are: Palro comes with a 1.6GHz CPU Intel Atom CPU, 1 GB of RAM, 4 GB of flash memory, a 3 MP camera, Wi-Fi, 802.11 b/g/n, 3 megapixel webcam and a lithium ion battery.

The company plans to sell the robots starting on March 15, 2010 with the main market being research institutions but plans to sell it to the rest of soon after for a hefty price tag of 298,000 Yen which is over $3,000 US dollars for each humanoid pal! For those of you with some cash to burn Palro seems like an excellent luxury toy but I’m waiting for my “Rosie”!

Check out video of Palro in action after the jump.

Continue reading Palro Robot by Fujisoft: So Cute But What Does It Do?

Palro Robot by Fujisoft: So Cute But What Does It Do? originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 20 Feb 2010 09:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Gadgets, Writing Instruments

Inspired by mythological Roman figure Neptune, God of water and of the sea, this set from S.T. Dupont pays tribute to ancient times with a contemporary design that beautifully represents waves, water, and serenity in deep blue Chinese placed lacquer. Great for a collector or lover of Roman mythology (or of course anyone who just likes to use stylish writing instruments), the set comes in a numbered limited edition of 888 and includes a Ligne 2 lighter plus three Olympio Large pens — one each fountain, roller, and ballpoint. $1000

Via Bornrich

S.T. Dupont Limited Edition Neptune Gift Set originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 20 Feb 2010 16:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Gadgets

We’ve swooned over Vivienne Tam’s digital designs before. The fashion designer has been at the forefront of combining technology with fashion. Her latest collaboration is with Monster Cable. The new Butterfly High Fashion In-Ear Headphones are delicately styled headphones that use Monster’s exclusive technologies to deliver crisp, clean, refined sound. The in-ear headphones are done in champagne gold and solid metal housing with colorful butterflies pretty enough that you will want to make sure that your ears are displayed. The headphones come with Monster Performance Eartips in multiple shapes and sizes for a for a comfortable and secure fit. A matching cable slider and clip keeps weight off headphones so they stay snug in your ears. The headphones will be available in April and sell for $199.95.

Vivienne Tam’s Butterfly Headphones originally appeared on Luxist on Fri, 19 Feb 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Decor, Gadgets

Working from home is becoming a more and more popular way to do business, and although it certainly has its perks for some finding the peace and quiet needed to work in a house full of kids and pets is near impossible. Enter the Archipod Garden Office, built by a company in the UK and made to be dropped off and assembled right in your own backyard. Electric, telephone, and water ready, the ‘Pod’ features a large dometop skylight and several round windows for natural light, plus several dimmable interior spotlights and concealed mood lighting. The work area consists of special sound-muting insulation, an ergonomic semi-circular desk in sleek white and bespoke drawer units and hardwood veneer desktop options available. The outside is covered in Western Red Cedar shingles and features a fun gullwing door that opens easily with gas strut assistance. A fun but pricey home office at £12,000+.

Via Dvice

The Archipod Garden Office originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 06 Feb 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Gadgets

You may remember our recent Hello Kitty coverage for the holidays (see Hello Kitty Says Hello Holidays for a fabulous USB drive and more). Back then, Zales was all sold out of their exclusive Hello Kitty iPhone covers (above), but they have restocked for Valentine’s Day.

The Hello Kitty by Simmons Jewelry Co. Crystal iPhone Case (3G/3GS) is covered in pink, white, red, black and saffron-colored crystals and carefully crafted to accommodate all the important buttons and ports. This glitzy, look-at-me accessory costs $195 and is the perfect gift for the girliest girl you know. The crystals actually make the iPhone easier to grip — and harder to lose.

If you’re concerned about the sparkles losing their … sparkle, it’s a good idea to include crystal cleaning supplies like the Swarovski Crystal Cleaning Kit ($40 from Always-Forever.com).

Hello Kitty iPhone Covers Restocked for Valentine’s Day originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 06:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Gadgets

I’m not a big fan of snakeskin but for those that are the iPhone Tamara Runge Edition case is lovely, and very pricey, way to incorporate it into your daily wardrobe. Created as a collaboration between fashion designer Davide de Nizza and artist Stuart Hughes, the case is handmade of python leather with an 18k gold buckle that houses 35 0.5 carat flawless diamonds and a single 3 carat diamond in the center. It’s made for the iPhone but looks like it could easily house a Blackberry or any number of other cell phone brands. Available in a limited edition of only 3 for £59,995 each.

iPhone Tamara Runge originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 03 Feb 2010 08:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Gadgets

The Apple iPad has finally arrived and if history has taught us anything it’s that now we brace for the flood of accessories, attachments, and bling that is sure to follow as Apple enthusiasts around the world embellish and personalize their beloved electronic gadgets. From the outside the iPad looks like a larger, wider version of the iPhone (see all the specs and functions described in detail on our sister site Engadget) which means there’s little in the way of embellishable surfaces — just the back and that singular front button. I’m guessing we’ll be seeing some gold-plating and diamonds in the future, plus some interesting protective cases and of course engraving of all kinds.

If you’re planning to get an iPad what accessories or personalizations will you be looking for? I’m gonna aim high and dream of a stylish but simple Louis Vuitton sleeve.

The Apple iPad is Here, Now We Brace for the Bling originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 27 Jan 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Gadgets

Another diamond covered phone has been revealed. The Nokia Supreme takes a Nokia 8800 and armors it in solid platinum veneers and screws and covers it with 12.5 carats of pink diamonds. There are approximately 1225 stones set into the phone including a three-carat navigational button made of a flawless center stone. The phone has a total of 83 grams of platinum. Stuart Hughes designed the phone for Goldstriker. It comes in a granite box with a leather interior. Just three will be made and each sells for around $160,000.

[via Idex Online]

Pink Diamonds Make A Nokia Supreme originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 23 Jan 2010 11:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Gadgets, Wine

Renowned Australian industrial designer Marc Newson has collaborated once again with Dom Pérignon to create a special carrying case / cooler for the famed French champagne house. The Black Box by Marc Newson is crafted of a high-tech composite that keeps a chilled bottle of bubbly perfectly cool during traveling, while resisting wear and tear. Priced at €200 or about $285 the case is unfortunately not yet available in the U.S. “I’ve always loved Champagne, but personally I feel very close to Dom Pérignon,” Newson notes. “It is classic yet cool and inherently modern. In terms of design, the fantastic silhouette of the bottle has stood the test of time - it remains unchanged since its creation and has become an icon. That’s a very rare trait.”

Dom Pérignon Black Box By Marc Newson originally appeared on Luxist on Mon, 18 Jan 2010 15:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Gadgets, Wheels

Some say white is the new black. Some say grey is the new black, or navy, or whatever new color is hot this season. You can call us old fashioned, but to us black is still black, and always will be. And Porsche evidently agrees. The company’s industrial design subsidiary has just re-released their cutting edge P’9522 mobile phone in - you guessed it - all black.

Called, predictably enough, the Black Edition, the phone packs all the features of the P’9522 released last year - including the solid-aluminum construction and the fingerprint-reader security system. But, taking its cues from the anti-reflectant black instruments on a Porsche racing car - to say nothing of the original Porsche Design Chronograph I, the company’s first product - the phone is decked out all in low-key black.

Porsche Design P’9522 Black Edition originally appeared on Luxist on Sun, 10 Jan 2010 20:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Gadgets

Digital picture frames are old news but Casio has put a new spin on it with the Digital Art Frame recently unveiled at CES. The10.2-inch, WSVGA color LCD frame has a series of special effects that can transform snapshots into pieces that look like paintings.Users can create up to eight different styles of art from a photo: Water Color Painting, Color Pencil Sketch, Pastel Painting, Pointillism, Air Brush, Oil Painting, Gothic Oil Painting, and Fauvist Oil Painting. The device has 2GB of internal memory, two SD cards slots, a USB output, and wireless LAN connectivity. It will be available this spring but the price hasn’t been announced yet. Check out a full gallery of the effects over on Engadget.

Digital Art Frame Fancies Up Your Photos originally appeared on Luxist on Sat, 09 Jan 2010 16:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Filed under: Gadgets, Journeys

If you needed more proof of our pronounced love-hate relationship with our communication devices, the Marquis Los Cabos Resort invites its arriving guests to participate in a “BlackBerry Burial Ceremony.”

After a de rigeur welcome drink and opportunity to avail yourself of a cool towel, you head out to the beach and bury your phone in the sand.

Now, the only thing that seems worse for an electronic device than sand burial is the dreaded toilet dunking, but luckily this ceremony is just a ritual.*

First, your smart phone is placed in a protective case — a coffin, as it happens. Then, you must go at least ten minutes without your phone while the spa director teaches you how to massage your over-used hands. Try not to panic.

Finally, your dig out your phone — I’m imagining a frantic, sand-flinging scene — and then you get your phone back again to tell everyone on Facebook or Twitter what you’ve done.

*A note for the cautious! This ritual makes Sascha Segan, PC Magazine’s cell phone editor, just a bit nervous. “In general you don’t want sand or other little particles near your delicate electronic equipment and cell phones are pieces of delicate electronic equipment,” he said.

“But what about the coffin?” I asked.
“How well sealed is that coffin?” he said. “I would feel much better if you put the phone in a zip-lock baggie before you bury it.”

He suggests using the self-same bag that got your three-ounce liquids through airline security. And if you really want to bury your phone, the one to do it with is Casio Rock from Verizon. “That one is 100% sand proof.”

“Bury” Your BlackBerry in the Sand of Los Cabos originally appeared on Luxist on Wed, 06 Jan 2010 14:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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