Versace Unique is the fashion designer’s first step into the world of touchscreen handhelds, and just like its previous phones, it’s pretty high-end.

ModeLabs, a company with significant experience in building lush mobile phones, colborated with the Italian fashion company, on the Unique, putting its mark on the original design. LG was responsible with putting together the innards, that include the 3-inch display and a 5 megapixel camera. The Versace Unique features Dolby Surround mobile technology that’s bound to make listening to music a pleasurable experience, 3G, email client and media player.

Since we’re talking about a fashion accessory rather than about a technological achievement, Versace’s first touchscreen phone scores more points in the design departament. It has a classy sapphire crystal screen, 18-karat gold plating, and hand-crafted genuine leather, with an embossed Medusa head.

You can expect to find the Versace Unique, in luxury shops, starting next month.

via Engadget

The CVSL-M48, a.k.a. The Jaguar tries to combine entertainment anc communication functionality in a tight stylish package that fits on your wrist.

The Jaguar might look like just another nicely designed wristwatch, but it’s actually a mobile phone designed as a watch. Like most Chinese handhelds, it features 2 SIM card slots, as well as 1 Gb of memory, a full keypad, and two integrated speakers, so you don’t always have to keep the watch near your ear, when you receive a call.

A very important thing about the Jaguar is that it supports the four standard GSM frequencies (850 Mhz, 900 Mhz, 1800 Mhz and 1900 Mhz), which means it can be used anywhere around the world. It also features touchscreen display and comes with a Bluetooth headset, a pair of headphones and two rechargeable batteries.

You can order your Jaguar phone-watch at Chinavision

Looking a lot like the old Nokia Communicator, the new NEC Docomo Pro N-08B looks a lot more like a mini laptop, rather than a mobile phone.

Set to launch under NEC’s Docomo Pro series, the new N-08B features a large, 4.6 inch display, and full QWERTY keyboard, both in a 80×180×18.1 body. As far as weight goes, the new NEC handheld is 300 grams heavy. Couple that with WIFI connectivity and POP3/SMTP email service, and the NEC Docomo Pro N-08B feels a lot like a small laptop.

The “Communicator” style handheld offers 1,000 hours of stand-by and over 350 minutes of talk time. It will be powered by the Windows CE operating system, and you’ll be able to get your hands on it, in August. Now info on pricing, so far.

via PC Mag

T-Mobile has announced it will be distributing the new Android-powered phone, dveloped by ASUS, in collaboration with GPS-device specialist, Garmin.

Garminfone was announced late last month, and T-Mobile has announced it will be available in June, for $199, with a two-year agreement. This collaborative effort of ASUS and Garmin features a 3.5 inch touchscreen display, a 3 megapixel camera, GPS, and Garmin’s own custom UI, meant to facilitate in-car use.

Garminfone obviously focuses on GPS technology, and it will offer users real-life weather and traffic updates, auto re-routing and access to Garmin’s huge points of interest database. Pre-order isn’t yet available, but the Garminfone’s custom features are bound to make it a big hit among drivers.

I’m not to big on square phones like the upcoming Motorola Flipout, but the Android operation system is definitely a positive.

Announced earlier as the Twist, a name borrowed from rival Nokia Twist, a phone that ironically enough, has relatively the same shape, the Flipout will apparently be based on the Android OS. Though still just a rumored handheld, the Motorola Flipout is scheduled to hit retailers in three different colors (black, green and pink) that make it obvious it will be targeting the female clientele.

The squarish Flipout already has a set of unofficial specs: a 2.8 inch display, 3.1 megapixel camera, 700 Mhz cpu, GPS technology and Motorola’s proprietary BLUR UI technology. Unfortunately, we’ll have to wait a while for pricing and release date.

via Electronista

The Nokia N8 hasn’t even been launched yet, and the Chinese have already launched a 1:1 replica. These guys sure work fast.

But, like most Shanzhai, the Chinese N8 doesn’t come close to the original, as far as technical specifications are concerned. It has a 3.2 touchscreen with a 240×400 inch resolution, WAP, GPRS, FM radio, Bluetooth, webcam and Java support. Battery life ranges between 3 and 5 hours of talk time and 8 to 12 days, in stand-by mode.

But the N8 replica has no WIFI, 3G, Symbian OS, and we can’t even mention the 12 megapixel Carl Zeiss sensor. The 75 euro price tag seems pretty reasonable, and accessories are even cheaper: 3 euro for a second battery, 2 euro for a 4 Gb SD card, and 6 euro for a Bluetooth headset. Still, judging by its features, I’m not sure it’s worth it.

Check out more photos of the N8 replica, after the break.

via 0755gf

Those huge keys can be a bit misleading, but that is neither a pocket calculator, nor a remote control. It’s actually a mobile phone for the elderly.

Suddenly, those huge buttons make a little sense, right? They’re for people who’s eyesight isn’t what it used to be, and it saves the time they’d spent looking for their glasses. The Senior Citizen phone also comes with a built-in flash light, for seeing in the dark, FM radio and, most importantly, an SOS button. This can be programmed to dial four  phone numbers and send SMS to them, in case of emergencies. When the SOS button is pressed, it also makes a loud warning sound, alerting everyone in the premises.

The Senior Citizen Phone may not have a touchscreen, or all kinds of crazy apps, but it will literally save your life.

via Shopkami

The Transformers franchise is apparently as popular in China, as it is in the Western world, and the COOLK99 Transformers inspired mobile phone is the latest proof.

Featuring an all-metal structure the COOLK99 is colored in orange and black, and has the Decepticons logo on it. Design wise, the COOLK99 isn’t very impressive, but it doesn’t burn my retina either, so hardcore Transformers fans could actually get used to it.

When it comes to features, the COOLK99 Transformers phone isn’t very different from all the other Chinese phones we’ve seen lately. And by that I mean they don’t come close to the new generation smartphones, but they have enough built-in features to please the average customer. The COOLK99 has a 2.6 inch display that rotates 90 degrees, so you can make full use of the TV function. It also has an FM radio, GPS, WI-FI, Bluetooth, high definition camera and dual SIM card slots.

You probably won’t spot the COOLK99 Transformers phone in Western shops, anytime soon (or ever, for that matter), but you ca at least soak your eyes in a few more photos, after the jump.

Photos via m8cool

You didn’t think the Chinese would miss the opportunity to cash in on an event, like the Soccer World Cup, did you? The MATO Soccer Ball is a mobile phone (you guessed it) shaped like a soccer ball.

MATO is just another unimpressive Chinese mobile device that hopes to catch the eyes of soccer fans, with its ridiculous design. Shaped like a miniature soccer ball, MATO is perfect, if you need a ball for a game of finger soccer. Its features are just as modest as its design, and include a 1.3 inch display, microSD card, 1 Gb of integrated memory, camera and microphone.

The MATO Soccer Ball costs $80. A bit much for a gadget you’ll most likely throw away, after the soccer fever wears off. More photos of MATO, after the jump.

via JournalduGeek

Lenovo has finally launched LePhone, the smartphone that made such a big impression, on everybody, at CES 2010.

As announced the stylish LePhone, has first launched on Lenovo’s home turf, in China. Powered by the Android 2.1 and featuring a 3.7 inch wide AMOLED display, as well as a number of interesting features, the Lenovo LePhone is one of the few Chinese phones worth drooling over. Sadly, we’ll have to wait a while, until the Chinese manufacturer tests its mobile device in China and other emerging markets.

Lenovo announced it aims to sell millions of its phones in the next five yeras, and tens of millions, after that. The Chinese company has high hopes for the LePhone, and plans to snatch the title of number one business smartphone, from BlackBerry.

via WSJ