Philips/Swarovski Active Crystals

Juniper Foo | Aug 27, 2007

This isn't either company's first high tech-high fashion collaboration. Loewe recently showcased its Swarovski-studded 32-inch offering in limited quantities worldwide. So fraternizing with the tech elite is by no means new to Swarosvki. Nor is going bling a surprise outing for Philips which recently went upmarket with a 42-inch flat TV encrusted with 2,250 diamonds. Yes, count that.

So by the time Philips and Swarovski came around to Asia with its Active Crystals, we were more interested in just how rich the price tags would be. If there's one common denominator for high tech-high fashion gizmos, it's the sticker shock.

We were also surprised that given the whole luxury slant here, Philips could certainly have afforded more than just measly 1GB for its memory keys. After all, a 1GB thumbdrive in the market costs about S$20-S$25, while a 4GB is just a scant S$50-S$65. Still, for Swarovski collectors and peripheral hounds who like their USB storage and headsets to look more fashion wear than tech gear, here's what you fork out for some sparklies.

• Icon earphones US$79
• Space earphones US$99
• Mirage earphones US$128
• Amazone earphones US$148
• Heart Ware USB memory key (1GB) US$178
• Heart Beat USB memory key (1GB) US$178
• Lock In USB memory key (1GB) US$178
• Lock Out USB memory key (1GB) US$178

According to Philips in Singapore, the above items are slated for shipping to Korea, Australia and New Zealand in August; Singapore, Hong Kong and Dubai by end August; Malaysia, Thailand, the Philippines and Taiwan in mid-September and Indonesia in October.

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