Jasper Morrison-inspired Samsung E590

What does a leading industrial designer and one of the world's largest mobile phone manufacturers have in common? A mobile phone--the SGH-E590.

Born in London in 1959 and a graduate of Design with a degree from Kingston (no, not that Kingston) Polytechnic Design School, Jasper Morrison should be a familiar name in the industrial design circle.

His most recent involvement saw the birth of the SGH-E590 mobile device, in a partnership with Samsung Electronics. The triband candy-bar phone comes with a 3.2-megapixel autofocus camera and half-shutter capability.

While we cannot comprehend how "the mobile phone provides dual face; one side features phone keypad and LCD screen while the other side is outfitted with dedicated camera functions" is in any way "true to Jasper Morrison's witty sense", the bundled bean bag which acts as a tripod for the handset sounds like fun.

According to the press release, the SGH-E590 will be launched in Europe, China and Southeast Asia in June, and be available in two colors: Noble Black and Snow Silver.

It's official, Apple iPhone on June 29

The time has come for all rumors about the launch date of the Apple iPhone to rest in peace. Apple has made it official on its Web site that the highly anticipated handset will be available on June 29.

The news doesn't apply to us sods in Asia, but hey, we could always butter up our stateside friends to get hold of a unit for us. Mark the date down on your calendar and, for these 20 odd days, tease yourselves with the iPhone ads on Apple's Web site here.

Nokia 8600 Luna: Fragile, this side up?

Nokia likens the Luna with a smoked glass cover over its keypad to a fine piece of jewelry. Well said, but what happens if we accidentally dropped the phone? What goes where?

In a query to Nokia, the Finnish company reverted saying that "the Nokia 8600 Luna has undergone the same stringent durability testing as all of Nokia's more conventional devices, and the hardened mineral glass construction, featuring anti-splinter film and a fingerprint-resistant coating, has proven itself to be reliable and robust".

However, the Luna "should still be treated with the same level of care that one would give a fine piece of jewelry, for example".

That's a mouthful of information to digest though it basically means the material is less likely to experience chipping and sticky fingerprints. But there's no word on what happens if we were to drop the phone.

The Luna isn't the first Nokia phone to feature unique materials on the device. The Nokia 8910, announced a couple of years back, uses titanium, and a number of stainless steel mobiles such as the 6300 and the 8800 Sirocco have made their way into the hearts, and wallets, of consumers. Latest in the lineup is the 8600 Luna that's crafted with opaque smoked glass and soft-touch stainless steel.

The 8600 Luna is expected to ship in the second quarter of 2007, which means it should be some time really soon, and will come with a premium leather pouch.

Click here for more details.

Cell phones dangles aren't cute anymore

Leave it to the Japanese to make the world's most bizarre cell phone dangle. On Strapya-world.com, a Japanese Web site bursting at the seams with ridiculous cell phone accessories, the number three best-selling cell phone dangle at the moment resembles a tiny, golden version of something you'd find in your toilet (yes, you heard me correctly).

Please use the above link carefully as it contains some language that wouldn't go over well with your kindergarten teacher.

Though the Web site proudly proclaims that "unko" (as the Japanese call it) also means "a lucky kid," I can't help but think the whole thing is terribly wrong. But I guess I'm that one that's wrong as apparently over two million of the little things have been sold (cue Beavis and Butt-Head snicker).

The unko is available in a variety of colors, some of which have little happy faces. Prices range from just US$1.98 to up to US$18 for a dangle that comes with a red cushion and a fortune (again, you heard me correctly).

And don't fret, shutterbugs and gamers, as the unko also works with cameras and Nintendo Wii remotes.

Picture credit: Strapya-world.com
Via CNET

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