Philips’ luxury end of LED backlit LCD television sets the company calls Aurea, expands on its Ambilight technology.
While Ambilight is not something of a novelty, the new 42-inch Full HD TV sets not only have light emanating from the back onto the walls of your room, but the light also spills over onto the TV’s white casing. The overall effect is a kaleidoscopic halo around your TV sets, which the company says, offers a more immersive cinematic viewing experience, and Philips even has many research papers from universities in Eindhoven, Munich and New York to back up their claims. And while the TV is off or on standby mode, you can select from a few color palettes to create a loungy ambience in your living space. Otherwise, its specifications are comparable with models of other notable makers of LCD TVs. Price : US$5,760.
Whirlpool has shown of its futuristic “green kitchen” concept in which 60% of the water and heat generated from appliances is “diverted” to fuel other appliances or functions in the eco-kitchen.
Through this integrated use of appliances, with the concept taking its model from the cycle of nature, it optimises the use of heat and water with processes that increase energy efficiency up to 70%.
For example, the kitchen allows you to use the heat produced by the fridge compressor, the only appliance to operate 24 hours a day, to produce hot water for the dishwasher.
Simple changes make a difference too – the refrigerator also uses a fridge “drawer”, instead of the normal cabinet. This new design prevents the cold air from slipping out every time the door opens.
As well as being eco-friendly, the average savings that an owner could make from the kitchen eco-system created to adapt, reduce and recycle water, heat and energy are estimated at 24%.
Mercedes-Benz describes the F700 as “a futuristic interpretation of the classic saloon†and predicts much of the technology it previews will begin appearing on production models within the next decade as emission regulations become ever more stringent and buyer expectations are boosted by advances in other fields, most significantly those in consumer electronics.
While officials are quick to play down the relevance of the new four-door’s styling, Mercedes-Benz sources Drive spoke to suggest various themes explored within its body are likely to be developed further before being committed to production, including its bold front-end treatment which is said to preface the look of its future line-up.
More than its radically styled exterior, however, it is the one-off saloon’s compact variable compression twin-turbocharged 1.8-litre four-cylinder DiesOtto petrol engine that Mercedes-Benz promises will have the biggest bearing on its future model range.
The new DiesOtto engine is claimed to offer the power, smoothness and low emissions of a typical petrol engine in combination with the torque, flexibility and frugal properties of a diesel. The new engine is capable of switching between two distinctively different ignition processes depending on the driving conditions.
On September 27, Sanrio announced plans to begin selling solid gold Hello Kitty playing cards, which the company will make available through its online shop beginning October 3.
Each of the 54 cards (2 jokers included) measures 58 x 89 mm and is made from 0.73 gram of 99.99% pure gold.
Pressed to a thickness of 7 microns with precision rolling technology developed by the Mitsubishi Materials Corporation, the cards are sealed in a protective laminate printed with colorful designs that depict Hello Kitty in royal dress. Continue reading →
New Age Diamonds, a Russian company specializing in the production of gem-quality synthetic diamonds, has entered the Japanese market with a new product called the “Heart-In Baby Diamond†— a synthetic diamond made from the hair of newborn babies.
The Heart-In Baby Diamond is the latest addition to the company’s “Your Personal Diamond†(YPD) line of commemorative diamonds, which are custom-made from the hair or fur of your favorite person or pet, living or departed.
Heart-In Baby Diamond prices range from 403,000 yen (US$3,500) for a 0.2-carat canary yellow diamond to 1,934,000 yen (US$17,000) for a 0.8-carat chameleon red diamond.
As Japan’s population begins to shrink, newborn babies become all the more precious and each birth is a greater cause for celebration. In addition, fewer mouths to feed results in increased amounts of disposable household wealth. New Age Diamonds appears to be capitalizing on these two factors by offering proud new parents an innovative and luxurious way to bestow gratitude on their blessed offspring.
A golden lobster were placed on display at the Ginza Tanaka jewelry store in Nagoya in 2006.
Crafted from 500 grams (1.1 lb.) of pure gold, the creature is a detailed life-sized reproduction of an Ise-ebi lobster (Japanese spiny lobster, or Panulirus japonicus). It measures 34 cm (13 in.) long and 19 cm (7 in.) tall. The asking price is 5 million yen (about US$40,000).
Ise-ebi lobsters are often bestowed as gifts on special occasions in Japan. According to a shop attendant, this golden crustacean can serve as both a celebratory offering and a good luck talisman.
Customers react in various ways when they see the realistic-looking golden lobster. Some of them say they expect it to start moving, while others say it looks delicious.
Le Chocolat features a selection of Lake Forest Confections gourmet chocolates, selected by the confectioners master candy maker, as well as an arrangement of magnificent jewelry from Simon’s personal jewelry and gemstone vault. The price tag is $1,500,000. The jewelry that comes along with the box of chocolates includes a “priceless†collection of natural yellow and blue diamonds, emeralds, and sapphires from Simons Jewelers.
2/ Pay $1.3 Million for a Cell Phone
Designed by Peter Aloisson, the Diamond Crypto Smartphone is made out of platinum and rose gold. It has over 80 diamonds on it. There are 50 diamonds going up and down the sides (10 are blue diamonds), the navigation key has 28 diamonds surrounding it and the navigation button is actually a 1/2 carat diamond. The buttons on the sides are suppose to be diamonds too. It costs $1.3 million, so that phone better work!
3/ Pay $163,000 for Hello Kitty
Who doesn’t love Hello Kitty? Sanrio came out with a platinum Hello Kitty. Its W3.8xH5.6cm and weighs 590g. The miniature Hello Kitty comes with seven hair ribbons made of gems including diamond, ruby, pink sapphire, amethyst and blue topaz. The figurine comes with a price tag of ¥18,9-million — ($163,000 US) a record high in Hello Kitty’s extensive line-up. Only one set is available, which went on sale on December 2006 at the Mitsukoshi department store in Tokyo.
4/ Pay $1,000 for a Pizza
The world’s most expensive pizza was made by Nino’s Bellissima Pizza (located in New York City). The 12-inch pizza is topped with creme fraiche, chives, eight ounces of four different kinds of Petrossian caviar, four ounces of thinly sliced Maine lobster tail, salmon roe, and a little bit of wasabi to complement all the fish. The pizza is cut into eight… that is a mere $125 for each serving.
5/ Pay $1.63 Million for a Purse
On June 14, 2007, Ginza Tanaka showcased this diamond platinum bag at a fashion show in Tokyo. The handbag is shaped out of pure platinum and studded with 2,182 diamonds totaling 208 carats. The handbag has a brilliant price tag of $1.63 million.
6/ Pay $225,000 for Tequila
Can you imagine spending $225,000 on a beverage? On July 20, 2006, Tequila Ley .925 sold a single Platinum and White Gold tequila bottle for $225,000 to a private collector in Mexico City, Mexico. The liquor was made out of 100% blue Agave liquid and was aged for six years. The company won the Guinness Book of World Records title for the most expensive bottle of liquor sold in the world. For those of us who can’t afford the Platinum bottle, the company also sells the Gold and Platinum bottle for $150,000 and the Silver & Gold bottle for $25,000.
7/ Pay $68,000 for a Cricket Ball
This diamond studded cricket ball was presented to the Best Indian and Best International players at the 2007 Cricket World Cup tournament. The diamond cricket ball was created by Gitanjali Gems Limited. Each diamond ball is studded with 5,728 pieces of diamonds with a worth of approximately $68,500.
8/ Pay $130,000 for a TV
Yes, instead of buying a new house, a few cars, or feeding a starving country… buy this TV. The Yalos Diamond LCD TV costs $130,000, but its really worth it. You see, the LCD TV is plated in white gold and encrusted with 20 carats worth of diamonds. A TV encrusted with diamonds… just what the world need it.
9/ Pay $14,000 for a Tea Bag
PG Tips is a British company that makes tea. Boodles jewelers (an exclusive jeweller based in the UK) made a diamond teabag to celebrate PG Tips 75th birthday. The tea bag was hand-crafted using 280 diamonds. The tea bag is valued at around $14,000.
10/ Pay $41,000 for a Toy
Japan’s Ginza Tanaka Jewelers and toymaker Bandai Co. unveiled a miniature version of Japan’s famous animated robot character – “Gundam.†Gundum is one of the longest running Japense animation series. The figurine weighs in at 1,400 grams (45oz) and stands 13cm (5″) tall. He is made of pure platinum which explains its name “Gundam Fixed Platinum.†At today’s prices, melted down, he would go for $41,468!
11/ Pay $225,000 for a Parking Spot
Well, this one you might actually need if you live in Manhattan, but for $225,000 you better get yourself a FERRARI and live elsewhere! ABC.com reports “…. in space-starved Manhattan, a parking space is considered prime real estate. There’s actually a waiting list for the $225,000 spot.†People who don’t even own cars are buying parking spaces as investments to flip.
When nature calls at the beachside Mumin Papa Cafe in the city of Akashi (Hyogo prefecture), patrons have the luxury of using an underwater restroom built into the side of a giant aquarium filled with exotic fish and a sea turtle that likes to watch. According to the cafe owner, the 30-million-yen ($270,000) sub-aquatic restroom is designed to recreate the pleasant sensation of relieving yourself while swimming in the ocean. Unfortunately for male patrons, however, the submerged toilet is for women only. When asked about the voyeuristic turtle, the owner admits it is male and a bit of a letch.
Coming from the house of Sanrio, is this lovely Hello Kitty pendant shining in yellow gold. This mouth less cat has long since turned in to a global icon of cuteness and is all the rage these days among children and pretty young women.
So ladies, don’t shy from wearing a Hello Kitty piece of jewelry. This one is specially made for grown ups. Sporting a diamond on her left hand, she looks sober with that bow on her head. Made of pure 24 karat gold and suspended from a gold chain, she can perch on your neckline for 48,500 yen ($485).
GIORGIO ARMANI is among the designers who will be launching limited edition watches to celebrate the opening of Heathrow’s Terminal 5 later this month. Designed exclusively for the launch, the designer is unveiling three new designs that will be sold at the terminal’s World Duty Free store.
The designs, which include an Emporio Armani Gentleman’s stainless steel watch and two Emporio Armani ladies watches, will sit alongside five new watches from Burberry Endurance and Michael Kors, as well as designsfrom Breil, Sekonda, Toy Watch and Casio G-shock.
Touted to be the most exclusive and the most expensive set of backgammon set ever sold, is this Rare Italian Backgammon Set by Tomasso Barbi. Not much is known about this piece de art except that is crafted from Exquisite brass and burled wood
Daphna Simon, an Israeli-based designer and artist, is making her American debut sharing her love of nature with her new collection, ‘Untamed Jewels’, at West Hollywood’s Roseark.
Her gorgeous 18K gold interpretations of both animals and the natural environment are stunning.
The three-dimensional jewelry is meant to interact with the wearer, completing its representation of the grizzly bear, leopard or other chosen character. Whether you are looking for earrings, bangles, necklaces or rings, Daphna‘s distinctive style is bound to speak to you. Continue reading →
Originally created by designers Ris and Selldorf during 1969-1971 as an outdoor model for sunbathing and relaxation, the rare Sunball lounge chair is vintage classic that brings the essence of the flower generation back into your living room.
With two movable spherical shells, which can be opened and closed, the lounge chair made in lacquered fiberglass, reinforced polyester, ABS plastic, aluminum and fabric, is an ideal indulgence for people who like their grass and have it too! I mean just look at the color and the size of the thing.
Once you’re stoned, you could spend hours inside it pondering over many a kaleidoscopic visions only weed can bring about. this vintage beauty could be yours for a cool $60,000.
Have you ever been to a restaurant serving exotic foods and felt lost while ordering from the list of strange dishes spelt before you on the menu card? A few days back, we were talking about Conceptic, an Israeli start-up company that installed the e-menu options in pubs, their popular sushi bars and the family restaurants.
Now, TEC Japan has created Tobidasu Menu that is embedded into the restaurant table to present 3-D images of items as the customer browses the menu list with the touch of the finger. The Tobidasu 3D Table menu can also perform a few tricks.
After removing a hamburger bun placed on the menu, a delicious beef patty with all the trimmings suddenly pops up. While eating out, if you find some probs in understanding what the heck is Yakitori chicken or Tonkotsu Noodle Soup, then this 3D menu could come to your visual aid.
2008 marks the tenth anniversary of Vertu and to mark the occasion they have released a special collection of monogrammed Constellations. The Monogram Constellation collection feature a special fine grain leather which is monogrammed with the Vertu V in a process which takes four hours to finish each hide which is then finished with a special protective layer. Five variants will be available in Pewter, Green, Red, Skye Blue or Cerise colored leathers, the collection launches on April 1st.
IceLink is showing off a new version of their bling-laden six-time zone watch at Baselworld. The watch has a the same basic style as previous models, in an 18K pink or white gold case with six carats of diamonds spread out over the face.
This one has a high fidget factor. There are diamonds in the middle left tank that float in a mysterious liquid known as IceFuel. The bottom left tank features the gold IceLink lion in a calendar feature. The rest of the tanks feature four different time zones (three are labeled, New York, Tokyo and Moscow) in different styles.
The dial is mother of pearl and the band is black crocodile. While the floating flurry of diamonds is cool to look, I think it would be hard to respect someone I met who was wearing this watch. It makes a distinctive statement, I’m just not sure it is a statement most people want to make. It sells for $54,500.
The so-called Freedom Ship, a floating city of thousands, is an idea that has been tossed around for a while.
Now the Freedom Ship company has a new set of designs for the floating urban space, which looks sort of like a giant mall parking lot, and sort of like a really giant Love Boat.
Here you can see the new design of the ship. The designers estimate they’ll have it built in three years. Here are some of the specs on this giant ship city. Continue reading →
The new collections unveil three of the most sought after cell phones in gold and platinum.
On offer are the Nokia 7900 Prism, Nokia 8800 Arte and the Samsung Armani P520, all available in 24 ct gold and platinum editions.
While Nokia 7900 costs $906, Nokia 8800 Arte costs $1812, almost double the cost of Nokia 7900 and Samsung Armani P520 retails for a starting price of $1208.
72.22-carat diamond, so large it could fill a tablespoon, is expected to bring up to $13 million when it goes on the auction block next month.
Cut from an original rough diamond, the D-color, flawless gem is prized for its pear shape and GIA-graded excellent polish and symmetry.
D-color is actually colorless and considered the most highly valued. It was previewed in Manhattan on Monday and will be offered on April 10 at Sotheby’s Hong Kong galleries, which estimates its value at $10 million to $13 million. Continue reading →
Ferrari and Condé Nast will be publishing a magazine just for Ferrari owners.
This new publication, with its philosophy of going after a “very rarefied part of the market,” undoubtedly will be a magnet to upscale global advertisers.
Ferrari is bundling all of its previous publications under this new umbrella.
Philips’ luxury end of LED backlit LCD television sets the company calls Aurea, expands on its Ambilight technology.
The overall effect is a kaleidoscopic halo around your TV sets, which the company says, offers a more immersive cinematic viewing experience, and Philips even has many research papers from universities in Eindhoven, Munich and New York to back up their claims.
And while the TV is off or on standby mode, you can select from a few color palettes to create a loungy ambience in your living space. Otherwise, its specifications are comparable with models of other notable makers of LCD TVs. Price : US$5,760.
