Vinayak Nath’s Blog on Gadgets and Gizmos

Consumer Electronics Heads Style Direction

Through a new strategic alliance, starting with the Giorgio Armani-Samsung mobile phone, the two companies plan to launch an innovative range of portable and home consumer electronics products as part of the Giorgio Armani, Emporio Armani and Armani/Casa lifestyles, founded on the combination of Giorgio Armani’s design aesthetic and Samsung’s technology.

Samsung Readies Armani Cell Phone, TV-Set

The first product jointly created by the design firm and the electronics conglomerate will be Armani-Samsung P520 mobile phone, which will utilize Samsung’s latest technologies along with design by Giorgio Armani.

The Samsung P520 cell phone features 2.6” QVGA (240×320) touch-screen, tri-band GSM (900MHz, 1800MHz, 1900MHz) with GPRS and EDGE support, built-in digital media player with H.263, AAC+/MP3/WMA, MPEG4, AAC and e-AAC+ support, 3MP camera, Internet browser, Bluetooth 2.0, microSD memory card slot and other modern features. The phone will be credit-card sized (87.5mm x 54.5mm), will be only 10.5mm (0.4”) thick and will have weight of just 85 grams (2.99 ounces)

Given that Armani-Samsung P520 will have large touch screen, it will inevitably be compared to Apple’s iPhone and LG’s Prada. The device, however, will be a little smaller than LG’s and considerably smaller and lighter than the iPhone. Unlike the rivals, the P520 will have a vibration feature that will cause immediate mild vibration when users touch icons on the display.

A specially designed Giorgio Armani leather carrying case is also included for protection.

The new mobile phone will be available at Giorgio Armani’s flagship stores and selected mobile phone shops in major European countries from November 2007. The price of the device will be €650 ($916).

The Armani/Casa-Samsung luxury LCD television will be unveiled in January 2008. Details and pricing remains unknown