iPhone Apps

For Collectors from Sotheby's

Sotheby's has a new application for the iPhone and iPad. Whether you're an experienced or new collector, relying on this auction house's app is one of the best ways to keep informed about the art market, but more importantly about artists and art trends. Go to the iTunes App store, dowload the free app and here's what you will get: the latest podcasts, a chance to browse catalogues for upcoming sales and view auction results. If you are interested in placing a bid, you can search upcoming lots, zoom in for a closer look, and leave an absentee bid. To access either Sotheby's new app or website, be sure to log in first.

The app can be particularly informative. Its main attraction right now is a video of the opening at Tate Modern for Frieze Week where Chinese artist Ai Weiwei's installation was featured. Visitors were invited to walk on 100 million individually made porcelain sunflower seeds. If you were puzzled by newspaper reports about this installation -- referencing traditional techniques with a contemporary message --the video makes it clear. The artist was referring to the time when Mao was considered the sun and the Chinese people were "sunflower seeds." (Incidentally, now visitors have to view the installation from a bridge as health officials worried that walking on the porcelain "seeds" created too much unhealthy dust.") Relying on a video like this one gives you a sense of what is happening at the biggest event in the UK art calendar and not just prices paid at auction.

Also, keep in mind there's a new addition to Sotheby's.com. BidNow is an online bidding service available for all auctions worldwide. You can access Sotheby's mobile site from almost any web-enabled handset, including the Blackberry, Android, iPhone, iPad among others.

Tags: ai weiwei, art catalogues, art market, bidding at auctions, ipad app, ipad apps, iphone apps, sothebys

Mercedes-Benz Launches mbrace Concierge iPhone App

by Sam Abuelsamid (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets, Luxury Cars & Autos

Mercedes-Benz has just launched a significantly enhanced version of its mbrace iPhone application. Mbrace is a package of services similar to General Motors' OnStar that provides automatic 911 calls in the event of an accident, remote unlocking and other services. When it was first introduced last year the mbrace application was the first to actually integrate with the vehicle telematics system to enable many of those same services such as the remote locking/unlocking, plus vehicle and dealer location.

The new version adds instant access to Mercedes-Benz Concierge services. A tap of the screen gives the Mercedes driver instant access to an advisor to help find restaurants or hotels and send directions straight to the phone and car. When calling roadside assistance through the application, the location information is automatically transmitted to the help center. Subscribers to the mbrace service can download the application from the iTunes app store.

[Source: Mercedes-Benz]

Tags: concierge, iphone app, iPhone app store, iPhone Application, iPhone Applications, iPhone Apps, mercedes, Mercedes Benz, mercedes benz mbrace iphone app, mercedes-benz, mercedes-benz mbrace, MercedesBenz

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Haute Guide: New Fashion Phone App

by Bobbie Leigh (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets

Manhattan's Twitter world will love it. And so will every other smart shopper who doesn't have the time to do her own fashion research. The Haute Guide, a shoppers must-have, is available on iTunes for a one-time only $4.99. It is compatible with the iPhone, the iPod Touch, and the iPad. Just launched, this new app is the brainchild of Abbey Samet, Fashion Director at Macy's. "Our guide is like a personal shopper who edits the vast shopping environment in Manhattan and provides users with fashion-forward suggestions," says Samet.

Don't think a "Zagat for fashion" as Samet has taken a totally different tack. Her guide is organized by categories----Blue Jean Baby, Knock em Dead Accessories, Hamptons Weekend, Great Outdoors and much more. Within each shopping category, the App lists stores alphabetically. Another way to use the guide is by neighborhood. Let's say you find yourself in the Meatpacking District with a little free time,"the Haute Guide will direct you to the most exciting and inviting shopping environments in that area, along with a snippet of a trend or designer information," says Samet.

Another innovation, aside from up-to-the-second fashion info, is a cost-rating system so you can shop within your price range. You will need this as Samet likes top designers. Some of her fave places to shop "at the moment" are Balenciaga, new-ish Isabel Marant, All Saints, and Aloha Rag. A direct link to download is http://itunes:apple.com/us/app/haute-guide-new-york-city/id37683330?mt=8. Once you download from iTunes, you will automatically receive regular updates, seasonal finds, and announcements of store closings and new store openings,

Tags: Abbey Samet, app, app store, apps, fashion guide, high-end shopping NYC, ipad, ipad app, iphone app, iPhone app store, iPhone Apps, nyc fashion

iVIP Black is Most Expensive iPhone App

by Rigel Celeste (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Gadgets

For the most part iPhone apps are available to anybody who wants to buy and download them, but not only does Apple's iVIP Black come with the highest price tag of all its apps at $999.99 but there's a vetting process that includes a personal interview to ensure you're really a 'High Net Worth individual' before they let you install it to your phone. So what do you get for going through all that trouble? A one year membership in a concierge service that will hook you up with special VIP opportunities and deals at the touch of a button, no matter what time of day or where you are, provided you're in the UK where the service provider (iVIP Ltd.) is located. They also offer the ability to personalize your iVIP Black membership, which automatically gives you a lifetime membership and includes access to exclusive perks like entourage services and access to private islands.

No worries if you don't qualify (or are just too cheap) to spring for the full iVIP Black treatment as there's also iVIP Blue ($16.99) and iVIP Red (free), and of course there's always our free and awesome Luxist App also available for download on iTunes.

Via JustLuxe

Gallery: iVIP Black Screenshots

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Tags: apple, iphone, iphone app, iphone apps, IphoneApp, IphoneApps, itunes, ivip, most expensive, MostExpensive, vip

Art Auction Advances With Christie's iPhone Bidding App

by Tom Johansmeyer (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Auctions, Art

Okay, so it seems like Christie's is looking for any way it can to get into your wallet. Can you blame the auction house? Even with the occasional touch of good news, 2009 has generally been a dismal year, thanks to a global economic crisis that has brought the art market back down to Earth (hell, some would say six feet under it). Any business guru would tell you that when the market sucks, you need to find a new revenue stream. And, iPhone apps offer a brand new bandwagon to jump on, so why not?

This is a pretty wild development for a company that celebrated its tenth anniversary when the colonies declared independence (Christies was founded in 1766, if you couldn't figure it out). The iPhone will stand alongside the gavel, if all goes well, as the implement by which an auction is defined.

Christie's hopes that the bidding application will attract new money bidders to the auction house, ideally to pick up some of the lots that aren't moving and to possibly push prices up a bit. Think about it: if you're not into the auction scene, going to one of those things is a friggin' drag. Unless you move heaven and earth to get "approved," you're stuck in the back with the prolies – standing. That's no way to spend money! And, the dress code? If I hit it big, my first move would be to never wear a suit again. My jeans would lead to discrimination, so the iPhone app makes sense ... as long as there are wealthy versions of me out there (and I think there are).

Obviously committed to promoting how brilliant this idea is, Christie's draws a parallel to bids from its Christie's LIVE website, which accounted for 11 percent of the lots sold last year. There's no comment on what the website's been worth this year. But, let's be fair. The auction house is having trouble selling through any channel, so we can't blame innovation.

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Natalie MacLean Offers Wine Pairing On The Go

by Deidre Woollard (RSS feed) —

Filed under: Wine

These days finding a great wine is as easy as heading to your iPhone or Blackberry. There are apps that offer wine information, ways of tracking your cellar and finding out what wine to drink with what food.

One of the most interesting wine pairing apps comes from noted wine author Natalie MacLean. Her Drinks Matcher from Nat Decants doesn't just tell you whether you should choose white or red wine. Her app is far deeper and lets you either start with the food or with the wine. You've got to love an app that includes pairings for over 200 cheeses and over 100 desserts. Ever wonder what goes best with roasted marshmallows? The answer is a German Late Harvest Riesling.

The app also includes pairings for other drinks including beer, coffee and tea. It also links to the mobile version of her website so you can access wine reviews and other information. Overall there are over 380,000 pairings, with new ones added daily. The app sells for $2.99 for iPhone or BlackBerry.

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Tags: apps, iphone apps, IphoneApps, wine, wine matching, WineMatching