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Tod's Launches World's Most Expensive iPad Cases, Plus an App

Filed under: Gadgets, Handbags


Back in May we told you about the world's most expensive iPad, a ludicrous solid gold version priced at $188,000. Now famed Italian luxury goods firm Tod's is offering world's most expensive iPad case, which in this case is actually in excellent taste. The luxurious case, finished in genuine alligator, is priced at $4,900 - almost ten times the cost of Apple's un-embellished 16GB iPad itself. The one-of-a-kind accessory is handmade in Italy from the world's finest grade alligator skin, and will be available in brown, blue and tan from Tod's boutiques worldwide beginning in November. If that's a little too rich for your blood, there's also a version in buff colored calfskin for $495. Meanwhile Tod's has also launched its first iPad app, called My Life Is In This Bag.

The app allows users to enter and experience the world of Tod's and browse the brand's collections, and also showcases virtual themed lifestyles. The app reveals the contents of six stylish and sophisticated women's 'D' bags, the famed Tod's model favored by the likes of Nicole Kidman, Jennifer Garner and Jessica Alba. Along with snapshots of each bag's contents, users can journey into the different lifestyles and personalities, including that of sexy socialite Lauren Remington Platt, and discover tips such as the most spectacular destinations around the globe with an insider's guide to art and entertainment. See more images of the luxe cases and the app after the jump.

Bowers & Wilkins' Zeppelin Mini Alights

Filed under: Decor, Gadgets



You wanted a zeppelin, but the astronomical helium bills and parking space issues put you off. You were about to settle for a Zeppelin, the iPod dock from studio loudspeaker company Bowers & Wilkins, but its finely delivered sound could still be the aural equivalent of the Hindenburg: explosive. Then this arrived: a kinder, gentler -- and smaller -- Zeppelin Mini.

If you like, you can dive into the jargon and babble -- paragraphs about "slotted cones" and "long-throw motors" and "Flowport enclosure architecture." But none of that will speak to your ears the way the Zeppelin Mini's sound can: beautifully, and from various sources. The Mini will receive your iPod and iPhone, a mini-USB port will welcome your other MP3 player or PC, and an AUX input will bring your "older, legacy sources" in from the analog cold (looking at you, lovers of vinyl...).

Final flourishes include the Zeppelin Mini's docking arm swinging vertically or horizontally, you can sync your iPhone or iPod Touch while it's docked, and the Mini charges the two while it plays. And because it's smaller, you can fit it into more places -- including, when you finally get around to it, your airship zeppelin. The Mini can be acquired through Apple and other retailers for $399.00.

Munk Bogballe Workstation

Filed under: Gadgets


Apparently there's a Macbook in there somewhere, believe it or not. We've covered blinged up laptops before but this one is dolled up as a workstation, not a glitzy fashion accessory. Munk Bogballe has taken a basic Apple Macbook and added an anodized aluminum surface on the top and a European aniline leather underside, plus a sophisticatedly simple (but expensive) leather case to put it in. The 2.4Ghz Macbook underneath stays pretty much factory spec, plus 4GB of RAM and Windows XP pre-installed. £3,500

Via Engadget

Hotel Doors Go High-Tech

Filed under: Gadgets, Luxury Travel & Hotels, Services


In the near future you may get to feel like you're in a Mission Impossible movie as you check into your hotel room by first providing a fingerprint and then standing still while a camera scans your iris. High-end hotels are forever seeking the next great thing when it comes to providing their customers with the best service and security, not to mention they're also always looking for new ways to save money and be more environmentally friendly in the process. The commonly used plastic key cards are on their way out in favor new options like paper cards, cell phone frequency identification, fingerprints, and iris scans.

It will be many years before any of these new features are widely available but many hotels are already trying out (or are in the slow process of switching exclusively to) these new high-tech methods, some of which are a little controversial (i.e. privacy is a concern when handing over fingerprints). What do you think -- great idea or don't fix what isn't broken?

The Eazo Luxury PC

Filed under: Gadgets


If you're looking for tall, dark, and handsome then the Eazo tower is calling your name. It's a "luxury" PC that pulls off an elegant air of mystery and ominous technology by keeping things simple on the outside and powerful on the inside. It packs an Intel liquid-cooled 3GHz Core 2 Quad processor, 2 duplexed 8800 GTX video cards, 4GB of RAM, and both a superfast 10,000 RPM 150GB hard drive and a standard one with 500GB.

For $9,000 it's not really my taste, but then I'm not into the tuxedo look on my computers (and if I really had the choice I think I'd go with a laptop anyway).

The Nightclub That's Practically a Holodeck

Filed under: Luxury Travel & Hotels, Services


A new nightclub in London, twentyfour: london, is designed to appeal to the high-tech "wouldn't it be great if holodecks were real" side of the population: it has walls that can change and morph into whatever you want them to be, via projection technology. A canyon? You got it. A beautiful beach at midnight? You got that too. Want to ogle models strutting the catwalk? No problem. You can even bring in your own videos and pictures, so it really is "whatever you want."

Other features the high-tech nightclub offer include drinks that notify the bartender when they're empty and interactive experiences like a virtual koi pond.

Via A Luxury Travel Blog

Chinese Spend Big On Unauthorized iPhones

Filed under: Gadgets

As our friends at The Unofficial Apple Weblog have reported Apple unveiled their latest iPhone and iPod models which included the sexy new iPod touch and a drop in the prices of iPhones. Around the world the iPhone is big news even in the places that isn't supposed to be yet. An Associated Press article says that the iPhone can be bought in China although Apple isn't selling it there yet. Early adopters hungry for the latest technology are willing to pay 8,800 yuan ($1,170) for the iPhone even though the gadget doesn't function completely. The iPhone in China can make calls and send text messages, but it can't receive calls and you don't even get voicemail. The iPhone isn't set to launch in Asia until next year which at the current rate could be three or four versions from now.

The Top 10 High-Tech Luxury Cars

Filed under: Luxury Cars & Autos


One of the biggest challenges when it comes to combining technology and luxury vehicles is doing it in a way that is user-friendly, because it's about convenience, fun, and safety -- not frustration. These luxury cars can do everything from play your mp3s and DVDs to adjust automatically to treacherous driving conditions and off-road terrain. And perhaps best of all, they look good doing it.

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