Vertu

Nokia spin-off plans $10,000 'luxury' Android phone

If you were planning to drop several thousands of dollars on a "luxury smartphone," what operating system would you insist such an elite device rock?

According to one Russian blogger claiming knowledge of British snobphone maker Vertu's plans, the company -- which was once a division of Nokia before the company sold all but 10 percent of it last year -- is looking to launch a fancy Android phone starting at 3,000 euros and running as high as $10,000 if you want a model made from unobtainium or some such silliness, I suppose.… Read more

Nokia: Adieu, Vertu luxury line. Hello, Scalado

Nokia has sold off its luxury mobile phone brand Vertu.

The company said today that EQT VI, a private equity group in Northern Europe, has acquired Vertu. The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but after it closes at the end of the second quarter, Nokia plans to hold a 10 percent minority stake in the brand.

Back in April, Nokia was rumored to be mulling a Vertu sale. At that time, the company was reportedly being wooed by another private equity group for a deal valued at $265 million.

Vertu came on the mobile scene in 1998, and … Read more

Nokia looking to unload Vertu brand?

Nokia is reportedly looking to sell its luxury brand Vertu to a private equity group for about 200 million euros, or about $265 million.

The once-dominant cell phone maker is in advanced negotiations with Permira to unload the U.K.-based subsidiary, which is best known for offering $20,000 cell phones, the Financial Times reported today (subscription required). Goldman Sachs was reportedly advising on the sale.

Following a similar move by Fitch Ratings last week, Standard & Poor's on Friday cut the rating for the Finnish mobile phone maker to "junk." The weaker rating reflects a … Read more

Got $200? Blow it all on a USB cable

Nokia's Vertu brand has already staked its claim as a luxury handset maker. Now it's getting into the lucrative accessory market with a $190 USB cable.

I know I shouldn't be so surprised. That's a drop in the bucket compared with the $20,000 price tag for Vertu's Year of the Dragon phone. Even the Vertu wall charger costs $85.

For $190, the Vertu USB cable should be capable of transferring data at warp speeds, giving excellent stock tips, and washing your dog. Alas, it's just a USB 2.0 cable and doesn't appear to have any superpowers.… Read more

Vertu's Year of the Dragon phone has roaring price

With the Lunar New Year less than three weeks away, luxury phone maker Vertu has launched a trio of phones to welcome the Year of the Dragon. Take your pick from the stainless steel and emerald; black stainless steel and ruby; or yellow gold and diamond models.

Vertu's Signature collection gets the royal treatment with precious stones and top-grade metals, plus a garish hand-engraved four-claw dragon on the battery cover.

It's not to be sniffed at; the dragon takes four craftsmen more than a day to complete the engraving. The yellow gold version is even sent to Switzerland for certification, then returns to the workshop for its precious-stone adornment. … Read more

Fisker Karma is so green, even interior uses low-carbon leather

Less than three months on the market and the Fisker Karma is already getting high praise for being "green" and luxurious. Just last month, the near $100,000 plug-in hybrid was named "Luxury Car of the Year" by BBC Top Gear magazine.

Part of what makes the Karma so luxurious is the used interior material from Bridge of Weir. The EcoStandard and EcoSport models' seat, steering wheel, dash, door casings and center console trim are all wrapped in the Scottish company's locally produced "low carbon leather," Bridge of Weir said in a press … Read more

Nokia to exit Japan by August

Two years ago, Nokia stopped supplying phones to Japanese carriers, leaving only its high-end Vertu handsets behind in Tokyo's Shibuya and Ginza locations. Now, Nokia will shut down those as well by the end of July.

Vertu is Nokia's high-end brand, with phones that cost thousands of dollars each. The handsets are also typically lacking in features, with the emphasis more on design and style than specs or performance. The phones are often decorated in precious metals or jewels.

NTT DoCoMo will cease providing the Nokia service by the end of August, according to Reuters.

If you care about Web, ignore this IPO

commentary File this one under "shameless."

After federal lawmakers concluded that Affinion Group preyed on the public, the post-transaction marketer is now asking the public to become an investor. Last month, Stamford, Conn.,-based Affinion filed for an initial public offering.

Affinion said in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission that it is seeking to raise $400 million. According to The Wall Street Journal, Affinion has yet to set a price range or date for its IPO.

Last year, U.S. lawmakers launched an extensive investigation and found that the practices employed by Affinion--as well as … Read more

The 404 585: Where we're having a 4G with the HTC Evo (podcast)

Three's a crowd and four's a party, but what do you call five tech geeks and an HTC Evo in a frozen meat locker? We'll just call it a 4G (pronounced fourgie) until we come up with something better. It's officially time for another Natali Del Conte Thursday, but we also have CNET smartphone expert Bonnie Cha in the studio to tell us all about her full review of the HTC Evo 4G from Sprint.

Bonnie just got back from a short trip to Philadelphia to test out Sprint's 4G network, since the limited coverage … Read more