The 2nd generation of the Apple iPhone, dubbed the 3G, comes out today. One of the first accessories people will buy is a case so they can protect their new tech toy. You may want to consider checking out a carbon fiber leather case from the guys at Case-Mate.
Carbon Fiber Leather
I was reading the press release when it came into my inbox, and I had to a do double take…carbon fiber leather…I had never heard of that before. I tried to contact the company to have some questions answered regarding the material, but nobody would get back to me. From what I’ve researched, the fiber is used as a lubiracant, which keeps the leather soft. According to Case Mate’s website, the material is only used in high-end cars like the Techart Porsche, and high-end cell phones like the Vertu. The use of carbon makes it feel more like nylon over leather, but it gives it a good grippy feel.
The carbon fiber leather is wrapped around a impact resistant plastic case, and also has a screen protector. Case Mate offers the carbon fiber leather in both silver and black. Retail prices come in at $50.
Update 7/22/08: Case-Mate is in the process of sending us one of these, so we’ll have a hands-on review soon. Stay tuned by subscribing to our RSS feed or subscribing by e-mail.
LG has a new ‘Black Label’ series of phones which currently includes the Chocolate, the Shine, and the Secret. The Black Label Series represents a premium line of highly stylish handsets, and the Secret definitely fits that model. One quick thing to note is the Secret is not available in the US, you can find a list of available countries (it pretty much seems to be everywhere else) on LG’s micro site. I did find a bunch of unlocked LG Secret’s on eBay, so that is an option if you want to bring one into the US.
The reason we’re most interested in the Secret Black Label Series handset is because of the use of carbon fiber (or carbon fibre overseas) on the phone. The phone features a carbon fiber backing with a scratch resistant protector. LG points it out nicely:
Strong enough to resist scratches yet appealing to the senses of fashionable people, Carbon Fibre is set to emerge as the keyword for premium designs. It’s a unique fashion point of LG Secret, style that lasts.
I’m not 100% sure what it is, but based on Engadget español’s unboxing pictures, it looks to come with some sort of carbon fiber key chain type of unit as well:
The design of the phone is gorgeous, outside of the carbon fiber, it utilizes metal, glass, and fake leather to give it a real unique and high-end look.
Let’s cover some of the core features that stand out the most:
5 Megapixel Camera/Slow Motion Video
While the Secret is a thin phone, it still features a high quality 5mp camera. On top of that, it offers high-speed 120 fps video recording, so you can take some really nice slow motion shots. Here’s an example that CNet UK did from their review of the phone:
On top of this, it also does DivX recording and playback. This will allow you to record some really high quality stuff in a small compressed file size.
Auto Rotating Display
The auto rotating display works by using an accelerometer inside the phone. This allows the screen to adjust its view depending on how you’re holding the phone. Extremely useful if you’re watching a video. Another neat utilization of the technology is with games, where it has a Nintendo Wii like feel. One of the games allows you to fish by “fishing” with the phone itself.
Google Package
We all don’t know what we’d do without Google? The Secret has some Google functionality built right into the phone that allow you to do things like search, use Google Maps, upload directly to YouTube, and blog.
Touch Navigation
The Secret features a touch navigation, but note that it’s specifically one menu section that is most commonly used. The rest of the phone doesn’t use the touch navigation, and was one of the gripes from some of the reviews out there.
Tempered Glass
The use of tempered glass on the phone means it should be really durable, and you can expect it to last. It’s scratch resistant, and you can literally take a hammer to it (although I don’t recommend it!) without doing any damage.
Video Reviews
Here’s a few video reviews that I’ve found which you may find useful:
CNet UK
Stuff.tv
Stuff thought the phone was sexy, but had some complaints regarding the unresponsiveness of the touch screen. You can see in the video what the host is talking about, and I could definitely understand that becoming pretty annoying.
If you’ve got your dull gloss black PS3 just sitting there, consider giving it a sleek carbon fiber look. I found a couple of companies that offer skin kits (using vinyl decals) that allow you to give your PS3 that CF look you’ve been dying to get. Of the two, one seems like it looks a lot better:
The above kit is a 21-piece kit that covers the PS3 as well as 2 controllers.
Easy to install with online application instructions.
Digitally designed & cut for a very precise, PERFECT FIT.
Will not fade, crack, peel, melt or fall off.
Will last for years but can also be removed without damaging the surface.
Does not cover any vent holes and will not void your warranty.
This can all be had for under $20 shipped. There are other kits that I saw, but it looked like it had a huge weave pattern, and didn’t look as realistic as this. I’d recommend taking a look at all of the offerings on eBay to see what’s available. Also, don’t forget to make sure and check out the video game section of our Carbon Fiber Gear Store.
Technology company Acer has a special series of laptops that they call the Ferrari series. There are three versions, considered their high-end notebooks, the Ferrari 1000, Ferrari 1100, and Ferrari 5000. As you may have guessed it, all of the laptops feature a carbon fiber case, and look ridiculously sexy.
The Ferrari 1000 is an ultra-portable notebook with a 12.1″ screen. It features an AMD Turion dual core processor, 160GB SATA hard drive, and ATI Radeon Xpress 1150 integrated graphics.
The Ferrari 1100 is also an ultra-portable notebook in a 12.1″ form factor…weighing in at only 1.95kg. With bluetooth, a 64-bit AMD Turion dual-core processor, and ATI Radeon X1270 graphics, this will fly. Combined with the carbon fiber cover and matte black velvety texture with special-edition Ferrari peripherals…you will be computing in utmost style.
The Ferrari 5000 is the big dog in the lineup. With a complete light-weight carbon fiber case, and a carbon fiber racing stripe…you will be inspired. An upgraded ATI Mobility Radio X1600, AMD Turion 64 X2 processor, and a 15.4″ monitor, you can game with the best of them. It even included an HDMI port, HD-DVD drive, and a built-in webcam.
This product has not yet been officially announced by Asus, so I don’t have anything in terms of specs…but I do have pictures that were snagged from the CeBit show in Germany.
I’ll be sure to post more information once I get it.
If you happen to be in Turkey, and have the itch for a carbon fiber wrapped LCD TV hanging from your wall, then you’re in luck. Due to market demand in Turkey, Toshiba created a small batch of TV’s from the Regza line with a carbon fiber finish:
Other than the carbon fiber surround, there is nothing else different with the TV’s…oh, other than the $1,000 premium you’ll pay for the exclusive CF goodness. There are no plans to mass market the TV, so unless you go to an exclusive dealer in Turkey, don’t expect to find one at your local Best Buy.
I happen to love the look of a carbon fiber weave. That’s why the background on my computer is carbon fiber, and you can do the same. I’ve compiled a few links that feature carbon fiber desktop wallpapers…just click on the images to get to the page where you can download the wallpaper:
Ebin Texture 1
Ebin Texture 2
This is my favorite one, and what I use as my background:
We all know how easily some of the iPods can get scratched up, and how ugly that looks. That’s why Jason from C6 MFG decided to do something about it. He went out and created a case made out of real aerospace carbon fiber, aluminum, and stainless steel screws. It was so cool that everybody he showed it to wanted one, so he decided to make more and sell them:
On top of the case, you get a stainless steel belt clip and a clear cling-on screen protector. The Nano case sells for $39.99 and the video iPod case sells for $49.99 since it’s slightly bigger. Note that this is for the first gen Nano and the 5G video iPod. Both can be ordered here.
