Written by Administrator    Tuesday, 31 January 2012 10:35    PDF Print E-mail
Tech gifts for the most romantic day of the year
 
3D Heaven
SaMSUNG HT-D6750W 3D
€1,100
 
The HT-D6750W package comprises two slim tallboy
(1.3m) stereo front speakers which bolt together in
the middle, and a pair of similar tallboy rears. They're
joined by a small horizontal centre and a large (but
light) subwoofer, which uses a 6.5-inch woofer and
10-inch passive radiator. Samsung bills this as a 7.1
channel system, but there are no extra enclosures.
Instead the main stereo loudspeakers each sport a
separately driven, swivelling frog eye, which aims at the
ceiling (or thereabouts). That counts, apparently.
 
 
Lighter Than Air
SAMSUNG SERIES 9
€1,330
 
Before you get your hands on the Samsung Series 9 you know
it’s going to be thin and light, but it’s only when you lift it out of
the box you realise just how thin and how light it really is and how
sleek it feels. The first time you see it, you’re also amazed by how
Samsung has been able to fit in a surprising number of ports and
connectors. The company has also managed
to install a real processor to make a
laptop that gives Apple, and every
other PC maker, a run for their money.
 
 
Fast & Smart Phone
BLACKBERRY P’9981 BY PORSCHE DESIGN
€1,550
 
Underneath, the P'9981 is identical to the 9900,
featuring a 2.8" touchscreen display and a 5
megapixel camera on the back with 720p HD video
recording. There's a microSD slot, Bluetooth,
3.5G support, WiFi and GPS, all running the latest
BlackBerry 7 operating system. Most of the changes
are external, with a stainless steel case, leather back
cover and sculpted QWERTY keyboard that looks
very different from a run-of-the-mill BlackBerry. It is
slightly larger and heavier than the 9900 on which it
is based and a lot more expensive too.
 
 
Euro Aggression
DUCATI DIAVEL AMG
€22,000
 
When the product of Ducati's union with
Mercedes-AMG was unveiled at the Frankfurt
Motor Show in September it solicited a standing
ovation. The hand-built Diavel AMG Special
Edition combines Ducati's two-wheeled style
with Mercedes' impeccable performance and
precision. The cam-timing on the Diavel AMG
is set by hand, with the name of the technician
responsible engraved on the engine casing. As
you might expect, it scores high marks in both
the aesthetic and speed departments.
 
 
Mini Bond Mobile
ASTON MARTIN CYGNET
€38,000
 
The new Aston Martin Cygnet is either
a fabulously clever way to make a heap
of money and cut CO2 emissions, or an
abomination not fit to wear the iconic winged
badge. However, this is a car aimed at those
with an addiction to luxury brands and deep
enough pockets not to worry about the odd
zero here and there. The sort of person who
might spend €3000 on a made-to-measure
suit or €5000 on a handbag. Plenty of people
much cooler than I seem to think this is their
answer to their enormous car enormous
attention problems.
 
Glamour Gift
GHD SCARLET SET
€200
 
The new GHD limited edition scarlet
collection set oozes 20's glamour and
style. It's sophisticated, classy and a
perfect gift for any woman. Forget faking
compliments on bad hair days, with
these new limited edition straightners
she will always look sleek and frizz free.
The set includes a GHD gold classic
styler with delicious red plates, a
protective plate guard, scarlet inspired
heat resistant styler roll bag and two
sectioning clips.
 
 
Star Phone
VERTU CONSTELLATION
€4,720
 
The World’s poshest phone purveyor Vertu has
taken a break from international jetsetting to
unveil its first touchscreen mobile. Wrought
from fine metals and leather and probably
handwashed with unicorn tears, it’s got a 3.5-
inch AMOLED display, A-GPS, 3G and Wi-Fi,
and runs cutting-edge OS Symbian. Bespoke,
lavishly handcrafted services include Select,
which finds high-class things in any locale,
Concierge, which gets you access to them, and
a Berry Bros “pocket sommelier”, if you please.
 
Italian Style
VESPA GTS SUPER
€5,210
 
The Vespa GTS 125 SuperSport is a blend
of distinctiveness and character, as well
as sportiness and performance. The 300
electronic injection engine brings out
maximum aggressiveness, whether in the
city or on country roads. The dedicated
graphics and the sport saddle with white
piping and thermobonding complete the
sporty look of the Vespa GTS SuperSport. The
Sport versions of the Vespa GTS Super and
Vespa S offer a modern interpretation of an
extraordinary competition heritage.
 
Ultimate Fashion Accessory
FIAT 500 BY GUCCI
€17,000
 
The tiny city car has been given a makeover by
Gucci. There are two models to choose from,
either in black or white, with bumper trim, wing
mirror caps and shoulderline all highlighted
in chrome. Black cars get an interior trimmed
in black and white, while white cars get black
interior trim. Special Gucci-branded 16-inch
alloys which hide green-painted brake calipers
are complimented by Gucci script on the
B-pillar and bootlid. Gucci’s trademark green-
red-green stripe along the car’s side and on the
seats, carpets, keyfob and even seatbelts.
 
Sleepless Nights
HiCAN BED
€47,000
 
If you thought beds were just built for sleeping,
think again – I highly doubt you did. The HiCan
bed design is so tech-heavy it is a virtually a
stand-alone room with everything you need to
read, relax and remain comfortably isolated
and asleep or to stay awake and entertained...
even without your partner there. The bed has
its own video projector with a retractable
screen at the foot of the bed, a state-of-the-
art sound system, a multimedia PC, a gaming
console, and a pair of reading lights for some
late-night reading.