Exclusive this month at Bloomingdales with wider distribution next month, Marc Jacobs set out to make a spicy cologne that would allude to sexuality while maintaining an intimate scent that would entice your partner to stay close. With notes that include: cedar, white, black and pink pepper notes, vetiver, white moss, and patchouli; Bang is an utterly masculine scent that doesn’t give off killer sillage.

In simpler terms, it’s to be enjoyed by you and the person close to you, not the entire room. After one wearing of this scent, I’m a fan – reminds me of Hermes Terre D’Hermes but lighter, yet slightly spicier. Sold at 3.4 and 1.7 ounce sizes for the eau de toilette at $75 and $55 respectively, this is definitely a scent to add to your list.

[ Links: Marc Jacobs Bang at Bloomingdales ]

I’ve covered OQO news in the past, anticipated the OQO Model 02+ which was to come with their first Intel processor but somewhere along their timeline to come out with that model, OQO went out of business. Or did they?

From out of nowhere, OQO.CC has come forth with news about how they are/were the Chinese arm of the American OQO firm that went out of business officially in April of 2009, before the release of the OQO Model 02+. There are even official sounding specs on the device:

Operating system: Windows 7
Processor: 2.0 GHz Intel Z550
Memory: SSD 128GB
Memory: 2GB
LCD: 4.8-inch bright LCD screen (supports 1024X600)
Touch mode: Multi-touch
Graphics: Intel GMA500
Sound Performance: Built-in speaker and microphone
Communication: Wireless LAN, Bluetooth 2.0 chip, 3G, Ethernet (optional), etc.
Computer Interface: High-speed USB2.0 port headphone jack DC power input port HDMI port
Interface expansion slots: Power input port VGA port Ethernet interface (optional)
Input Devices: Built-in keyboard pointer keys
Battery Type: Polymer lithium battery
Power adapter: V AC 12 V DC/100-240
Supplied Accessories: Standard Battery Double the battery power adapter
Price: 31,888 yuan

While it looks very official and even has an official release date of Q3, 2010… that price is a killer. 31,888 Yuan translates to about $4700 USD. Ouch!

Guess my old OQO 01+ will have to wait to get replaced after all.

[ Links: OQO Chinese ]

The folks over at Tweaktown have reviewed the Psyko Audio Labs 5.1 PC gaming headphones and came away rather impressed.

The Psyko Audio Labs 5.1 channel headset offers some really exciting new ideas about how surround information can be delivered. Developing Psykowave proprietary technology as the flagship feature truly makes this headset something quite unique. Plus, the added design feature of building the speakers into the top of the headband chassis allows for two large subwoofers with a vented ear enclosure, which is another key part of making this system work the way it does.

Adding an external amplifier really allows all of the speakers to reach their full potential and is also quite an attractive unit in its own right. The included mic is also a bonus for those users who seem to swear by them when they play games.

Priced at $299.99, these are definitely not your normal headphones but will keep you from disturbing your loved ones and neighbors while delivering a great surround sound experience.

[ Links: Tweaktown Psyko Audio Labs 5.1 PC Gaming Headphones Review, Psyko Audio Labs ]

Not every toy and gadget needs to have the latest CPU and polymer materials to be considered highly desirable and worthwhile. The Auditorium Toy Co. has produced a handmade, wooden push car toy that looks like some of the toys from your youth… but better constructed.

It’s not just a looker though – the Boattail Racer is handmade from materials that time cannot easily erode.

The wooden bodywork is sculpted from rugged 13 ply Baltic birch. The muscular stance comes courtesy of the 77.5 millimeter carnelian-core industrial grade wheels, which float effortlessly on precision bearings. Solid stainless steel axles and fasteners ensure faithful service for generations to come.

Just like the old Tonka toys, this solid birch and stainless steel toy will probably outlast you. Priced at $350 per toy, it does come in its own archive box that doubles as a presentation box.

[ Links: Auditorium Toy Co. ]

Old-world workmanship typically lasts a lot longer than automated, cheaply produced, mass-marketed items for the most part. And they tend to fit better. So while looking for a replacement pair of sneakers to replace my recently destroyed (now defunct) Medium Design Group, Medium Footwear Inc. Minimalist sneakers, I stumbled upon Feit. A manufacturer of trendy, old-world quality shoes and have been doing so for a while in small batches originally in Sydney Australia.

Just recently they opened up their website where you can pre-purchase or shop for what’s in stock – again, in small batches.

Like all Feit shoes the SUPERCLEAN is handmade using traditional shoe making techniques rarely found in the footwear industry today. These traditional methods are being lost as we move from local cobblers and small boot factories to assembly lines and mass production.

Making shoes by hand allows us to produce small volumes of very high quality. It ensures the shoe making process remains adaptable and flexible.

With prices that range from $240 and higher, these aren’t your normally priced sneakers. But I’m willing to bet you’ll have them longer than your last pair of Reebok’s. Pictured above are the Feit Superclean in white llama leather and retail for $248.46. And more than likely, my very next pair of sneakers. Cannot wait.

[ Links: Feit Direct, Feit Blog ]

Samsung Digital Imaging released its 10 megapixel high-end compact digital camera EX1 in the Korea market, designed specifically for today’s advanced and enthusiast photographers.

The new flagship of the company’s compact digital camera family, the new EX1 incorporates a full-range of advanced features, including a high-performance imaging sensor and one of the most impressive lenses ever found on a compact camera – a 24mm ultra-wide angle Schneider KREUZNACH lens, f/1.8.

The Samsung EX1 is sure to turn heads thanks to its f/1.8 Schneider lens. The impressive f/1.8 lens offers photographers a wider range of aperture steps and shallow depth-of-field, giving them the ability to blur out the background of their images while maintaining focus on their subjects. The ultra-fast, f/1.8 lens also allows users to take better photos in low-light environments as more light is passed through to the new high-performance 1/1.7-inch CCD sensor.

The high-end Schneider lens offers a 24mm, ultra-wide focal length and 3x optical zoom. Much wider than traditional compact cameras, the EX1′s 24mm ultra-wide angle lens allows photographers to capture more of a desired scene, such as beautiful landscapes and large groups of friends or family. For blur free images, the EX1′s lens is also paired with Samsung’s Dual Image Stabilization technology.

Composing and reviewing images on the EX1′s three-inch, swiveling AMOLED screen is a pleasure. The rotating AMOLED display will allow photographers to precisely frame their images the way they want and shoot from just about any angle, including overhead or low-to-the-ground shots. Compared to the traditional TFT-LCD found on most digital cameras, the EX1′s AMOLED provides users with a higher contrast ratio, deeper blacks and more accurate, vivid colors, even when viewed from an angle or in direct sunlight.

The EX1 supports RAW and gives enthusiasts full control over their images thanks to its shutter priority, aperture priority and full Manual shooting modes. When using these settings, shooters can experiment with features such as slower shutter speeds and depth-of-field; however, for those who prefer ease-of-use over manual controls, the EX1 also offers Samsung’s Smart Auto 2.0 (Still & Movie) scene recognition technology.

The Samsung EX1 is available in Black and Silver.

Link to the original article…

As much as I love the term “man cave”, it’s not fully a true man cave unless you got a booming, yet clear system that makes you feel each and every explosion in Red Dawn at the base of your root canal. Don’t have a good system? Harman got you covered.

For the home theater enthusiast that is looking for an all-in-one, easy-to-use setup, Harman provides a complete home theater system from Mark Levinson and Revel. At the heart of this system is the Mark Levinson No 502 Media Console. Designed to provide precise sound and breathtaking on-screen imagery with easy-to-use, user-friendly menus, the No 502 console automatically sharpens images for crisp, clean video that, along with Revel’s Ultima speakers allow the viewer to achieve an unparalleled level of suspended reality.

For the more advanced audiophile, JBL Synthesis provides a number of products that bring over 60-years of professional audio innovation into the home. Their custom-installed systems are specifically designed to duplicate the same sound characteristics of famed concert venues like the Sydney Opera House, and when they are applied to any sporting event, create an audio experience that rivals any live venue.

From simple, two speaker stereo configurations to more complex true Dolby/THX 7.1 configurations, Harman is the company that houses Mark Levinson, JBL and Infinity audio brands. Prices range all the way from “I can do that” to “whoa, I’ve seen cars that cost less”. But the quality is undeniable across all of the Harman brands.

And besides… your man cave deserves the best.

[ Links: Harman ]

The sheer mention of rum conjures images of pirates, sugar cane, molasses and the Caribbean. Plantation Rum takes the almost forgotten method of double-aging their finely distilled rums initially in young bourbon casks in the Caribbean then shipped to be later aged in smaller batches in more mature oak casks. This process, once a standard, allows for refinement in their taste for even the most refined tastes.

Even pirates would approve. Found at prices ranging from $38 and higher in rum styles from Barbados, Trinidad, Jamaica, Nicaragua and other places that are noted for their rum.

[ Links: Plantation Rum ]

The Aston Martin Rapide might just have the most expensive key in the world, fortunately it does more than just open the car – it’s also a watch, sorry, chronograph.

The AMVOX2 Rapide Transponder heralds the second generation of the revolutionary creation that sealed the ties between the Grande Maison from the Vallée de Joux and the legendary British luxury sports car manufacturer.
Released several months ago, it is the first mechanical watch developed with the ability to control access into a luxury sports car by means of a built-in micro transmitter system serves to lock and unlock the Aston Martin DBS car, while maintaining the key functions of the famous vertical-trigger mechanism equipping the pushpiece-free chronograph.

If you had enough money for an Aston Martin, you would probably cough up for the super-expensive watch-key.

Link to the original article… ]]> http://www.removethelabels.com/2010/02/28/aston-martin-rapide-has-a-34000-watch-key-option/feed/ 0 http://www.removethelabels.com/2009/12/17/mercedes-benz-to-produce-a-new-apple-iphone-pouch/ http://www.removethelabels.com/2009/12/17/mercedes-benz-to-produce-a-new-apple-iphone-pouch/#comments Thu, 17 Dec 2009 07:10:00 +0000 William http://www.removethelabels.com/?p=25705

Mercedes-Benz has launched its new pouch designed for the Apple iPhone in the Korea market. The Apple iPhone accessory is created from a high-quality leather. Suggested price is 110,000 KRW or about $94 USD.

I like the Vaja Cases [ Related: Vaja Cases, Vaja Case Review ] better for about the same price.

Link to the original article…

Hyundai Motor unveiled ‘The Luxury Grandeur’, the latest facelift edition of the popular Grandeur sedan in Seoul, Korea. With upgraded exterior and interior designs, The Luxury Grandeur comes with the price tag of between 27,130,000 KRW and 39,780,000 KRW or about $23,000 USD to $33,7000 USD.

Link to the original article…

The Aston Martin Rapide is definitely a sexy piece of kit. Going up against the other four door ultra-high luxury sedan, the Porsche Panamera, it finally got a price of £139,950 or $230,171.14 if it were to rely on today’s currency exchange. That’s double the base price for the already pricey Panamera.

What does almost a quarter of a million get you? Aston Martin prestige and build quality, a 470hp V-12, comfort for 4-5 adults in an ultra-high luxury car that’s definitely bound to be super exclusive.

The Rapide is Aston Martin’s first production four-door sports car encapsulating the practicality of a car with extra doors and fusing it with the trademark sports car dynamics synonymous with modern Aston Martins.

Customer deliveries will commence at the beginning of quarter two 2010, and it will be the first sports car to be hand-built at the Aston Martin Rapide Plant in Graz, Austria. The new 17,000 m2 building has been designed to reflect the quality levels established in Gaydon since 2003 permitting the fusion of modern technology, advanced manufacturing processes and hand-built craftsmanship. Each Rapide will take approximately 220 man hours to build and will benefit from timeless craft skills just like the existing range; DBS, DB9, V12 and V8 Vantage do at Gaydon.

So, can I borrow $230,170? Don’t mind me… I’m just going to lust drool over the Aston Martin Rapide.