Bang & Olufsen, Samsung to create mobile phone

[MOTOhooligan]

I would have thought they would pair with Nokia since Finland and Denmark aren't too far away from each other.

COPENHAGEN, Denmark -- Bang and Olufsen is to team up with Korean electronics company Samsung to create a mobile phone incorporating B&O's top-quality acoustics and design.

Torben Ballegaard Sorensen, CEO of Danish audio and video maker B&O, said the phone would have "enhanced acoustic capabilities" and would be released later this year.

Bang & Olufsen is known for its expensive, sleekly designed art-house type televisions and home stereos.

"Together we want to create a mobile phone that is dedicated to communication in a comfortable and convenient way," he said.

"The design and use of the phone is very simple and straightforward, yet in every aspect of the design there is a carefully thought through relationship between form and function."

He said it would have basic communications features and little in the way of high-tech extras, and would target the high end of the market in terms of price and quality.

"We are starting out with one model but may come out with more later," he said, adding the phone would be aimed at people over the age of 25.

"This will be super simple. We believe that many people feel overwhelmed by the options phones contain. We will attempt to produce something that ... will suit our core clients. They don't use phones as a game station. We are emphasizing what the phone is meant for, which is talking."

While most mobile phone makers are focusing on launching third-generation (3G) phones with features like video calls and downloading music, Sorensen said the joint venture would stick to tried-and-tested technology.

President of Samsung's telecommunications business Kitae Lee said the partnership between the two companies would make customers think about phones in a new way.

"Samsung is always trying to push the boundaries of mobile phone design and development, and we consistently search for innovative deign ideas and concepts across industries."

The new mobile phone will be launched in 17 European countries in the fourth quarter of this year, and will be for sale in Bang and Olufsen shops, as well as and high-end Samsung distribution partners.

South Korea's Samsung is the world's third largest mobile phone maker after Nokia of Finland and U.S. Motorola, and its announcement follows comments earlier this month that it aimed to become an elite brand name.

Top rival Nokia has previously targeted rich consumers with its exclusive Vertu brand of very expensive mobiles made from platinum, gold and diamonds, as well as its N-series, which features built-in hard drives and high-quality camera lenses.

[Mobile Mike]

Zowie!! This sounds interesting. I wonder how expensive it will be??

[MOTOhooligan]

Originally Posted by lbmike212

Zowie!! This sounds interesting. I wonder how expensive it will be??

Well, I'm betting you'd be looking at between $300-$700, at least, depending on the options (materiels used, etc.) B&O make outstanding stereo equipment. When I win the lottery, I plan on buying some.

[Fire14]

Originally Posted by rancidhooligan

Well, I'm betting you'd be looking at between $300-$700, at least, depending on the options (materiels used, etc.) B&O make outstanding stereo equipment. When I win the lottery, I plan on buying some.

Hopefully it would be closer to the $300.00 range, since it seems like they aren't going with too many options & mainly just for calls & SMS. It will be interesting to see what it looks like.

[twopiece]

Wonder if the phones will look anything like the Vertu?

[Scrumhalf]

I can't believe I am seeing the phrases "Bang and Olufsen" and "top-quality acoustics" in the same sentence. You've got to be kidding me!

[MOTOhooligan]

The Samsung/Bang & Olufsen Serene. It's a little weird looking and, for some reason, doesn't have a megapixel camera, however if the ergonomics, audio and navigation are as good as they say it is, it might be worth the sure-to-be ridiculously expensive price tag to someone with more money than me. I kind of like it, though.

Edit: Rumors are that the Serene is slated to cost around $1,000... I think I'll just get a black Motorola RAZR V3 for $300, thanks.

[Jrapp]

Originally Posted by Scrumhalf

I can't believe I am seeing the phrases "Bang and Olufsen" and "top-quality acoustics" in the same sentence. You've got to be kidding me!

I'm glad somebody said this. B&O, style over substance.

[MOTOhooligan]

Originally Posted by Scrumhalf

I can't believe I am seeing the phrases "Bang and Olufsen" and "top-quality acoustics" in the same sentence. You've got to be kidding me!

Originally Posted by Jrapp

I'm glad somebody said this. B&O, style over substance.

My B&O turntable is the best-sounding turntable I've ever heard and it's run through a B&O amp and B&O speakers so I don't think these statements are necessarily true. However, my B&O equipment is from the 1970s so it could be different with them now.

[Fire14]

Originally Posted by rancidhooligan

The Samsung/Bang & Olufsen Serene. It's a little weird looking and, for some reason, doesn't have a megapixel camera, however if the ergonomics, audio and navigation are as good as they say it is, it might be worth the sure-to-be ridiculously expensive price tag to someone with more money than me. I kind of like it, though.

Edit: Rumors are that the Serene is slated to cost around $1,000... I think I'll just get a black Motorola RAZR V3 for $300, thanks.

1st I agree for the price I would rather go with a Razr, and 2nd I really don't like the looks of this phone, it is real wierd looking & the rotary style dialer is strange looking on a cell phone and for the price you would think it should have a megapixel camera as well. It will be interesting to see how many people will buy something like this.

[MOTOhooligan]

Originally Posted by Fire14

It will be interesting to see how many people will buy something like this.

Rich people who don't know about ... celebrities, basically. The more I think about the cost/features of this phone the more I dislike it. If you want an expensive, luxury phone, buy the Nokia 8801, it should be around $300 less than the Serene and you'll probably like it better. The 8801's design is simple and sleek, although it doesn't have a megapixel camera, either.

[Gideon H]

Looks like one of those stupid little fold-up alarm clock/fm radios kids gets from fund-raisers... but I am curious to try it. I would NEVER spend that much money on something like that. I could buy a Bose home theater for that money... and Bose is actually good .

[ifox]

Wooowwww... So much hate! the previous poster knows nothing about "rich" people and this really isn't about rich people's wants and desires it's about individualism and not wanting to have what everyone else has. We pay much more than $1000.00 for laptops and desktop computers that I would argue, may ultimately get less done than the business, personal or otherwise, that gets done on the mobile phone. Why wouldn't $1000.00 be appropriate for something unique? I currently use a Motorola MS150 and it is extremely unique and I can't tell you how many people I have met simply for having such a unique item. It's a great conversational piece in the truest sense. Anyway I wouldn't trash this Serene model until I actualy held it and powered it up. For the rest of you ...there is the RAZOR.

ifox

[Gideon H]

Well, ifox, you don't know me so I wouldn't go and judge. I do in fact know about "rich" people, as you say, because I work with them every year in Massachusetts (not for them, either). Second, if this phone was about individualism, it would be worth buying and would probably show smaller price tag. Do you think people who aren't at least "upper-middle class" would buy this? This phone is over $1000 and it a waste of money compared to great phones out there that work very well. This phone is even listed as being for people looking for "elegence" and "serenity" (hence the name). Individualism only comes with how, um, "different" it is. Not only is this phone not practical, but its feature list isn't impressive. I don't need to hold it in real life to form that opinion.

Anyway, don't come into a great forum like Wireless Advisor and start flaming senior members like me or rancidhooligan. This isn't HoFo.

[ifox]

You are funny. You are funny for sure.