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Bang & Olufsen: 'Serene' - Now out... |
batesie
Joined: Feb 13, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: London, UK
PM |
Danish up-market electronics firm Bang & Olufsen and Samsung Electronics will launch a jointly made mobile phone this year, with typical B&O design and high-quality sound, the firms said on Wednesday.
The phones will have basic communications features and little in the way of high-tech extras, Bang & Olufsen's chief executive told Reuters, adding they would target the high end of the market in terms of price and quality.
Bang & Olufsen are known for their expensive, sleekly designed art-house type televisions and home stereos.
"We are starting out with one model but may come out with more later," Torben Ballegaard Sorensen 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 emphasising what the phone is meant for, which is talking."
The handsets will be launched in 17 European countries in the fourth quarter, the companies said in a joint statement.
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.
"We have positive expectations about this, but I know it is a niche product. The phone won't appeal to all, but if only two percent of the market likes it, that's good enough."
South Korea's Samsung is the world's third largest mobile phone maker after Nokia (NOK1V.HE: Quote, Profile, Research) of Finland and U.S. Motorola (MOT.N: Quote, Profile, Research) , 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.
© Reuters 2005. All Rights Reserved.
http://go.reuters.co.uk/newsA[....]technologyNews&storyID=9650231
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[ This Message was edited by: batesie on 2005-11-15 13:49 ]
[ This Message was edited by: batesie on 2006-01-12 15:57 ]
[ This Message was edited by: batesie on 2006-06-13 15:09 ] |
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batesie
Joined: Feb 13, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: London, UK
PM |
its a damn shame they havent teamed up /// Ericsson 
[addsig] |
JK
Joined: Feb 24, 2005
Posts: > 500
From: S. Africa - JOZI
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mmm It will then be SEB&O.. to much..
Like BAR, Brittish American Racing with a japanese engine  |
Kryptik
Joined: Jun 24, 2005
Posts: > 500
From: Port Elizabeth, S.Africa
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Actually BAR dates back to 1917. The Browning Automatic Rifle was first used the following year at the end of WW1. Slightly before horseless carriages became capable of breaking the sound barrier :-) I'd love to see a B&O though, it'd probably look as good as everything else they manufacture.
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goldenface
Joined: Dec 17, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Liverpool City Centre
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I doubt Boba will be too pleased about this. It would be interesting to learn of his opinion.
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mustafabay
Joined: Sep 27, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: Egypt
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I must say it is a shame, espesially when someone here on Esato said a few months back that B&O was thinking of making a phone and it would probable be built on the E-100 platform.
It doesn't say which name its going to comeout under, I am presuming that it'll be B&O. It doesn't seem to be like its going to be groundbreaking on features.
I don't want a signature anymore. |
batesie
Joined: Feb 13, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: London, UK
PM |
as soon as i hear anything i'll be sure to post it here...
[addsig] |
brix25
Joined: Aug 20, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: Cape Town, South Africa
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If they want a simple thing they can look to past Ericsson models for inspiration.
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jack00
Joined: Feb 20, 2003
Posts: > 500
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my next phone is a samsung  just because of B&O |
batesie
Joined: Feb 13, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: London, UK
PM |
shame really as B&O's first mobiles were made with /// Ericsson
[addsig] |
ori
Joined: Oct 28, 2004
Posts: 396
PM |
can't wait to see it. as for Samsung, I’ve already written my ideas in B&O forum:
"The news that B&O started cooperation with Samsung to create a mobile phone concept was so unexpected that I’m still in deep shock. For me Bang and Olufsen always was a symbol, I was very young when I first sow a B&O product and I was inspired from the beginning. I have a web design studio in Moscow, and B&O was a source of inspiration during all these years. Not just products but a Company itself, as a brand, as a story of success, as a symbol of luxurious products. And of course I’ve been always dreaming about a mobile phone from B&O. And it looks like you are about to ruin my dream, and I bet all of you know why, Samsung is a company which is known for its low quality but cheap products, the same as the LG, there are thousands mobile phones manufactures, so why B&O decided to work exactly with Samsung, a company that cannot be even imagined in high-end market. Samsung positions itself as a company for every one, cheap TV sets, video, dvd, mobile phones, vacuum cleaners, sound systems, and what about B&O positioning and targeting? But it is not about targeting, B&O is not just pretends to provide us with quality it really does create masterpieces in aspects of design and quality, but Samsung only pretends. The idea of cooperation between B&O and Samsung sounds like the craziest thing I’ve ever heard. I can imagine a car made by Daewoo, KIA or HYUNDAI with a design from Bantley… what a shame..
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jplacson
Joined: Apr 21, 2002
Posts: > 500
From: Philippines
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Ericsson phones used to have B&O audio components. |
JK
Joined: Feb 24, 2005
Posts: > 500
From: S. Africa - JOZI
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Quote:
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On 2005-09-14 19:01:10, jack00 wrote:
my next phone is a samsung just because of B&O
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Me too!
@ori
Samsung mobile in terms of quality and reliability is far better than SE or Nokia. Maybe thats why B&O opted for Samsung. As for their other products.. yuggh! 
and BTW, the hyundai something was designed by Panninfarina, thats Ferraris design house. |
ori
Joined: Oct 28, 2004
Posts: 396
PM |
Ok, i think my next phone is Samsung too 
but lets think a little bit, how much are we ready to pay for the Samsung with B&O design and functions like talk, sms and may be something else but not something hi-end, no camera, no java or something, but may be bluetooth...
As long as it will have B&O logo on it, it will cost a lot, and the B&O logo is what we are paying for so?
I'm ready to give 1000$ If i like design. |
methylated_spirit
Joined: Jul 07, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: Bonnie Scotland
PM |
B&O have said themselves they are aiming for a niche market, so i think its obvoius they are only teaming up with Samsung for a little bit of advice, to guide them through the muddy waters of releasing a new phone. If thats the case, why NOT Samsung? They are just as adept as every other manufacturer, they make phones that work, and market them well.
Hello, Scroto!
U.G.L.Y. You ain't got no alibi, you ugly! |
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Posted: 2005-09-14 15:29
