Sony Ericsson has released the Jalou, complete with Dolce & Gabbana branding, a new phone which we think may, possibly, be aimed at women.
It's actually coming in two flavours: the 'normal' Jalou and the Jalou - designed especially by Dolce & Gabbana, with the latter adding in 24 carat gold plating, 'exclusive' packaging and content, and a Dolce & Gabbana headset which is 'lavished' with 'gold accents'.
But there's more to the Jalou... although judging by the press release all men reading should turn away and go and play fantasy football or chop some wood (whatever we stereotypically do).
Lady highlights
We'll take you through some of the 'female oriented' press release highlights: "Sony Ericsson's latest style statement is only 73mm long – shorter than your favourite lipstick and is easy to slip into the tiniest clutch."
To design this phone, with facet-cut jewel form, tiny compact design and cutting edge technology, Sony Ericsson explored art, architecture and furniture trends. Obviously, as we all know how a well made coffee table and phone are pretty much the same thing.
Just to make sure we know this phone is for ladies (not men, LADIES) the spec sheet is set out in a way women-folk can understand:
"3.2 megapixel camera – snap your favourite outfit and send to your friends."
"Bluetooth 2.0 – upload images and videos to your social network site" (we're not sure how Bluetooth helps you do this, unless you also have a PC).
"Mirror Key – check your hair before a hot date."
"Walk Mate step counter – see how far you have walked while out shopping"
"Weight – will not weigh your handbag down at only 84 grams"
So, add in the fact the Dolce & Gabbana version comes with "exclusive photography and video clips from Dolce & Gabbana's women's Autumn/Winter 2010 runway show, with sneak peek footage from all the backstage action" as well as the fact it comes in gemstone-inspired colours like Deep Amethyst, Aquamarine Blue and Onyx Black, and you can guess the demographic SE is looking at.
Structured, intricate and hidden accents
"Structured forms, intricate corners, hidden depths and jewel accents are set to be some of the hottest fashion trends in 2010. You can also expect to see deep and natural jewel colours on the runway next year," breathed Charles Hunt, Jalou head designer at Sony Ericsson.
"Jalou reflects these trends with its delicate facet-cut diamond shape design, clean and expressive lines and variety of different shine and matt finishes that give depth to the handset.
"The design team wanted the handset to reflect beauty found in nature. They looked at structure, strength and form in various crystalline jewels, which resulted in the unique shape."
The phone will be coming next quarter, and we've no word on price yet. But anything that offers 24 carat gold plating isn't going to be in the bargain bin at your local retailer, that's for sure.
It's also got TrackID, Exchange support, geotagging and acts as a modem - but screw all that, look how SHINY IT IS!
Your comments (3) Click to add a new comment
kvay
August 16th 2010
3. yea...its a little sexist but i might get it if it's not that expensive
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nova123
August 13th 2009
2. On behalf of all females everywhere thank you Gareth for pointing out how mind blowingly sexist Sony Ericssons press release is. Surprisingly not all women look for a shiny small phone that can slip easily into our clutch bags (which of course we all carry around all the time) and count our steps while we are all out shopping…..now while I’m banging my head against my desk and screaming at this amazingly gendered stereotype, which in one foul swoop has managed to reduce the female population to shopping mad shiny loving magpies, I’d just like to let Sony know that some of us ladies look for a bit more substance when purchasing a new mobile and will notice this model does sound a tad low on exciting features and I don’t really give a s*%t that it’s ‘smaller than my favourite lipstick’ and you know what gold phones scream to me? Chav not chic. If this press release was written by a man please go and read some Angela Carter and if it was indeed written by a lady do the same. Then give yourself a slap!
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mbb
August 12th 2009
1. I remember that infamous Palm panel discussion where one of the big guns showed off the mirror on the rear to the female panelist and declared "There's never been a phone like this for women before!". He got a pretty frosty response. But now there's TWO phones like that for women! Reach for the skies, fairer sex.
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