December technology news: editor’s picks

December technology news: editor’s picks
(Image credit: www.lg.com)

Prada phone by LG 3.0

The ultimate byword for mobile bling, South Korean tech giant LG's collaboration with Prada dates back to 2006. Now the third phone to feature the coveted logo has surfaced, taking it firmly into Smartphone territory. At this end of the market, it's all about the badge, leaving such fripperies as OS and specifications rather superfluous. The new handset also features wallpapers that match the Prada shirt and tie prints from the A/W 2003 collection

www.lg.com

Technology moves swiftly, and the field of personal electronics is never more frenzied than at the end of the year, when gift-giving opportunities and new product cycles lure gadget-hungry consumers into a burst of upgrading. Trying to keep track of all that's new and now is akin to shifting sand with a sieve, but here are a few of the best-looking electronic bits and bobs that are new to the market.

Mobile phone

Prada phone by LG 3.0

(Image credit: press)

Showing man fashion

Prada phone by LG 3.0

The A/W 2003 collection that inspired the wallpaper for the phone

(Image credit: press)

December technology news: editor’s picks

Prada phone by LG 3.0

The A/W 2003 collection that inspired the wallpaper for the phone

(Image credit: press)

Prada phone by LG 3.0

Prada phone by LG 3.0

(Image credit: press)

Motorolla RAZR

(Image credit: www.motorola.com/razr)

Motorola RAZR

Way back in 2003, Motorola brought out the RAZR, a sleek clamshell phone that did everything its users wanted and looked - literally - cutting edge. Fast forward eight years and the clamshell body has long fallen out of favour, with smartphones now ruling the roost. Enter the Droid Razr, an Android phone with a very, very slim profile that just about justifies keeping the brand name alive.

www.motorola.com/razr

Nokia

(Image credit: swipe.nokia.com)

Nokia Lumia 800

Nokia's N9 came out in the summer, bucking the Android/IOS/Windows trend by running an all-new OS called Meego. Although it garnered good reports, the Finnish wizards have turned its sleek hardware into a dedicated Windows Phone handset. As ever, personal opinions are largely determined by your OS of choice, but there's no faulting the quality of the hardware and the optics.

swipe.nokia.com

Nokia Lumia

Nokia Lumia 800

(Image credit: press)

Nokia Lumia

Nokia Lumia 800

(Image credit: press)

Samsung Galaxy Nexus

(Image credit: www.google.co.uk/nexus/)

Samsung Galaxy Nexus

The latest Android flagship to hip is the Galaxy Nexus. It probably won't tempt iPhone 4S users away from their sleek devices, but in most respects the Google-branded Nexus's specs are the equal of its Apple rival. A giant HD screen and the ability to shoot HD movies are quickly becoming par for the course, but the Android-powered Nexus is one of the best you can get.

www.google.co.uk/nexus/

Fuji X10

(Image credit: www.fujifilm.eu/uk/)

Fuji X10

Fuji's X10 follows on from the earlier X100 and shares its larger sibling's old school look, with crackle-finished body and black detailing. Thankfully the quality is also up to scratch, making this a fine alternative to a more conventional-looking camera.

www.fujifilm.eu/uk/

Lomography La Sardina Beluga

(Image credit: www.lomography.com)

Lomo - La Sardina / Lomokino

At the other end of the scale is the stubbornly analogue output from the Lomo company, the hipster-friendly firm that was born out the St Petersburg camera manufacturer. They are now more concerned with candy colours, box sets and strange names, like the quirkily cased La Sardina series and the new Lomokino cine camera that uses regular 35mm film to create jerky, saturated but oh-so-very-now short movies.

www.lomography.com

Lomography La Sardina Cubic Front

Lomo - La Sardina

(Image credit: press)

Lomography La Sardina Domino Front

Lomo - La Sardina

(Image credit: press)

Lomography Lomo Kino

Lomo - Lomokino

(Image credit: press)

Nikon J1 and V1

(Image credit: www.nikon1.co.uk)

Nikon J1 and V1

The trend for retro camera design coincides with the continuing rise of the micro four-thirds format - think SLR quality and lens flexibility without the bulk. Panasonic and Olympus set the standard, leaving their rivals to come up with their own system. Nikon took up the challenge, and the result is the 1 Series.

www.nikon1.co.uk

Nikon V1

Nikon V1

(Image credit: press)

Sony NEX-7


(Image credit: www.sony.co.uk)

Sony NEX-7

Not to be outdone, Sony's bid for small-scale, high-quality optics was recently crowned by the new NEX-7, the latest in a range of cameras and camcorders designed around a compact body that can take a wide range of lenses. The NEX-7 tops off the range, thanks to the inclusion of an OLED viewfinder to supplement the hefty megapixel count and Zeiss lens.

www.sony.co.uk

Sony NEX-7

(Image credit: press)

Sony NEX-7

(Image credit: press)

Jonathan Bell has written for Wallpaper* magazine since 1999, covering everything from architecture and transport design to books, tech and graphic design. He is now the magazine’s Transport and Technology Editor. Jonathan has written and edited 15 books, including Concept Car Design, 21st Century House, and The New Modern House. He is also the host of Wallpaper’s first podcast.