Elite Traveler March-April 2016

DISCOVER

elite traveler MAR/APR 2016 45

The smart set As good as it looks – the Vertu for Bentley phone

Technology

FOR THE STYLE CONSCIOUS The Vertu Signature Touch for Bentley The third phone from the Bentley-Vertu partnership, like its predecessors, is a smartphone in every sense of the word. With its “knurled side keys”, a pillow rail, sound bar and 3D Bentley logo, there’s plenty to admire. Owners can also personalize it, with eight leather colors and 16 stitching options. There’s a concierge service as well as the Bentley app with access to VIP events. Running Android 5.1 Lollipop, it has a 21MP camera and 4K video capture. There is also 4GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage. The virtual surround sound and stereo speakers are tuned for crystal-clear sound at max volume. From $10,000 vertu.com With sales of Apple’s once ubiquitous iPhone on the slide, here are two newcomers to shake things up Hotline bling If you’re concerned about the stories of how easy it is to hack cell phones and steal data, this is the cell phone for you. A collaboration between gadget maker Archos and security software experts Sikur brings us the GranitePhone. Based on the Android OS, overlaid with Sikur’s own secure Granite OS, it encrypts all communication data. While it won’t leak data, it is also unlikely to keep you entertained. With a 5-inch, HD screen it houses just 2GB of RAM and 16GB of internal storage. With cameras offering 16MP (back) and 8MP (front), it’s unlikely to replace your Leica. Perhaps the key to protecting your data is to limit your usage to making and receiving calls. $999 sikur.com FOR THE SECURITY CONSCIOUS The GranitePhone

TAKE THREE/// HOME ENTERTAINMENT GADGETS Why bother going out? This new tech makes it far more exciting to stay at home

1 THE ROBOT PROJECTOR

2 THE TRANSPARENT TV

3 HTC VIVE

Finding the perfect place to set up a projector can be tricky, especially if you’re not sure where in the home you want to watch movies. This robot (left) might be the answer. The Cerevo Tipron projector robot moves easily about the home and thanks to its flexible, extendable design, can make more or less any space work as a cinema. You control it via your phone, courtesy of a simple app.

This is a gadget for anyone who enjoys TV, but is concerned about what a large screen can do to the aesthetics of a room. Panasonic’s transparent TV looks like the glass front of a standard bookcase or cabinet and can be made translucent – with gesture control this happens at the wave of a hand – to allow items on the shelves behind to be displayed. Due to arrive in design conscious, TV loving homes from 2018.

Many keen gadget fans and observers predict virtual reality gaming will take off this year. With Facebook’s Oculus Rift making headlines, HTC teamed with Seattle based Valve to create this HTC VIVE headset (above), due in shops this spring. Full details are yet to emerge, but reviewers at this year’s Consumer Electronics Show were impressed. Expect an immersive experience and an expanding range of games to enjoy.

Words: Richard Cree. Photo: Getty