Armani-Samsung smartphone launched

Samsung launched a new smartphone last week that it created in conjunction with renowned designer Georgio Armani.

Unveiled last week, the mobile has been devised with the aim of complimenting designer suits.

JK Shin, executive vice-president of Samsung Electronics said the device boasts FM radio, TV-Out and WiFi access.

Furthermore, the phone has a touch screen, a qwerty keypad GPS navigation Bluetooth and a five-megapixel camera, as well as eight gigabytes (gb) of memory that can be extended to 32 gb.

He said: "This latest generation mobile masterfully combines our experience in technology with a design from one of the world’s best known designers and the function offered by Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system."

Revealed by Microsoft recently, Windows Mobile 6.5 allows phones to play music, synchronise over the internet and open Word and Exel documents.

The Armani-Samsung smartphone is to be one of the first phones with the new technology from the software giant.

Armani said this would make it a "business and lifestyle" item perfect for managers, which is elegant as well as functional.

This represents the third phone produced through collaboration between Armani and Samsung.

Some commentators think the new device will pose a threat to the iPhone in terms of its design features. It is expected to market at $1,000 (£633) and will be available in the UK and Italy, among other countries.

According to Pete Cunningham, senior analyst at Canalys, competition between the iPhone and other smartphone models is hotting up in the mobile market.