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| Vertu Signature |
| General |
| Network | Gsm 900 / Gsm 1900 |
| Announced | 2003 |
| Status | Available |
| Size |
| Dimensions | 122 X 42 X 15.5 Mm, 78 Cc |
| Weight | 173 G - 215 G |
| Display |
| Type | Tfd, 4096 Colors |
| Size | |
| | - Scratch Resistant Sapphire Display Face |
| Ringtones |
| Type | Polyphonic |
| Customization | |
| Vibration | Yes |
| Memory |
| Phonebook | 1000 Entries |
| Call Records | |
| Card Slot | No |
| | - 220 Calendar Notes
- 100 Sms |
| Data |
| Gprs | No |
| Hscsd | No |
| Edge | No |
| 3g | No |
| Wlan | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Infrared Port | No |
| Usb | |
| Features |
| Messaging | Sms |
| Browser | |
| Games | Yes |
| Colors | |
| Languages | English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Chinese |
| Camera | No |
| | - Handsfree
- T9
- Calendar
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| Battery |
| | Standard Battery, 950 Mah |
| Stand-by | Up To 200 H |
| Talk Time | Up To 8 H |
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Vertu - Signatureof luxury phones crafted in partnership with the most prestigious jewelers and craftsmen. Incased in precious metals and the finest leather hides, the effort to create Vertu phones alone resulted in over 20 new patents.
But perhaps the draw of the Vertu is that it is not just a phone. When consumers acquire a Vertu, they join an exclusive community around the world with access to the Vertu Concierge. A global network equal to that of the world's finest hotels, a personal support system twenty-four hours a day allow users to receive expert information on travel and entertainment, as well as reservations, preferred rates and access to emergency assistance - simply by pressing the dedicated key on the side of the phone.
As the newest device from Vertu's limited product portfolio, the new Signature 2006 upgrades the original, adding an improved color screen, GPRS support, and internal antenna. Setting the standard for exquisitely crafted, high-quality, luxury mobile communication, Vertu's amazing success over the last four years has been the company's single-minded dedication to craftsmanship.
Design
In creating the Signature Collection, Vertu's designers took great care to ensure it would not only look magnificent, but also be engineered to the finest standards. "Obsessive" is probably the best term to describes the workmanship that goes into each phone, assembled entirely by hand in pristine workshops with 404 individual mechanical parts that go through 96 rigorous inspections.
The Vertu Signature Collection comes in a variety of different high-quality materials, including stainless steel, 18-carat yellow and/or white gold, platinum, and even diamond encrusted versions, all individually hallmarked. Providing a durable grip, the finest leather surrounds the Vertu's rim, ensuring it won't slip out of one's hands accidentally. With price ranges from around $6K for a steel duo variant, to over $60K for the platinum (with solitaire diamond), Vertus are not for the faint of heart, or wallet.
The front features a stylish and angular screen. To protect a high-quality 12-bit color LCD, 69.25 carats of pure scratch resistant sapphire crystal was used on the Vertu Signature (one of the largest commercially produced). Commonly found on high-end watches for a scratch-resistant face, sapphire crystal is second only to diamond in hardness, ensuring a smooth viewing surface.
Below, an angular keypad is supported by ruby bearings (at least one per key) for precise key presses and text messaging. Concierge service is available around the clock and around the world with the press of a button on the left, while keys along the right adjust volume.
Even the ear pillow was carefully designed, carefully crafted of a durable and tough ceramic compound (used to protect the outside of the Space Shuttle). Being extremely resistant to heat and always warm to the touch, applying the Vertu logo on the pillow required a special process known as Physical Vapor Deposition, where the mark was coated on the surface in a vacuum chamber at temperatures of up to 300C.
Not to be outdone, the back plate of the Vertu Signature uses a scratch-resistant fusion of two powerful materials (Zirconia Ceramic and Titanium) which is partly translucent to emulate the luster of lacquered wood. Featuring Vertu logo-styled speakerphone vent on the back, a unique high-fidelity sound is blasted by an advanced Yamaha polyphonic ringtone generator, accomplished with a specially designed acoustic cavity beneath for optimal harmonic tonal qualities. The back plate which shelters the battery and SIM card can only be removed with the turn of screwdriver-like key (although anything flat will work).
The Vertu Signature comes in an exquisite presentation case with a standard 950 mAh Li-Ion Battery, Battery Cover Release Key, Regional Charger with Charger Cable, Leather Case, Microfiber Polishing Cloth, Wrist Lanyard, Data Cable (COM Port), CD-ROM, Concierge Booklet, Quick Guide, Certificate of Ownership, and User Manual.
Basic Features
A key feature among Vertu phones are the custom inner workings. Rather than fusing them together (as most phones do), the Vertu Signature's parts are modular. So as technology advances, consumers' phones can as well. With the fast pace of technology, consumers can rest assured it won't grow obsolete. Vertu offers free hardware and software upgrades to existing consumers for life, as was the case with color screens, antennas, and microphones in the past.
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Built on a tri-band GSM (900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz) technology, the Signature 2006 will work on GSM networks worldwide. Measuring 122 x 42 x 16 mm it is much longer than standard phones, albeit just as wide and thick. However at 173 g, the Signature is extremely heavy. A byproduct of the metals (rather than plastic), it has some weight behind it.
Rating the Signature's 950 mAh Li-Ion battery (BLZ-2) at 9.0 hours and 300 hours (12.5 days) of talk and standby times respectively, these are under optimal conditions. Manufacturers and carriers often list talk and standby times with disclaimers about variable performance, and refer to the times they publish as maximum times. Actual talk and standby times are lower.
The Signature supports a variety of languages including English, French, Italian, German, Spanish, Traditional Chinese, Simplified Chinese, Russian, Arabic, and Turkish. Multi-language predictive text is supported as well.
Up to now we have been using "Signature" to denote the new "Signature 2006." However, it should be noted there are actually two versions of the phone, the original (Signature) released in 2002, and the new version (Signature 2006) this year.
Aside from small cosmetic differences (such as an internal antenna instead of a retractable one), the 2006 adds improved features such as tri-band capabilities (rather than dual-band), improved color screen, longer battery life (9 and 300 hours of talk and standby times rather than 6 and 200), and GPRS support.
Screen
Underneath the scratch-proof sapphire crystal contains a high-quality 12-bit color TFD (Thin Film Diode) display. However, compared to other devices on the market, the Signature's display is not state-of-the-art. Many devices released nowadays feature up to 262K-colors, a significant improvement over the Signature's mediocre 4K-color display.
Regardless, using Crystal Fine technology (developed by Epson), the Signature's 116 x 148 px (34.7 x 46.8 mm) LCD applies transflective liquid crystal technology to offer unsurpassed clarity under a wide variety of viewing conditions; from the black of night to sunny outdoor afternoons.
Audio
Blasting the Vertu Signature's unique sound is a 20 mm AKG speaker and Yamaha sound system. Hidden behind the back plating, a specially designed acoustic cavity projects robust tonal qualities for superior high-fidelity audio through a Vertu logo V-shaped speaker hole.
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As sound waves bounce back and forth within the cavity walls increasing in intensity, tones similar to musical instruments (not heard from standard mobile devices) can be created, ranging in concentration as well as pitch.
The Signature comes with 17 preinstalled tones (some melodies but mostly rings), but additional ringtones can be transferred from a PC with the supplied data cable.
A Media Player allows users to listen to short clips, while a 5-level equalizer lets users adjust frequency ranges. Preset levels include Pop, Rock, Jazz, Classical, and 2 user defined settings.
Messaging
Featuring an angular design, the Signature's keypad offers a tactile and smooth response, with each key supported by at least one jeweled ruby bearing.
Much like in watches, ruby bearings are used in places where friction may wear away the underlying material. By using these bearings (which have little value as jewelry, but has inherent hardness), major moving parts are nearly friction-free, significantly prolonging the life of the device.
Integrating usual text messaging standards, the Signature has SMS (Short Messaging Service) and MMS (Multimedia Message Service). Through T9 predictive text, consumers can type easier as the Signature predicts words by using combinations of the selected language.
Entertainment
Vertu was envisioned by the company's Creative Director and Designer Frank Nuovo, who was also incidentally the head of design for Nokia since 1995. Vertu is a Nokia's wholly-owned subsidiary, thus the user interface and menu structure is similar to standard Nokia products.
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The Signature features basic applications such as Alarm Clock, Calculator, Calendar, Converter, Media Player (with Equalizer), Notes, Synchronization, To-Do List, Voice Recorder, and World Clock. Access to email accounts is also possible through POP3, IMAP4, and SMTP protocols.
Not limited to preinstalled software, the Signature is built on J2ME (Java 2 Micro Edition) technology. Allowing users to download and install Java-based games and applications, consumers can transfer a wide range of general programs through a PC (using the supplied data cable), or through the web.
But arguably the main draw of the Vertu Signature is ironically what's not on the phone. To acquire a Vertu is to acquire a long-term relationship, and clients get a unique class of service, joining an exclusive community of people around the world that can take advantage of the Vertu Concierge.
With the press of a button (on the left side), a global network of professionals are available anytime, anywhere. Clients can request expert information on travel and entertainment, get reservations to packed restaurants, and preferred rates and access to emergency assistance.
No request is too outrageous. According to Frank Nuovo, the craziest request thus far was to arrange a dinner with Queen Elizabeth. The Concierge Service actually managed to round up a few tickets to an appearance of hers that did include a dinner. All Vertu customers receive Concierge Service during their first year, free of charge.
Aside from the dedicated Concierge Service, the Signature's interface and software is very mediocre. Common applications found on standard Nokia products. More myth and mystery than practical, the Concierge Service is a great conversation topic at parties.
Internet
Upgrading the Signature to now include GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), users can browse the web at speeds of up to 48 kbps. Through the supplied data cable (COM Port), consumers can use the Signature as a modem for their laptop. Able to not only browse the web, but also fax documents, the Signature gives travelers the ability to conduct business on the road. Unfortunately GPRS is not state-of-the-art. With many devices taking advantage of 3G broadband connectivity, mobile technology has pushed transfer rates past 500 kbps for streaming video and audio capabilities.
Storage
Containing 9.6 MB of internal memory, the Vertu Signature has more than enough space for ringtones and applications. With storage space dynamically shared among all multimedia and productivity tools, users should find the storage ample. However, a hard limit is also imposed on basic applications. Users can store a maximum of 1000 contacts, 220 calendar notes, and 100 SMS text messages.
Connectivity
Unfortunately the Signature lacks wireless connectivity features such as IrDA or Bluetooth. With only a supplied data cable (COM Port), consumers may find PCs nowadays without such outdated ports. However, when connected, common functions such as multimedia transfer, data synchronization, and backup copies can be accomplished with the supplied Vertu PC Suite (CD-ROM).
Conclusion
There's no doubt an extraordinary amount of time was spend by Vertu engineers on the smallest of details. In fact, years were spent on the design alone before the official production and release. From the sapphire crystal screen, to the ruby bearings beneath the keypad, no element was left unnoticed.
Aesthetically the Vertu simply has no equal, commanding attention anywhere it's seen. Its polyphonic ringtones harmoniously call out, while the angular keypad offers smooth and tactile text messaging. Craftsmanship is unrivaled.
However, the Signature is not "cutting-edge" technology. Many aspects of the Signature even fall below average phones released on the market today. The screen, while scratch-proof is only 65K-colors, while the lack of a camera, 3G, and Bluetooth connectivity is disappointing.
But the lack of features shouldn't bother Vertu's potential customers, as they understand technology but don't necessarily expect the latest functionality. Most probably own several phones. Instead, the quality of materials used and service is critical.
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And that's where the Signature goes above and beyond. Adding to the mystique of the Signature, knowing one could ask the Concierge Service for anything, anytime of the day, from anywhere in the world is extremely empowering.
Obviously the Vertu Signature isn't for everyone, but for those who can afford it, it offers its clients something other devices simply do not; not just a communication device, but an unmatched lifestyle. |
| Common misspellings on this brand: vetu , vert5u , vertuy , ver5u , veru , verty , vrertu , ver4tu , vertj , gertu , verru , v4rtu , ve4tu , vrrtu |
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