It’s Friday. It’s five o’clock in London. That means it’s time to down tools, pour yourself a drink and look back at what A Prodigal Week it has been.
Glass in hand? Let me offer you some canapés of news and views.
GADGETS
The anti-iPhone
All the gadget news you could want this week comes from Samsung’s Unpacked event. See below for a slew of interesting announcements but the hero for me was the new Galaxy Z Fold 3.
I embrace the elegant simplicity of my iPhone. But there has always been a part of me - the part that carried around a Nokia E90 Communicator and an Atari Portfolio before that - that likes my smartphone big, powerful and just a little bit nuts. And boy does the Z Fold deliver. In its third incarnation, it finally feels like Samsung has eliminated all the issues. The outside screen is now sizeable and stunning, the inside screen is now free of intruding camera cut-outs, and the hinge and general construction appear to be sound.
Samsung made a slew of changes to the device’s materials and internal design that should give the $1,799 foldable smartphone a better chance of lasting years into the future. Refinements are everywhere. The screen’s protective film is now 80 percent stronger; Samsung is using Gorilla Glass Victus on the cover screen for improved drop protection; the aluminum in the Fold 3’s hinge is now 10 percent stronger. And the entire device is now rated IPX8 for water resistance, meaning you can submerge it for up to 30 minutes and it should come out unscathed.
The appeal of carrying a phone that can transform into a tablet the size of an iPad mini is getting harder and harder to resist…
Also worth your time
Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 3 announced: “The more affordable foldable flip phone has upgraded displays and improved durability.”
The rest of Samsung’s event detailed: “Two new foldable phones were only the start of what the company had to show.”
Spatial audio and lossless on HomePods supported: “Apple previously said it would enable lossless playback on the speakers via an update.”
WATCHES
Sushi time
You already know I’m a fan of AP. You know I love the Royal Oak. You might guess I’m keen on complications. But, to me, the appeal of this stunning new limited edition Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar is all about that dial colour.
Robin Swithinbank investigated for Hodinkee:
The first 150 pieces were reserved for the Japanese market, and the first 100 of those were sold exclusively through the venerable retailer Yoshida. It now appears the remaining 150 pieces became available to the rest of the world a few weeks ago. These being high-end pieces assembled by an elite group of AP watchmakers, they won’t exactly fly out of the Le Brassus factory, so the next batch is likely to trickle through slowly.
As Robin says, all you need is a dream. And 85 grand.
Also worth your time
Iconic chronographs suggested: “You need at least one of these iconic chronographs in your collection - from Omega to Seiko, Breitling, IWC, Rolex, and more.”
Audemars Piguet brand history documented: “From its execution of the most challenging complications to the development of completely new ones, from the pioneering use of experimental materials to an impressive list of world firsts, the brand’s history is far too rich to write it off as a single model success story.”
Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 Series announced: “The Galaxy Watch 4 has a more minimal look with a smaller bezel and a sweat-proof watch band, while the Galaxy Watch 4 Classic comes with a stainless steel casing and a rotating bezel.”
CARS
Return of the wedge
If you’re a man of a certain age. Say, you know, my age. Then when you were growing up, at that all important time when you were forming your views of the world and developing your taste, there really was only one supercar worth lusting over. Oh sure, Porsche and Ferrari made fast cars, but the undisputed bedroom poster king was Lamborghini. While the 911 and 328 were handsome machines, the Countach was otherworldly.
This week then, the only news that matters is that Lamborghini is set to launch a modern day Countach special edition to mark 50 years of every 40-something man-boy’s wet dream.
Rumours point toward the use of the ‘LPI 800-4’ name, LPI standing for Longitudinale Posteriore Ibrido (hybrid). Should this be accurate, it’s likely that the model will feature the 808bhp supercapacitor-equipped powertrain first featured in the Sian FKP 37.
Also worth your time
Audi Sky Sphere Concept previewed: “The open-top GT is the first of three visionary concept cars which will underpin Audi’s aesthetic in years to come.”
Mercedes-Benz EQS pricing confirmed: “The base model starts at €106,374.10. The more expensive dual-motor, all-wheel drive variant features a 107.8kWh battery pack and will start at €135,529.10.”
Tesla Cybertruck delayed: “Tesla has quietly pushed the release of the electric pickup to next year, telling you that you'll get to customise your truck when ‘production nears in 2022’.”
Don’t miss…
💩 Why is Eric such a tit for tat? Our latest episode of Persiflage is what you might kindly refer to as ‘tired and emotional’. Is Eric insane to walk away from a collection of vintage sports Rolex in favour of cheap Japanese imitators?
Decide for yourself >
🥰 Thank you. The reaction to the return of Talking Hands was overwhelming and, in this latest episode of Persiflage, we wanted to say thank you and give you some insight into why it’s been so long and, more importantly, what we’re planning next.
Have a listen >
🙌🏻 The return of Talking Hands. That’s right, it’s back. We found an unpublished episode on the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo recorded way back in 2015.
Watch the best watch review show on the inter webs >
Welcome to the weekend, folks. 🍸