By Tabitha Areba

Giorgio Armani, Samsung Electronics and Microsoft have launched the new Giorgio Armani-Samsung smartphone.

The smartphone was designed by Giorgio Armani, President and CEO of Giorgio Armani SpA, as he did with the first Giorgio Armani Samsung mobile in 2007 and the Emporio Armani Samsung "Night Effect" mobile last year.

The new smartphone makes its debut with more powerful functions and superior usability.

The next rendition of this style and technology partnership includes a Microsoft Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system, a unique two step tilt hinge form factor with full touch screen and QWERTY keyboard hybrid and a 3.5 inch ultra brilliant display.

The smartphone is part of an innovative brand alliance of portable electronics and household products by Giorgio Armani and Samsung Electronics.

A modern cell phone

This phone stands out due to both the innovative blend of Giorgio Armani’s refined style and Samsung Electronics’ cutting-edge technology.

"Today more than ever, elegant dressing is part of daily business life. When Samsung asked me to design the new business and lifestyle smartphone, I decided to use my fashion aesthetic to create it," he said.

"I aim to create a smartphone which is not only an elegant tool, but also functional and useful, perfect for today’s managers.

The result is a unique smartphone perfectly suited to every moment of one’s business and private day," Armani said.

This is the Armani aesthetic. It combines beauty with function in a simple and timeless way.

This latest-generation mobile combines experience in technology with a design from one of the world’s best designers, and the functions offered by Windows Mobile 6.5 operating system.

He said the Giorgio Armani-Samsung smartphone is a demonstration of their commitment to offering customers cutting-edge technology, along with exclusive design and fashion.

"Mobile phones armed with Windows Mobile bring together the best of the Web, the PC, and mobile phones so that people can connect instantly to the experiences they care about," said Mr Steve Ballmer, CEO of Microsoft Corp.

"But people want more than just a useful device. They want a phone that offers design qualities that match their personality and lifestyle.

The new Giorgio Armani-Samsung smartphone combines technology innovation and fashion to deliver a great mobile phone that also fulfills the desire for style and elegance."

The new design is designed for specific European markets.